Echizen Ōno-jō

Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast


Atop a hill overlooking the town, this little yamashiro (mountain castle) is a true delight, even if it is a replica and you have to climb all those stairs. The castle was originally built in 1576; today's version went up in 1968 to exacting specifications. The views of the unspoilt surrounding valleys and mountains are something special, and they're worth the climb even if you don't go into the castle.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast attractions

1. Fukui Dinosaur Museum

6.73 MILES

Kids love the larger-than-life replicas and fossilised relics of the Jurassic Park–styled Fukui Dinosaur Museum, one of the three largest museums of its…

2. Daihonzan Eihei-ji

8.59 MILES

In 1244 the great Zen master Dōgen (1200–53), founder of the Sōtō sect of Zen Buddhism, established Eihei-ji, the 'Temple of Eternal Peace', in a forest…

3. Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Ruins

10.51 MILES

Designated a national historic site, this out-of-the-way place features one of the largest town ruins in Japan, dating from the early 15th century. It's…

4. Yokokan Garden

15.55 MILES

This quaint garden, formerly a mansion of the Matsudaira clan, has a pretty teahouse where you can sit in silence and contemplate life, or feed the…

5. Zenshō-ji

23.81 MILES

The Daishōji Station area is crammed with temples, including Zenshō-ji, which houses more than 500 amusingly carved Buddhist arhat sculptures.

6. Kutaniyaki Porcelain Art Museum

23.86 MILES

Stunning examples of bright and colourful local porcelain are on display here, about an eight-minute walk from Daishōji Station.

7. Motorcar Museum of Japan

25.13 MILES

You're likely to be a little astounded by this collection of more than 500 pristine Japanese (and foreign) vehicles housed over three floors, in a massive…

8. Tōjinbō

27.08 MILES

Legend says that these rock formations 25km northwest of Fukui came about when Tōjinbō, an evil priest, was cast off the cliff by angry villagers in 1182;…