Ichijodaniyama Castle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 00:34, 7 September 2023

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

History

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

Field 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
Hours	Museums are open 9am-5pm; closed 12/28-1/4; museum is 100yen admission, reconstructed town is 210yen
Time Required	240 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Fukui, Fukui Prefecture
Coordinates	35.99499, 136.30929
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2023
Admin Visits	May 1-2, 2023
Friends of JCastle
Kojodan
Shirobito

5.00

(one vote)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Castle
-|English Name=Ichijodani Castle
+|English Name=Ichijodaniyama Castle
-|Japanese Name=一乗谷城
+|Japanese Name=一乗谷山城
-|Romaji Name=Ichijodani-jo
+|Romaji Name=Ichijodaniyama-jo
-|Alternate Names=Asakura Yakata
+|Alternate Names=Ichijo-jo
 |Founder=Asakura Takakage
 |Year Founded=1471
 |Castle Type=Mountaintop
-|Castle Condition=No main keep but other buildings
+|Castle Condition=Ruins only
-|Designations=Top 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site, Special Historic Site
+|Designations=Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site, Special Historic Site
 |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
-|Features=gates, samurai homes, water moats, trenches, stone walls, walls, castle town
+|Features=trenches, stone walls
 |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
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 |City=Fukui
 |Prefecture=Fukui Prefecture
-|Notes=Both the train to Ichijodani Sta. and the bus from Fukui Sta. only have 6 and 8 trips leaving Fukui Sta. respectively each day. There are also some travel agent sponsored bus tours and taxi tours leaving Fukui Sta. on weekends, holidays and busy periods such as during the fall colors and cherry blossoms seasons. For details about the best route for you, consult with the tourist information desk (830am-7pm daily) at Fukui Sta. They are very helpful.
+|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.
-The valley with the Asakura Family Historic Ruins are the main attraction but there are also castle ruins on the top of the mountain. To see everything, it is best to plan ahead and spend the whole day.
+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.
-Please also see the in-depth article [[Ichijodani Castle Town|Ichijodani: A Sengoku Period Castle Town]] for more insights and details combining all the albums and related castles of the Ichijodani Valley.
+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.
-|History=Asakura Takakage established his family home and castle at Ichijodani in 1471. During the Onin War, many elite and educated people escaped to Ichijodani making it the cultural center of the Echizen Province. The fifth Asakura lord, Yoshikage sided with the Ashikaga against Nobunaga. Yoshikage failed in an attempt to capture Oda Nobunaga and fled to Ohno leaving Ichijodani open to attack. Nobunaga attacked and burned Ichijodani in 1573. The castle deftly makes use of the long thin valley between two mountains. At both ends of the valley were narrow openings with strong gates that opened up into a flourishing castle town. The castle at the top of the mountain had three main baileys and numerous dry moats and earthen embankments protecting it.
+|History=See [[Ichijodani Castle Town|Ichijodani: A Sengoku Period Castle Town]] for a detailed history and guide to Ichijodani.
 |Year Visited=2023
-|AddedJcastle=2013
+|AddedJcastle=2023
 |Visits=May 1-2, 2023
-|GPSLocation=35.99949, 136.29556
+|GPSLocation=35.99499, 136.30929
 |Contributor=Eric
 |FriendsLinks={{FriendsLinks