CastleFlatland castle (hirajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 134
What makes this castle distinctive
The main enclosure, still ringed by its Edo-period stone walls and moat, is now home to the Fukui Prefectural Government.
Why?
After 1868 the castle buildings were torn down and the outer moats were gradually filled in, but the stone walls and inner moat of the main enclosure survived. The prefectural government was built inside that enclosure, so people heading to the prefectural offices cross the castle moat every day. The keep's stone base and the Fuku-no-i well sit right next to the government buildings and are open to all.[3][8][14]
The northwest corner of the main enclosure, on and beside the keep base west of the prefectural government building.
What to look at
The stone walls of the keep base, and the roofed well called Fuku-no-i beside it.
Why it's interesting
A large keep with four roofs and five floors once stood here, but it burned in the great fire of 1669 and was never rebuilt. The nearby Fuku-no-i is a well thought to date back to the castle's construction, and one theory says it gave Fukui its name. In 2017 its stonework and frame were returned to their size before the 1948 Fukui earthquake.[2][3][4][8]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideFree and open to all. A gentle staircase on the east side leads up onto the keep base.
The west side of the main enclosure, at the far end of Oroka-bashi bridge.
What to look at
The two-story turret gate, the smaller roofed gate, the earthen wall joining them into a square court (masugata), and the stone-tiled roofs.
Why it's interesting
This gate guarded the west side of the main enclosure, and Fukui Prefecture rebuilt it in 2018. Its form was worked out from old photographs and maps, marks left on the stone walls, and excavation. The roof tiles are made of Shakudani stone, quarried locally on Mt. Asuwa. The upper floor of the turret gate is open free of charge (at the 2018 opening, panels there explained the gate's history and restoration).[1][6][9]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe gate can be passed through at any time. The turret interior is open 7:00–18:00, free (may close temporarily in bad weather).
Over the inner moat on the west side, linking Fukui Central Park to Yamazatoguchi Gate.
What to look at
The wooden bridge enclosed by walls and a roof, and its reflection in the moat.
Why it's interesting
The domain lord is thought to have crossed this bridge on his way from his residence in the west outer enclosure to the main enclosure. It was rebuilt in 2008 based on a photograph from the early Meiji era. It is lit up every day from sunset until 22:00.[1][4][5]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideOpen to walk across at any time.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
5 min walk from JR Fukui Station
Climb
No climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 40 minutes for the castle site alone; around 2.5 hours if you add Shibata Shrine and the city history museum.
Admission
Free
Hours
7:00–18:00 (the gate passage itself is open at all hours, though it may be restricted in snow or ice)
Access
Open to visitors
The castle site (stone walls, inner moat, keep base, Fuku-no-i well, Oroka-bashi and Yamazatoguchi Gate) is free to visit at any time. The buildings inside the main enclosure are government offices, not castle exhibits. The Yamazatoguchi turret is open 7:00–18:00. The Next 100 Castles stamp is at the first-floor reception of the prefectural government building (weekdays 8:30–17:15). When the building is closed, use the intercom at the after-hours entrance on the southwest side and you can stamp in front of the security office (according to the prefecture's published answer; check the latest arrangements with the prefecture).
