[Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture] 6 recommended sightseeing spots in the Maruoka area where the atmosphere of a castle town remains

• Table of Contents
• Recommended sightseeing spots in the Maruoka area of ​​Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture
• 1. Maruoka Castle (Kasumigajo)
• 2. A short letter written in one stroke: The shortest letter in Japan
• 3. Shonenji Temple
• 4. Yuma Club
• 5.Eight Ribbon
• 6. Castle Hut Marco
• Access information for Sakai City and Maruoka area, Fukui Prefecture

Recommended sightseeing spots in the Maruoka area of ​​Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

The Maruoka area is an area in Sakai City facing the mountain side.

In ancient times, it has been confirmed that the Jomon people lived on this flat area of ​​the Sakai Plain, including the Funayori ruins, which are the ruins of pit dwellings from the middle of the Jomon period (4,500 years ago). Additionally, Hirayama Castle has the oldest architectural style among existing castle towers, and is home to historical spots such as Maruoka Castle, also known as Kasumigajo, and Shonenji Temple, which is connected to Akechi Mitsuhide. In this article, we will introduce six recommended tourist spots.

[Check all the tourist information in Sakai City]

1. Maruoka Castle (Kasumigajo)

Maruoka Castle is a Hirayama Castle that has the oldest architectural style among existing castle towers, and as its other name, Kasumiga Castle, stands out among the cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring, it is a fantastically beautiful castle. In 1576 during the Sengoku period, Katsuie Shibata ordered his nephew Katsutoyo to build it as a preparation for the Ikko Ikki uprising. There is a Japanese garden-style park built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the construction of Maruoka Castle, and the History and Folklore Museum exhibits items related to successive castle owners.

Please see here for details. Maruoka Castle (Kasumigajo) | Tourist Spots | Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture Tourist Guide Web Travel Navi Sakai (kanko-sakai.com)

2. A short letter written in one stroke: Japan's shortest letter house

The letter written by Honda Sakuzaemon Shigetsugu, a distinguished vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, to his wife is said to be a model of a letter that clearly and concisely conveys the business. Even though it is concise and clear, you can feel the kindness of caring for his wife and children in his short sentences. I believe that the message contained in this short sentence of only 40 characters moved the hearts of many people and resonated with them, which is why it has continued to this day. Here you can see the history of the Ichishu Keijo Award and the winning works to date.

Please see here for details. One Stroke of Letters: Japan's Shortest Letter Museum (tegami-museum.jp)

Ippitsu keijyou no yakata museum: The shortest letter in Japan

910-0231 3-10-1 Kasumicho, Maruokacho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

Thoughts contained in a short sentence of only 40 characters The letter written by Honda Sakuzaemon Shigetsugu, a distinguished vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu and known as Demon Sakusa, to his wife from his camp is said to be an example of a letter that clearly and concisely conveys the business. Even though it is concise and clear, you can feel the kindness of caring for his wife and children in his short sentences. The need to express concern for the safety of family members through letters has not changed since then. The ``Osen'' mentioned in this letter refers to the future lord of the Maruoka domain, Narishige Honda, whose childhood name was Senchiyo. The ``Japan's Shortest Letter Ippitsu Keijo Award'', which receives many entries every year, was started with the motif of a letter by Honda Sakuzaemon Shigetsugu. As a result of the collective thoughts of many people over the past 20 years, ``Ippitsukeijo: Japan's Shortest Letter House'' was born.

3. Shonenji Temple

This is the grave of Yoshisada Nitta, a loyal vassal of the Southern Court during the Nanbokucho period. Yoshisada Nitta was killed during the battle at Toumyo-ji Nawate (present-day Nittazuka, Fukui City), and his body is said to have been buried at this temple, and his belongings are preserved as temple treasures.

Shonenji Temple

910-0383 19-17 Nagasaki, Maruoka-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

This is the grave of Yoshisada Nitta, a loyal vassal of the Southern Court during the Nanbokucho period. Prefecturally designated historic site. Yoshisada Nitta was killed during the battle at Toumyoji Nawate (present-day Nittazuka, Fukui City), and his body is said to have been buried at this temple, and his belongings are preserved as temple treasures. Around 1556, Akechi Castle, the residence of Mitsuhide Akechi, was attacked by Dosan Saito and his son, and was chased out of the castle. After that, the Mitsuhide family secretly lived in poverty in front of the gates of Shonen-ji Temple for about five years starting around 1562. It is said that his wife, Hiroko, sold her black hair for money to save her husband's face. In August of the second year of Genroku (1689), Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) stopped by Shonen-ji Temple and he composed a Haiku after hearing Akechi Mitsuhide's story about marital love.

4. Yuma Club

This is a small horse riding club in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. I specialize in outdoor riding that walks around mountains and rice fields. Beginners are also welcome. Please feel free to contact us. We also sell movies, events, and riding horses.

Click here for more info! ★Yuba Club★(@yuuba_club) • Instagram photos and videos

5.Eight Ribbon

This is a Tyrolean ribbon factory that uses the largest shuttle loom (old model) in Japan. The traditional ribbon weaving technique that remains here is an attractive weaving technique that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. This is probably the only ribbon factory where you can see up close the moment when thread is transformed into Tyrolean ribbon.

Please refer here for details. EIGHT RIBBON Tyrol Ribbon Factory in Maruoka, Fukui Prefecture

6. Castle Hut Marco

Castle Goya Marco is located right next to Maruoka Castle and is a place where castle fans can get together comfortably. Several activities are available for castle fans and history buffs to enjoy Maruoka and Maruoka Castle to the fullest and experience it more deeply. Castle Hut Marco | Maruoka Castle | Fukui Prefecture (shirokoyamaruco.org)

Access information for Sakai City and Maruoka area, Fukui Prefecture

The Maruoka area can be accessed from Kyoto and Osaka in about 3 hours. For detailed access information, please see the following page.