CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 135
What makes this castle distinctive
On autumn-to-spring mornings, the castle town sinks beneath a sea of clouds and only the keep on Kameyama hill floats above it.
Why?
Ono lies in a basin ringed by mountains, and the castle sits on Kameyama, a small 249 m hill in the middle of town. When the previous day was humid, the morning is much colder than the day before, and the wind is light, clouds pool in the basin and only Kameyama rises above them. This is the "castle in the sky," seen from Mt. Inuyama about 1 km to the west.[3][4]
Below the south outwork of Mt. Inuyama (the Inuyama castle ruins, 324 m), about 1 km west of the castle. The Kuwakake trail from a side road of Route 158 takes about 20 minutes.
What to look at
The castle town wrapped in cloud, with Kameyama and its keep rising above it.
Why it's interesting
Because the castle town lies directly beneath the clouds, you can watch the mist swallow the streets and then lift to reveal them again. The best chance is from dawn to about 9:00 between October and late April, especially around November. In some seasons it was confirmed only about a dozen times, and the city itself warns visitors not to expect too much.[3][4][1]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleWeather-dependent and not visible on most days. The trail is a mountain path, and bears have been sighted nearby. Check the official live camera before going.
Around the main enclosure and keep base at the top of Kameyama.
What to look at
Walls of natural stones, barely shaped, laid flat and pushed deep into the bank, with small filler stones in the gaps.
Why it's interesting
This is nozura-zumi, an early walling style. It looks rough, but the site's information board says it could be built quickly, drains well and is very strong. The walls survived when the buildings were torn down after 1868 and are designated by Fukui Prefecture. The keep base is described as shaped like a turtle facing south with its head tilted east.[2][5]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe summit walls can be seen from outside even when the keep is closed (beware of snow in winter).
The keep in the main enclosure, now a small museum.
What to look at
Displays on the castle's lords, especially armor and belongings of the Doi family, and the view over the Ono basin from the top floor.
Why it's interesting
Today's keep was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1968, paid for by Hagiwara Tei, from a former samurai family of the Ono domain. It was designed by estimating the old appearance from period drawings and other castles of the same era, so it is not an exact restoration of the Edo-period keep. The original main keep had two roofs and three floors with a lookout; today's keep has two roofs and four floors.[2][5][6]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideOpen April to November (admission charged). Closed December to March, with occasional special openings in late March.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
40 min walk from JR Echizen-Ono Station
Climb
Steep climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 1–1.5 hours from the trailhead to the keep and back; half a day including the castle town.
Admission
Adults 400 yen; visitors with disabilities and groups of 30+ 200 yen; free for junior high school students and younger; annual pass 1,000 yen
Hours
April–September 9:00–17:00; October–November 9:00–16:00 (enter at least 30 minutes before closing)
Access
Open to visitors
The trails on Kameyama and the summit walls can be seen from outside. The keep (museum) opens only April to November and charges admission. Cars cannot drive up to the castle. The Next 100 Castles stamp is at the castle while it is open, and at the Former Uchiyama Samurai Residence (10-7 Shiromachi) during the winter closure (per the 2025–26 winter notice).
In 1575 Oda Nobunaga is said to have divided Ono district between Kanamori Nagachika and Hara Masashige, who had put down the Ikko-ikki (a militant Buddhist uprising) in Echizen, with Nagachika receiving two-thirds. From 1576 Nagachika built a castle on Kameyama, a lone hill in the Ono basin, and laid out a castle town of long, narrow blocks at its eastern foot. That street plan survives, and Ono is called the "Little Kyoto of Hokuriku."[2][5][7]
02
Historical record
Built by Nobunaga's retainer Kanamori Nagachika
The castle was completed around 1580. The summit enclosure held a main keep with two roofs, three floors and a lookout, a smaller two-story keep and the Tengu turret, while the second and third enclosures lay at the foot of the hill, ringed by a double moat and a river. Nagachika moved to Takayama in Hida in 1586, after which the castle changed hands many times.[2][5][7]
03
Historical record
The Doi lords and the great fire
In 1682 Doi Toshifusa became lord, and the Doi family ruled the Ono domain until the end of the shogunate. In 1775 a great fire in the castle town spread to the castle and burned the keep and other buildings in the main enclosure, which were rebuilt in 1795. The late-Edo lord Doi Toshitada is remembered for founding domain schools, sending settlers to Ezo (Hokkaido) and opening a chain of domain-run shops called Onoya across Japan to repair the domain's finances.[5][7][8]
04
Historical record
Buildings sold off; stone walls remained
In 1872, after the Meiji Restoration, the main enclosure was auctioned off to more than 20 merchants and others, and the castle buildings were torn down. What remained were the stone walls and parts of the moats. Tradition says the Hato-mon, main gate of the second enclosure, became the gate of Komyoji Temple, and the Akazu-no-mon of the main enclosure became the gate of Shinjoji Temple; both still stand in town.[8][5][6]
05
Historical record
A keep rebuilt by donation in 1968
In 1968 a keep was rebuilt on the summit with a donation from Hagiwara Tei, a descendant of a former samurai family. It was built in reinforced concrete based on an estimate of the old appearance, and inside is a museum of the lords' belongings. The stone walls are a Fukui Prefecture designated cultural property, and in 2017 the castle was named one of the Next 100 Fine Castles of Japan.[2][5][9]
The keep is rebuilt with Hagiwara Tei's donation[2][5]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
Modern reconstruction
A "revival keep" (the official term) built in reinforced concrete in 1968. Its design was estimated from drawings and contemporary castles, so it is not an exact restoration of the original two-roof, three-floor keep with a lookout. The present keep has two roofs and four floors, joined to a smaller two-story keep.
