[2025 Ono Attraction] Travel Guide for Echizen Ono Castle (Updated Jul)

After three attempts, I finally managed to visit Ono Castle, one of Japan's three famous 'castles in the sky.' During my previous trip to the Hokuriku region, I had planned to visit while staying in Fukui and Kaga Onsen, but had to give up due to oversleeping and bad weather. This time, rain was forecasted again, but fortunately, it only started in the afternoon, allowing me to visit the castle in the morning without any issues. The castle is about an hour away from Fukui Station by local train. I visited a week ago, and now, due to heavy rain, all train services in the area have been suspended, making it temporarily inaccessible. I guess I was lucky to visit when I did. Hoping for a speedy recovery of the area. From Echizen-Ono Station (commonly referred to as Ono Station), it takes about 40 minutes on foot to reach Ono Castle. However, there is a 100-yen community bus that runs from the station to the castle entrance, saving about 15 minutes of walking time. True to its reputation as a 'castle in the sky,' the castle is located atop a mountain, requiring a 2-kilometer hike. There are two routes: a staircase path and a flat trail. The staircase path gets you to the main keep about 7 minutes faster. Similar to Takeda Castle in Hyogo Prefecture and Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in Okayama Prefecture, Ono Castle transforms into the 'Machu Picchu of the East' during specific mornings when viewed from a spot on the opposite mountain. If you're not traveling by rental car, staying overnight in Ono City might be a good option, as there are activities centered around viewing the 'castle in the sky.' I was content with taking photos of the displayed pictures taken by others at the main keep. On the day of my visit, a group of kindergarteners was on a field trip, exploring the castle with curious eyes, snapping photos with iPads, and having a great time. On my way down, I retraced my steps since it was my first time visiting. I had memorized the route of the 100-yen bus, but decided to walk back to the station instead. The city is well-structured with a charming castle town and several ryokans. Google Maps also marks the 'castle in the sky' viewing spots, allowing you to enjoy the scenery. I arrived at Ono Station just in time for my train. On my way back, I noticed a bicycle rental shop offering rentals for 300 yen for two hours, which I had missed earlier. It was a delightful exploration of Ono City. Thank you for reading!

#cityplaybook Echizen Ono is a charming castle town in Fukui Prefecture, often called the “Little Kyoto of Hokuriku.” With its calm streets, historical buildings, and natural spring water flowing through the town, it’s the perfect destination for a quiet and refreshing getaway. 🕰️ Toki no Kane (Bell Tower) A symbolic clock tower that chimes every hour—a nostalgic sound that echoes through the peaceful town. 💧 Serikawa Shimizu Springs You’ll find clear spring water flowing through the streets. Bring a bottle to enjoy the famously pure water, loved by locals. 🏯 Echizen Ono Castle Set atop a small mountain, this castle offers stunning views—especially when the morning fog makes it appear to float in the sky like a “castle in the clouds.” Why I recommend this area: ・A serene and photogenic town with a nostalgic vibe ・Famous for natural spring water and beautiful castle views 📍Echizen Ono, Fukui Prefecture #EchizenOno #CastleTownVibes #HiddenGemsJapan #SerikawaShimizu #FukuiTravel #JapanSlowTravel #CityPlaybook

#springitinerary Echizen Ono Castle is one of those places that feels like a hidden treasure. Tucked away in the mountains of Fukui Prefecture, this castle isn’t as well-known as others, but it’s definitely worth the visit. The castle tower sits on top of a hill, giving you some seriously stunning views of the surrounding countryside, especially during the fall when the leaves change color. The castle itself is pretty cool, it’s small but packed with history and has that classic, traditional Japanese castle vibe. You can climb to the top for an even better view, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it a great spot for a relaxed afternoon. The area around the castle is also full of charm, with old streets and a few temples to explore. If you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path castle experience, Echizen Ono is the perfect mix of history, nature, and serenity.

#Spring0yenTrip Echizen Ono Castle in Fukui Prefecture, known as the "Castle in the Sky," is a popular spot for its fantastical appearance floating in a sea of ​​clouds! In the early autumn mornings, you may encounter a painting-like scene of the sea of ​​clouds and the castle. The surrounding castle town is filled with charming townhouses and alleyways, making it a fun place to take a leisurely stroll! Meanwhile, Mikuniminato Station, with its cute retro station building, is a must-see spot for railway fans, with its irresistible retro feel that evokes the scent of the Meiji era. The townscape of Mikunino, which you can walk to from there, is also filled with historical buildings and scenery unique to a port town, perfect for a nostalgic mood! And don't forget Fukui's specialty, "taro croquette"! With an exquisite balance of fluffy and sticky, it makes a great snack. You can get it at long-established stores and direct sales outlets in Mikunino, so if you get hungry, be sure to try it while you're walking around! 📍Basic information (check the official website of each facility for the latest information) ✴︎Echizen Ono Castle: 3-109, Shiromachi, Ono City, Fukui Prefecture 　Access: 30 minutes on foot from JR Echizen Ono Station / 10 minutes by car ✴︎Mikuni Port Station: 2-chome Kitahonmachi, Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture 　Access: Terminal station of Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line ✴︎Fee: Echizen Ono Castle admission fee 300 yen (high school students and above) ✴︎Opening hours: Echizen Ono Castle is 9:00-17:00 (closed in winter) A local trip to Fukui packed with nature, history and gourmet food. It's recommended for a slightly adult wandering trip where you can enjoy both photogenic and gourmet food!