This area was once the site of Kitanosho Castle, built by Shibata Katsuie, one of Oda Nobunaga's leading generals. In 1583 Katsuie lost to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and died in the castle together with his wife, Oichi. Later, Yuki Hideyasu boldly reshaped those remains to build Fukui Castle. Part of Kitanosho Castle can be seen as excavated remains at Kitanosho Castle Site and Shibata Park near Fukui Station.[10][11]
02
Historical record
Built by Ieyasu's second son
Fukui Castle was built by Yuki Hideyasu, second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the first lord of the Fukui domain (han). Work began in 1601 and the castle was finished around 1606. Tradition says Ieyasu himself designed the layout. It was a flatland castle ringed by several water-filled moats, and its main enclosure (honmaru) was crowned by a keep (tenshu) with four roofs and five floors.[3][8][13]
03
Tradition
From Kitanosho to Fukui
The castle and town were first called Kitanosho, literally "north estate." Matsudaira Tadamasa, the third lord, is said to have renamed it Fukui (written 福居, "fortunate dwelling") in 1624, because the character for "north" also appears in the word for "defeat." The characters later changed to 福井 ("fortunate well"), which became the name of today's city and prefecture. One theory links the name to the Fuku-no-i well beside the keep base.[8][2]
04
Historical record
The keep burned; the walls and inner moat survived
In the great fire of 1669 the keep burned along with many turrets and gates, and it was never rebuilt. Afterward, the Hitsujisaru turret in the southwest corner and the Tatsumi turret in the southeast are thought to have served in its place. After 1868 the turrets and gates were torn down and the many layers of moats were filled in bit by bit, but the stone walls and inner moat of the main enclosure remain. In the 1948 Fukui earthquake, the walls of the main enclosure collapsed in many places.[2][3]
05
Historical record
Restoration around the prefectural offices
Today the Fukui Prefectural Government, the prefectural assembly and the prefectural police headquarters stand inside the main enclosure. Around them, the prefecture has been bringing back parts of the castle step by step: Oroka-bashi bridge in 2008, the Fuku-no-i well in 2017 and Yamazatoguchi Gate in 2018. It is now working to rebuild in wood the Hitsujisaru turret, which stood until the early Meiji era, along with the earthen wall on the west side of the main enclosure; in fiscal 2025 this included reinforcing the stone walls and excavating the site.[3][1][5][2][14]
Yamazatoguchi Gate is restored (opening ceremony on March 24)[1]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
Keep lost
The four-roofed, five-floor keep burned in 1669 and was never rebuilt. Only its stone base remains.
The site today
The stone walls and inner moat of the main enclosure survive, and inside it stand the prefectural government, assembly and police headquarters. The outer enclosures have become city streets. The castle site is free to visit and connects to Fukui Central Park on the west via Oroka-bashi bridge.
Yamazatoguchi Gate (turret gate, roofed gate and wall)
Rebuilt in wood in 2018 with Shakudani-stone roof tiles. The upper floor of the turret is open free of charge.[1]
Rebuilt in wood
Oroka-bashi (roofed bridge)
Rebuilt in 2008 from an early Meiji photograph, with chestnut piers and a cypress superstructure.[5]
Original
Fuku-no-i well
A well thought to date from the castle's construction. In 2017 its stonework and frame were returned to their pre-earthquake size; the roof and bucket are new additions.[2]
Lost
Hitsujisaru and Tatsumi turrets
Rebuilt with three roofs after the 1669 fire and thought to have stood in for the keep. Torn down in the early Meiji era. Reconstruction of the Hitsujisaru turret in wood is under way.[3]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Flatland castle (hirajiro)built on flat ground, defended by moatsEditorial article
Period
Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Keep lostthe castle had a keep, but it no longer stands (its stone base may remain)Editorial article
Built by
Yuki Hideyasu, Shibata KatsuieJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1601Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Matsudaira clan, Echizen-Matsudaira clan, Shibata KatsuieJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1871Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Stone walls, Earthen ramparts, Moats, Keep base (tenshudai), Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), GatesEditorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 134Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
The castle site (stone walls, inner moat, keep base, Fuku-no-i well, Oroka-bashi and Yamazatoguchi Gate) is free to visit at any time. The buildings inside the main enclosure are government offices, not castle exhibits. The Yamazatoguchi turret is open 7:00–18:00. The Next 100 Castles stamp is at the first-floor reception of the prefectural government building (weekdays 8:30–17:15). When the building is closed, use the intercom at the after-hours entrance on the southwest side and you can stamp in front of the security office (according to the prefecture's published answer; check the latest arrangements with the prefecture).
JR Fukui StationHokuriku Shinkansen, Hapi-Line Fukui and others (Echizen Railway and Fukui Railway also stop at Fukui Station)
about 5 min walk · No climb
Walk northwest from the west side of the station to reach the castle site. Yamazatoguchi Gate is about 7 minutes' walk. Fukui-jōshi-Daimyōmachi tram stop on the Fukui Railway is also about 5 minutes away.[8][9]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Hours and admission
Yamazatoguchi Gate (turret interior)
Hours
7:00–18:00 (the gate passage itself is open at all hours, though it may be restricted in snow or ice)
About 15 minutes from Fukui IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. Yamazatoguchi Gate has no dedicated parking, and the prefecture recommends public transport.[1][9]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
The castle site is open freely (no set hours)[8]Checked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 40 minutes for the castle site alone; around 2.5 hours if you add Shibata Shrine and the city history museum.
