Ichijodani Asakura Ruins Walking Course

Ichijodani is a valley where the castle town of the Asakura clan, rulers of Echizen in the warring states era, lies at rest. Streets that were once buried in earth have been excavated and reconstructed, bringing daily life of the time back to view. Walking the quiet mountain valley, you can picture the bustle of five hundred years ago. It is a half day course recommended for history lovers. Designated a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty of Japan, it is among the finest warring era castle town ruins in the country.

Course Route

10:00 Start at the reconstructed streets Walk the lanes lined with samurai residences and townhouses, and step back into a warring era castle town. The walls and buildings of the time are reconstructed at full scale, so daily life comes across concretely.

11:00 To the Asakura residence ruins Pass through the Chinese style gate and tour the vast residence ruins that convey the clan power of the past. The setting overlooking the valley evokes the strength of the family that ruled Echizen.

12:00 Stroll the valley ruins In the excavated stone walls and well traces, feel the breath of everyday life. The ruins are wide and involve some walking, so comfortable shoes are wise.

13:00 Deepen your understanding at the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Museum Learn the history of the Asakura clan through excavated items and exhibits. Admission to the basic exhibition is 700 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high students, and 350 yen for those aged 70 and over. It opens from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30) and closes on Mondays and over the New Year period. A combined ticket with the reconstructed streets is also available and is the better value if you visit both.

14:00 View the Suwayakata garden Touch the aesthetic sense of a warring era lord at this famous garden backed by quiet mountains. The gardens remaining in the valley are designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and convey the high level of landscaping of the time.

Highlights

Walking the reconstructed streets while imagining the lives of the craftsmen and warriors of the time is the real joy of this course. The seasonal scenery of the valley is beautiful too, with fresh spring greenery and autumn colors adding charm to the ruins. Streets rebuilt at full scale are rare across the country, rewarding even those who are not history buffs.

Practical Travel Notes

Time Needed Touring the reconstructed streets, residence ruins, gardens, and museum takes about half a day. If you view the exhibits carefully, you can enjoy a full day with a lunch break in between.

Getting Around From Fukui Station, a Keifuku bus bound for the Ichijodani area is convenient for reaching the reconstructed streets. You can also walk from Ichijodani Station on the JR Etsumi-Hoku Line, but services are limited, so checking the timetable is essential. By car, each facility has parking, and you can move around the valley.

Avoiding Crowds and What to Wear The valley has plenty of shade, and the felt temperature drops depending on the season. Since there is walking involved, comfortable shoes and a seasonal jacket keep you comfortable. Visitor numbers rise in the cherry blossom and autumn color seasons, so early morning lets you walk at ease.

Budget Sense The main costs are the museum admission (700 yen for adults) plus the reconstructed streets entry and bus fares. A combined ticket is cheaper than buying each facility separately.

A Quick Tip

Gaining some background at the museum before walking the ruins helps you understand the meaning of each stone wall and makes the stroll far richer.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Restored Townscape (admission): 330 yen for general visitors, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 100 yen for those aged 70 and over. For groups of 20 or more, 260 yen for general visitors and 80 yen for elementary and junior high school students and those aged 70 and over
• Restored Townscape (opening and closing): 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30). It closes only over the New Year period (28 December to 4 January) and, unlike the museum, is open on Mondays too
• Parking: All the car parks around the ruins, including one to the north of the Restored Townscape and three to the south, are free of charge. Large buses can park at the main museum building, the Ichijodani Historic Site Park Centre, and the No. 2 and No. 3 car parks
• Rental bicycles: Bicycles can be hired at Roadside Station Ichijodani Asakura Mizu no Eki, the Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins Museum, Ichijodani Station, the south entrance to the Restored Townscape and the No. 4 car park (the former Ichijo Community Centre), which is handy for getting around the broad valley
• Enquiries: 0776-41-2330 (Asakura Family Ruins Preservation Association)
• Official information: "ICHIJO-DANI," the official portal site for the Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins / Fukui City official website, "Guide to Parking and Public Transport for the Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins"

The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Times and prices are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.