Are you still worried about what to do in Japan? This hidden gem of Fukui Prefecture is worth a visit! Here is my 2-day tour guide for Fukui, write it down quickly~ 🗓Itinerary: [Fire]Day1: Tojinbo - Eiheiji - Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum [Sun] Tojinbo: This is a unique landform formed by sea erosion. The huge columnar jointed rocks stand on the seashore, which is super spectacular. Stroll along the coastline, listen to the sound of waves hitting the rocks, feel the wonders of nature, take beautiful photos, and create blockbuster movies in minutes. [Sun] Eiheiji Temple: One of the largest Zen temples in Japan, the temple architecture is simple and elegant, and the environment is quiet. Walking through it, you can feel a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere that makes people calm down. Remember to follow the temple rules. [Sun] Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum: A must-visit for dinosaur fans! There are a lot of dinosaur fossils and models here, showing all kinds of knowledge about dinosaurs, as well as an interactive experience area, which is very suitable for bringing children. The appearance of the museum is also unique, like a huge dinosaur egg. [Fire]Day2: Echizen Oono Castle - Awara Onsen Echizen Oono Castle: One of the 100 famous castles in Japan, the castle building is well preserved. Climbing up the tower, you can overlook the entire Ono City and learn a lot of historical stories about Japan's Warring States Period. [Sun] Awara Onsen: You must be tired after two days of fun, so take a dip in Awara Onsen. The hot spring water here is of very good quality, and there are many hot spring pools with different functions. After soaking in the hot springs, my whole body feels relaxed and I can sleep well at night. 🍲Food Recommendation Echizen crab: The Echizen crab in Fukui is delicious and plump. Whether it is steamed or made into hot pot, it is super delicious. A must-try! Mackerel sushi: A local specialty, the marinated mackerel is paired with soft and sticky rice for a unique taste. Fukui Ramen: Different from ramen in other places, Fukui ramen has its own characteristics, with chewy noodles and rich soup. 🛏Accommodation suggestions You can choose to live in Fukui City, where transportation is more convenient. If you like to soak in hot springs, you can also choose a hotel near Awara Hot Spring, which is more convenient. 📝Note tips: Japan's public transportation is relatively complicated. It is recommended to download relevant transportation apps in advance to facilitate the query of train schedules and routes. Please observe etiquette in places such as temples and do not make loud noises. When taking a hot spring bath, please be sure to follow the hot spring regulations, such as rinsing your body before taking a hot spring bath.

Fukui Cafe ☕️🍰gelateria CICCI 𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼 I found a delicious looking gelato shop in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture! I went there because I wanted to eat juicy, refreshing gelato, not too thick like ice cream, but not too crunchy. The surrounding area is like a castle town, and the exterior of the shop blends in with the atmosphere of the town, but it had a nice atmosphere.~🫶 Walking around the castle town is nice too! I ordered the two I was aiming for after seeing the lineup for the day introduced on Instagram. ✾I got a double kiwi and plum💓 Oh~👏The plums are in there, even the skin, so it's definitely delicious. The slight sourness is like a fresh, smooth smoothie😳!! ! ! The kiwi has a sweetness and a bitterness? Both of them are super delicious🤭 The gelato has a strong fruity feel, and is irresistible for fruit lovers🍨 All the way from Ishikawa to Fukui for ice cream? I thought maybe I was a little too excited, but I'm glad I went~💓 I'm happy to have found a shop that I definitely want to go back to... There are comfortable seats inside the shop, and it's great to have delicious gelato as a break after walking around the town🙌 There's also a space for children to play, so I recommend it as a casual place to go! I'll go again! Thank you for the meal🙏 ✣✣–––––––––––––––✣✣✣✣––––––––––––––✣✣ 🈺⌇11:00-16:00💤⌇Tuesdays and Wednesdays🅿️⌇Available　※For details, please see Instagram💰⌇Cashless payment available○ Recommended nearby spots📍Dinosaur Museum 　　　　　　　　　　　Ono Castle ✣✣–––––––––––––––✣✣✣✣––––––––––––––✣✣...#FukuiPrefecture #FukuiGourmet #FukuiCafe#FukuiTourism #FukuiTrip #FukuiDate #FukuiDinosaurMuseum #GelatoSpecialtyStore #CafeHop#Cafe #aug_trip