Ichijodaniyama Castle

History

See Ichijodani: A Sengoku Period Castle Town for a detailed history and guide to Ichijodani.

Visit Notes

There are three trails to the top of the mountain. The most convenient ones for visitors by foot are probably the Umadashi Trail that starts on the north end of the castle near the Hachiman Shrine and the other is from behind the Asakura Yakata starting from near the Eirinzuka. With an elevation gain of 440m (according to my GPS) all the way to the highest point, this is one of the higher climbs I've done to get to a castle.

I'm not sure if it was from the recent rains or if this area, famous for its natural springs, is always like this, but the trail was very wet, muddy and slippery the whole way. Near the top I passed a middle-aged couple who looked like they had just stepped off the golf course in their Sunday drive outfits, covered in mud from feet to knees and hands to elbows. No hiking boots or trekking poles. They had started about 30 minutes before me, but were in good spirits when we found out it was almost the summit.

It's a good steep climb but the trails are well maintained and easy to follow with plenty of signs. I still recommend good hiking shoes and a trekking pole. There are also signs warning of bears so a bear bell is also recommended. This last point of advice was also strongly reiterated to me when I rented my bicycle and said my first destination was the mountain castle.

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Gallery

Senjojiki Bailey
Trail up the mountain
Trailhead - beware of bears!
South end of the valley, incl Kamikido
View from the Tonoi Bailey
Tonoi Bailey
Entrance to Tonoi Bailey
Unejo Tatebori trenches
You can easily see the Uneno tatebori on this map
Trail to Third Bailey
Second Bailey
Sannomaru Bailey
Sannomaru Bailey
Sannomaru Bailey
Sannomaru Bailey
Kannon Yashiki Bailey
Kannon Yashiki Bailey
Senjojiki Bailey

Castle Profile
English Name	Ichijodaniyama Castle
Japanese Name	一乗谷山城
Alternate Names	Ichijo-jo
Founder	Asakura Takakage
Year Founded	1471
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site, Special Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Fukui Sta. (Hokuriku Line), 25min bus; or, Ichijodani Sta (Etsumihoku Line), walk
Visitor Information	Museums are open 9am-5pm; closed 12/28-1/4; museum is 100yen admission, reconstructed town is 210yen
Time Required	240 mins
Website	https://fuku-iro.jp/feature/11
Location	Fukui, Fukui Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 59' 41.96" N, 136° 18' 33.44" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2023
Admin Visits	May 1-2, 2023
Friends of JCastle
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