Echizen Ono Castle

Echizen Ono Castle was a castle in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture. Until the Meiji era, it served as the seat of the Ono Domain government. The keep was reconstructed in the Showa era, but in 2017 it was selected as one of Japan’s "Continued Top 100 Castles" (No. 138). Promoted with the nickname "Echizen Ono Castle, the Castle in the Sky," it has become popular among younger travelers as a photogenic spot where the castle appears to float above a sea of clouds. To see the cloud sea, you need to go to the area below the Minami-demaru of Inuyama (Inuyama Castle Ruins, a city-designated cultural property) at an elevation of about 324 meters, which requires a hike on foot. While it’s only about 20 minutes—more like a short hike than full-scale mountaineering—the footing can be rough, so sneakers or other walkable shoes are recommended. There are no toilets, and there is a possibility of encountering bears or wild boars, so bring drinks and be prepared. The castle itself stands on Kameyama (elevation 249 meters). Inside the keep, relics and items connected to successive lords are displayed. To reach Echizen Ono Castle, it takes about 30 minutes on foot from JR Echizen-Ono Station.