Echizen Ono Castle Town

Built on a grid pattern in 1575, Ono's castle town is called the 'Little Kyoto of Hokuriku' for its preserved machiya streets and network of clear spring-fed waterways. On autumn mornings, the hilltop castle appears to float on a sea of clouds created by temperature inversions in the surrounding basin. The morning market near the temple district has operated continuously for over 400 years.