Maruoka Castle Audio Guide

An original keep with stone‑tile roofing

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Overview

Maruoka Castle in Sakai, Fukui, is famous for being the only castle in the Hokuriku region with an original surviving keep. It is traditionally attributed to Shibata Katsutoyo, a nephew of Shibata Katsuie, and has a history of roughly 400 years. In this heavy‑snow region, the keep’s roof is covered with stone tiles, giving it a distinctive, rugged presence. The keep collapsed in the 1948 Fukui earthquake but was rebuilt using many original materials—making it a rare place where you can experience the atmosphere of an old keep and also learn the story of its preservation.

Access

By car, it’s roughly two hours south of Kanazawa and about one hour from the Komatsu area. The nearest major station is JR Awaraonsen; from there, access by bus or taxi is straightforward. A newly developed tourist information center near the site can be a helpful starting point.

Parking

A free parking area sits close to the castle, and the walk to the keep takes only a few minutes on well‑maintained paths. On weekends or peak travel periods the area can be busy, so coming earlier in the day is wise.

Highlights

Inside the keep, look for small corner rooms and spaces tucked under the gables, plus the decorative “gegyo” (a fish‑shaped talisman believed to protect against fire). The stairs are extremely steep—around 65–67 degrees—making the climb feel like an adventure. You can also learn about the earthquake damage (including preserved ornaments) and enjoy local culture such as Echizen‑ori textiles, sometimes featured as a unique souvenir element on tickets.