Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins
An entire medieval city frozen in time — the Asakura clan ruled Echizen from this valley for 103 years (1471–1573), building a city of 10,000 people. When Oda Nobunaga burned it to the ground in 1573, it was abandoned and buried. Excavations since 1967 have revealed complete urban infrastructure: streets, buildings, and gardens precisely as they were the day it burned.
2–3 hours
Reconstructed town: adults ¥330, children ¥100
Restored town: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed New Year; museum closed Mon. Grounds accessible free year-round.
Year-round
Bus from Fukui Station (35 min)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
An entire 16th-century city excavated intact — streets, wells, and garden stones in original positions
- 2
Oda Nobunaga burned it in 1573 and it was buried for 400 years — the best-preserved Sengoku city in Japan
- 3
The reconstructed samurai and merchant districts show complete Muromachi-period urban planning
Local Tips
A remarkable time-capsule — the entire castle town of the Asakura clan was burned in 1573 and buried, then excavated to reveal streets, workshops, and residences frozen in the 16th century. Walk among the reconstructed samurai residences for a genuinely atmospheric experience. Often nearly empty even in high season.
Add to your AI itinerary
Let AI build a multi-day trip around this spot.
Advertisement
More in Fukui
Awara Onsen
Fukui's most celebrated hot spring resort — a traditional geisha town discovered when a farmer struck boiling water while digging in 1883. The resort was the setting for Izumi Kyoka's novel "The Holy Man of Mt Koya" and is considered Hokuriku's most atmospheric onsen town. The Yukemuri Yokocho alley has free public foot baths and evening geisha performances.
Echizen Washi Village
The birthplace of Japanese paper (washi) — Echizen has been producing paper for 1,500 years, longer than any other region. The Papyrus Museum and Paper Village (Udatsu no Kamimachi) have 10 working paper studios where visitors can make their own sheets using 1,500-year-old techniques. Echizen paper is used for official government documents and National Treasure restoration.
Eiheiji Temple
The head training monastery of Soto Zen Buddhism — founded by Dogen Zenji in 1244, still home to 150–200 trainee monks undergoing rigorous daily practice. The 70 temple buildings are connected by wooden corridors through ancient cedar forest. Visitors enter freely but must observe strict silence — this is a living, active monastery, not a museum.