The site today
Kameyama hill is now park-like, with the rebuilt keep (a museum) and original stone walls on the summit. The old castle town spreads at its foot, and gates moved from the castle survive as temple gates.
Said to be the main gate of the second enclosure. Its upper floor has been rebuilt as a bell tower.[6]
Original, relocated
Akazu-no-mon (now the gate of Shinjoji Temple)
Said to be a gate of the main enclosure. It bears the Doi family crest on its side.[6]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial article
Period
Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Modern reconstructiona keep rebuilt in the 20th century or later; shape or position may differ from the originalEditorial article
Built by
Kanamori NagachikaJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1575Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Kanamori Nagachika, Matsudaira clan, Doi clan, Kanamori clan, Hasegawa Hidekazu, Aoki Kazunori, Hideo OdaJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1873Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Stone walls, Moats, Gates, Earthen ramparts, Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
Fukui Prefecture designated cultural property (stone walls)Editorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 135Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
The trails on Kameyama and the summit walls can be seen from outside. The keep (museum) opens only April to November and charges admission. Cars cannot drive up to the castle. The Next 100 Castles stamp is at the castle while it is open, and at the Former Uchiyama Samurai Residence (10-7 Shiromachi) during the winter closure (per the 2025–26 winter notice).
JR Echizen-Ono StationJR Etsumi-Hoku Line (Kuzuryu Line)
about 40 min walk · Steep climb
About 30 minutes on foot from the station to the trailhead, then a 10–20 minute climb to the castle. You can also take the town loop bus (Red Bus) to Yui Station and walk from there. From Fukui Station, Keifuku Bus route 55 runs to Ono.[3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Hours and admission
Echizen Ono Castle (keep museum)
Hours
April–September 9:00–17:00; October–November 9:00–16:00 (enter at least 30 minutes before closing)
Closed
December 1 to March 31 (special openings in late March depending on snow; in 2026 it opened March 20–31)
Admission
Adults 400 yen; visitors with disabilities and groups of 30+ 200 yen; free for junior high school students and younger; annual pass 1,000 yen[1][2][5]
Checked: 2026-10-03
By car / parking
Cars cannot go up to the castle. Nearby parking listed by the city: the multipurpose plaza at Echizen Ono Yui Station, Jokamachi Nishi Plaza, and Kameyama Minami No. 1 car park.[3][5]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 1–1.5 hours from the trailhead to the keep and back; half a day including the castle town.
Steps, slopes and footing
Kameyama is a 249 m hill, and the castle is a 10–20 minute climb from the trailhead. The Edo-period approach was the Hyakken-zaka slope; the other paths were laid out after 1868.[3][6]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmed (the castle is reached by hill paths)Checked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
The official website has an English page. English signage inside the keep is not confirmed.[1]
Seasons
The "castle in the sky" appears on early mornings from October to late April, especially around November. The keep is closed in winter.[4][1]
Photography
The official site marks photos of exhibits as not for reuse; other photo rules are not confirmed. Photographers heading to the Inuyama viewpoint are asked to use the designated route and respect the local village.[2][1]
Works, closures and restrictions
Bears have been sighted near the Kuwakake route on Mt. Inuyama; carry a bell or something that makes noise and avoid going alone. Do not park at the Kuwakake community hall or on village roads.[1]Checked: 2026-10-03
A samurai residence in the castle town, open to visitors. It holds the castle stamp in winter. Open 9:00–16:00 on weekdays and 9:00–17:00 on Sundays and holidays; closed Tuesdays.[1]
Shrine at the southern foot of Kameyama dedicated to Doi Toshitada; its name comes from his pen name, Ryugai.[6]
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 photographers chasing the castle above the clouds, anyone who enjoys walking an old castle town with its original street plan, and fans of rough-stone walls.
What makes it interesting
The rough-stone walls and keep base on the summit are genuine early remains, while the keep itself is a 1968 rebuild, so look at the two with their different ages in mind. The Hato-mon and Akazu-no-mon gates, moved into town, are rare surviving castle buildings worth seeking out.
Before you go
The keep is closed December to March. Cars cannot drive up, so expect a walk from the trailhead. The sea of clouds appears only on mornings with the right conditions, so if it is your goal, allow a few days in autumn or winter and check the live camera before setting out.
Ways to enjoy it
On a cloud-sea morning, view the castle from Mt. Inuyama; later in the day climb Kameyama and look back down on the town to understand how the castle commands the basin. Then stroll streets such as Shichiken-dori to enjoy the town plan Nagachika laid out.
Photos
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Open questions
Sources differ: construction began 'after 1575' (Japan Castle Foundation) or in 1576 (official timeline), with completion in 1580 (official).
As for what was rebuilt in 1795 after the 1775 fire, the city says the main enclosure was rebuilt, while other sources say the keep itself was not.
That the Hato-mon and Akazu-no-mon came from the castle is based on tradition.
We could not confirm the year of the prefectural designation, park hours, toilets, accessibility or English signage inside the keep.
Keisuke MAEDACC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
