Fukui Castle

Fukui Castle has an amazing complex of moats and stone walls to rival some of the largest castles in Japan. Unfortunately, no buildings remain, but the city has put significant effort into rebuilding the bridge and gate complex you see in the photos below, even to the point of using crowdfunding to

History

Yuki Hideyasu, the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, was awarded the area of Kitanosho for his efforts in the Battle of Sekigahara. Hideyasu built his castle just to the North of Shibata's Kitanosho Castle. In 1624 Matsudaira Tadamasa became lord of Kitanosho and renamed it Fukui. The 4 level 5 story main keep burned down in a great fire in 1669 but the castle itself existed until the Meiji Restoration.

Field Notes

Fukui Castle has an amazing complex of moats and stone walls to rival some of the largest castles in Japan. Unfortunately, no buildings remain, but the city has put significant effort into rebuilding the bridge and gate complex you see in the photos below, even to the point of using crowdfunding to gather donations to get the job done. Next, there is also a somewhat controversial plan to rebuild the three story Hitsujisaru Yagura. The controversy comes in that they cannot build it the original height due to building codes in the area today and there is a lack of shakudani-ishi for the roof tiles. Shakudani-ishi roof tiles would be amazing if they could do it. They turn a lavish blue/green color that was priced by people of the time. I would love to see such a building again!

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Gallery

Rokabashi, covered bridge
Yamazato Entrance Gate
Toneri Gate

More Galleries and Feature Pages

Kokuin

(37 photos)

Castle Profile
English Name	Fukui Castle
Japanese Name	福井城
Founder	Yuki Hideyasu
Year Founded	1601
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Next 100 Castles
Historical Period	Edo Period
Artifacts	Dorui, Ishigaki, Gates, Bridges, Tenshudai
Features	gates, bridges, samurai homes, water moats, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Fukui Sta. (Hokuriku Line), 5 minute walk
Hours
Time Required
Location	Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
Coordinates	36.06495, 136.22184
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2006
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2006, 2023
Admin Visits	June 13, 2006; May 1, 2023

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