Maruoka Castle丸岡城

The keep (天守) is a small watchtower-style building on a rough stone base, built in 1576 by Shibata Katsutoyo, nephew of Shibata Katsuie, the lord of Echizen. Later dating puts the keep in the early Edo period, so the claim that it is the oldest of the twelve is debated. It is a National Important Cultural Property.

It collapsed in the 1948 Fukui earthquake and was rebuilt from its own timbers and stones in 1955. The roof is covered in stone tiles (石瓦), cut from shakudani stone, which is why the building looks grey and heavy against the snow.

Sakai City is strengthening the keep against earthquakes and repairing its roof, walls and third-floor balustrade. During the works the keep can carry scaffolding and a protective sheet, and a full-size printed image of the keep has hung on it. See the repair dates below.

Parts of the honmaru can be fenced off, and the temporary opening dates have changed month by month, so look at the castle’s news page before you go.

The museum is named after a note a Maruoka samurai, Honda Shigetsugu, is said to have sent his family from camp: “Ikkitsu keijō, hi no yōjin, Osen nakasuna, uma koyase” (一筆啓上 火の用心 お仙泣かすな 馬肥やせ), “Writing to tell you: mind the fire, don’t make Osen cry, feed the horse.” Osen is usually explained as his small son’s childhood name.

Entry to the museum is in the castle ticket; I could not confirm its own opening hours or what is on show, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to come.

About 400 Somei-yoshino cherry trees ring the castle mound, and Maruoka is one of Japan’s Top 100 cherry blossom spots. The Maruoka Castle Sakura Festival runs in April, usually with lanterns and evening lighting.

With the repair cover on the keep, the 2027 blossom may look different from the photograph: the trees will be there, the building may not be fully visible. Check the festival dates in March.