The site was destroyed by Oda Nobunaga’s army during his campaign against the Asakura clan in the late 16th century.
The rapid burial of the town during the battle acted as a time capsule, preserving organic materials typically lost to decay.
The Asakura clan ruled the Echizen Province from this valley for over 100 years.
Reconstruction efforts utilized traditional carpentry techniques common to the Muromachi period.
The site layout reflects the rigid social hierarchy of the era, with specific zones allocated to merchants, artisans, and high-ranking samurai.
The Ichijodani Restored Townscape serves as a partial reconstruction of the 16th-century residential district belonging to the Asakura clan. The site occupies a portion of the original feudal ruins, which were buried in mud following the 1573 Battle of Ichijodani. Archaeological excavations conducted since 1967 revealed the layout of streets, gardens, and residential foundations. The restored section features timber-frame houses, merchant shops, and samurai residences rebuilt based on floor plans discovered in the earth. It is designated as a Special Historic Site by the Japanese government. The area allows visitors to walk through a recreated Sengoku-period urban environment. The nearby museum displays artifacts recovered from the ruins, including ceramics and lacquerware.
The main thoroughfare looking toward the hills, which captures the symmetry of the period-accurate streetscape.
Walk through the entire length of the restored street to observe the transition from merchant dwellings to samurai estates.
Visit the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Museum nearby to see original items found during excavation before touring the reconstruction.
Check weather conditions, as the gravel paths can become muddy during periods of heavy rainfall.
Do not overlook the excavation site beyond the restored section, as it provides critical context to the scale of the original city.
Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Avoid touching the wooden structures or entering restricted residential interior spaces.
