Perched on a hill overlooking the city of Ono in Fukui, Japan, Echizen Ono Castle is also known as the "castle in the clouds" because it is covered in mist all year round. It is estimated that about 10 times a year the castle appears above the drifting clouds like a scene from a fairy tale.
The reason why there are so many clouds here is because of the humid weather, the large temperature difference between day and night, and the wind-blocking terrain. Autumn and spring are the two suitable times to "watch" for the appearance of the castle, and you can only see this castle most clearly between sunrise and about 9am.
The shogun Kanamori Nagachika built the castle on Kameyama Hill, 249 m above sea level, after he was granted the Ono district of Echizen as a reward for suppressing the rebellion of the entire Echizen region from Oda Nobunaga in 1575. The castle was later passed down through many owners, and during the Edo period (1603-1868), Doi was the last owner of the castle.
After a period of abandonment, the castle was destroyed, leaving only the stone walls. These ancient stone walls are recognized as cultural assets of Fukui Prefecture. The castle was restored in 1968, thanks to the financial contribution of General Hagiwara Sada.
