Culture
Maruoka Castle
Bryan BaierBuilt in 1576, this hilltop castle is the oldest remaining castle in Japan
Maruoka Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle located in the Maruoka neighbourhood of the city of Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, in the Hokuriku region of Japan. It also called Kasumi-ga-jō due to the legend that whenever an enemy approaches the castle, a thick mist appears and hides it. Wikipedia
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Built in 1576, this hilltop castle is the oldest remaining castle in Japan
Maruoka Castle ('Misty Castle') in Fukui has a ghost legend - a woman who became a 'human sacrifice' when they built the castle.
Kasumigajo Park is a beautiful garden/park located at the foot of Maruoka Castle in Sakai city, Fukui. It's especially beautiful in cherry blossom season.
Fukui Prefectural Green Center (福井総合グリーンセンター, Fukui sōgō gurīnsentā) is a park with a vast recreational space and a botanical garden.
Each year from around early to mid April, the grounds of the Maruoka Castle and the neighboring Kasumigajo Park are home to the Maruoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival. There are approximately 400 sakura trees to enjoy, and they're illuminated after dark, too!
Sakai is Fukui Prefecture's second most populous city and home to Maruoka Castle, Japan's oldest remaining castle. Maruoka Castle is known as Kasumi-ga-jo, or Mist Castle, as legend has it that whenever an enemy approaches the castle, a thick mist will shroud it and prevent the castle from being seen. Today, the castle grounds is also a prime location for viewing cherry blossoms and offers a view of Maruoka town. Northwest of Sakai is are the Tojinbo cliffs that face the Sea of Japan. An amazing view will greet visitors - crashing waves against the rocks, with the picturesque blue sky seeming to stretch on forever. Exploring much of the cliffs are welcome and might lend a sense of adventure and solitude. Visitors may also savor the freshest Echizen crabs during the winter in nearby towns, served with either hot tea or cold beer. Sakai is served by the JR West and Echizen Railway lines, making it a convenient place to visit.