Maruoka Castle

Maruoka Castle is the only original castle keep remaining in the Hokuriku region and is widely considered the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan, dating back to 1576. The compact three-story tower sits atop a small hill and features distinctive stone-weighted roof tiles designed to withstand heavy snowfall. The castle grounds are famous for cherry blossoms in spring, with roughly 400 trees drawing visitors from across the region. The steep interior stairways give an authentic feel of feudal-era castle life. The castle is open 8:30 to 17:00 and a small museum at the base provides historical context.