Ichijodani Ruins

Fukui

Ichijodani, the castle-town of the Asakura, flourished 1471-1573 before that clan was defeated by Oda Nobunaga. Of the castle - actually a fortified residence (yakata) - only its foundations (this photo) and one reconstructed gate are now visible. Part of the gardens, and a few samurai and merchant houses, have been reconstructed. At its height the town housed over 10,000 people, and was a power center in this part of Japan.