Inuyama viewpoint in Ono
Echizen Ono Castle A castle and castle town wrapped in a sea of clouds, seen from Inuyama
To see Echizen Ono Castle above a sea of clouds, walk to the viewpoint on Inuyama, west of the castle. It’s a snowy winter morning, and the castle town is wrapped in mist. The wooded hill and keep seem to float above the clouds. I stop to take it all in.
This scene is set on a winter morning, with a sea of clouds and snow still lying on the mountains. I’m wearing a long navy down coat as I look toward the castle from Inuyama.
WinterA winter dawn, with snow on the landscape and a sea of clouds spread out below
The castle I found was tiny. The view was enormous.
I got out of the car and walked to the viewpoint on Inuyama. When I arrived, the first thing I saw was a sea of white clouds, with a little castle peeking above it. I kept my gloved hands clasped at my chest and simply wanted to take it all in before doing anything else.
The morning light caught the castle roof. Clouds wrapped around the wooded hill, hiding the town below. I’d imagined seeing a grand castle up close, but this view took in the surrounding mountains, too.
Walking had kept me a little warm under my coat, but the moment I stopped, I felt the morning chill. I tugged the collar of my down jacket closer and looked back at the castle. The snow and clouds were the same shade of white, but their outlines were completely different.
Before taking a photo, I caught myself wondering what to send my friend. Would “it looks like it’s above the clouds” be enough to explain it? In the end, I wanted a shot with the castle small in the frame and the mountains all around it.
If I come here with my friend next time, I want to see the castle from the town, too. The town is hidden today, which makes me all the more curious about it. I’d love to see this morning view from above, then spend time wandering through the town below.
Once I’m back in town, maybe I’ll pick up some winter detchi yōkan. I’ll keep looking at the castle a little longer, with a sweet break in town to look forward to. I set out early, and the morning turned into one I’ll want to relive whenever I look back at the photos.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
A local treat to try
Detchi yōkan
Detchi yōkan is one of Ono’s winter treats. After enjoying the morning view, I’d like to pick some up in the castle town for a sweet break.
Places I’d love to visit
A sea of clouds above the castle town
From October to around the end of April, a sea of clouds appears from around dawn until about 9 a.m. I watched the little castle above the clouds with my gloved hands clasped at my chest. I wanted to soak up the whole view, all the way to the surrounding mountains, before taking a photo.
A castle built by Kanamori Nagachika
Echizen Ono Castle was built by Kanamori Nagachika. After admiring it from a distance, I’d like to head back into town and enjoy a view of the castle from another angle.
Getting to the viewpoint for the sea of clouds
Kuwakake Course (Path to the Sky)
- Approximate walk to the viewpoint
- About 20 minutes from the entrance to the side road off National Route 158
- Elevation of Inuyama
- Inuyama (Inuyama Castle Ruins): 324m above sea level
After parking, walk up the Inuyama trail to the viewpoint below the south bailey.
The viewpoint for the sea of clouds is on Inuyama, west of the castle. I want to leave time for a walk after my morning drive, then take my time looking at the castle and mountains when I get there.
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