Steps, slopes and footing
A flatland castle with almost no slopes. The original stone steps up the keep base are steep (about 45 degrees), but a gentler staircase has been added on the east side.[4]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
English signs and leaflets are not confirmed. The prefecture promotes a free smartphone app (Street Museum) that shows the keep, turrets and palace in CG at 15 spots.[6]
Seasons
Cherry blossoms are the highlight in spring. The stone walls from the front of the government building to the west side, and Oroka-bashi, are lit every evening from sunset to 22:00 (the lights switch to the cherry trees in blossom season).[4][5][10]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
Work is under way to rebuild the Hitsujisaru turret and the west wall of the main enclosure. In fiscal 2025 this included a temporary work yard, excavation and reinforcing the stone walls. Check the prefecture's construction updates (issue 3 was published in June 2026).[3][15]Checked: 2026-10-03
Suggested routes
Fukui City's model walk around the castle site 155 min
Start at Dinosaur Plaza by the west exit of Fukui Station
Shibata Shrine (site of Kitanosho Castle) and its small museum
Pass the Meidokan school site and Sakaenoyashiro Shrine to Fukui Central Park
Cross Oroka-bashi bridge and pass through Yamazatoguchi Gate
See the keep base and the Fuku-no-i well at the castle site
Fukui City History Museum and the Yokokan Garden, a designated Place of Scenic Beauty
Return to Fukui Station by way of Uchibori Park beside the inner moat
Based on the model course on Fuku-iro, Fukui City's official tourism site, which leaves the station at 10:00 and returns at 12:35, including time inside the museum and garden.
The spot where remains of Shibata Katsuie's Kitanosho Castle were excavated. Shibata Shrine honors Katsuie and Oichi, and has a small Kitanosho Castle museum (9:00–17:00). A few minutes' walk from Fukui Station.[11][10]
City museum holding records of the Matsudaira lords of Fukui, next to Yokokan Garden, about 15 minutes' walk from Fukui Station. Open 9:00–19:00 (until 17:00 from November 6 to the end of February); regular exhibits 220 yen.[12]
Garden of a villa of the Matsudaira lords of Fukui, just east of the city history museum. A combined ticket with the museum costs 350 yen.[10][12]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Editors' guide
An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.
Who will enjoy it
Good for anyone wanting a castle just a short walk from the station, fans of stone walls and moats, and those curious how a castle fits into a modern city. An easy stop for travelers on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
What makes it interesting
The keep base with the Fuku-no-i well, and the stretch on the west side from Oroka-bashi to Yamazatoguchi Gate. Walking through the wooden bridge and gate, both rebuilt from old photographs, you follow the route the lord took into the main enclosure. The view of the stone walls across the inner moat, with the prefectural offices on top, is unique to Fukui.
Before you go
The keep has been gone since 1669, and most buildings were torn down in the Meiji era. The buildings in the main enclosure are working government offices, busy with staff and visitors on weekdays. Reconstruction of the Hitsujisaru turret is under way, so some areas may be fenced off.
Ways to enjoy it
Go up into Yamazatoguchi Gate's turret to look down on the gate court and Oroka-bashi, then cross the bridge again to see how the gate's defenses work. The walls and bridge are lit after dark, so an evening visit works well. If you have time, add Shibata Katsuie's Kitanosho Castle site at Shibata Shrine to compare two castles from different eras on the same ground.
Photos
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Open questions
Prefectural materials give completion as around 1606, while the Japan Castle Foundation list gives 1601 (the start of construction).
The prefecture gives the keep's height as about 30 m, while Fukui City's tourism site says 37 m including the stone base.
The reasons for renaming Kitanosho, and the story that the Fuku-no-i well gave Fukui its name, are traditions with several competing explanations.
We could not confirm any national or prefectural historic-site designation for the castle (the Japan Castle Foundation list shows none).
The after-hours stamp arrangement comes from a prefectural reply to a 2018 inquiry, and current practice is not confirmed. Accessibility, toilet locations, English signage and photo rules could not be confirmed either.
藤谷良秀(Fujitani Yoshihide)CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
