Fukui Prefecture Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Museum

Learn about the history and life of the Muromachi period through the vestiges left behind in these precious ruins

  • Cultural Spaces
  • The Asakura residence was the residence of the head of the Asakura clan, located in Ichijodani Castle Town, and was the central political facility of Echizen Province. A part of it has been reproduced in full size.

  • In addition to the building itself, you can experience the courtyard, pond garden, and other spaces that were created to welcome guests from the capital, bringing together the best of culture.

    In addition to the building itself, you can experience the courtyard, pond garden, and other spaces that were created to welcome guests from the capital, bringing together the best of culture.

  • The Jūniken room was built in the meeting hall that welcomed the future 15th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki. The three armor and decorative metal fittings were also reproduced using techniques from 450 years ago.

    The Jūniken room was built in the meeting hall that welcomed the future 15th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki. The three armor and decorative metal fittings were also reproduced using techniques from 450 years ago.

  • Basic Exhibition Room: Comprised of 1.7 million excavated items, including nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. You can take a close look at the evidence of life at that time.

    Basic Exhibition Room: Comprised of 1.7 million excavated items, including nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. You can take a close look at the evidence of life at that time.

  • The various craftsmen seen in the excavated materials are reproduced in illustrations. In addition to the artifacts, the presence of people can be felt in the exhibition space.

    The various craftsmen seen in the excavated materials are reproduced in illustrations. In addition to the artifacts, the presence of people can be felt in the exhibition space.

  • Castle town diorama: A part of the ruins (250m wide, 130m deep) is reproduced at a 1/30 scale based on the remains and artefacts.

    Castle town diorama: A part of the ruins (250m wide, 130m deep) is reproduced at a 1/30 scale based on the remains and artefacts.

  • The castle town is said to have housed at least 10,000 people in the past. You can enjoy exploring the scenes linked to the exhibits.

    The castle town is said to have housed at least 10,000 people in the past. You can enjoy exploring the scenes linked to the exhibits.

  • Remains Exhibition Room: The stone remains found during the excavation survey prior to the construction of the museum are preserved and exhibited as they are. You can feel their power as you walk along the corridor.

    Remains Exhibition Room: The stone remains found during the excavation survey prior to the construction of the museum are preserved and exhibited as they are. You can feel their power as you walk along the corridor.

  • Guidance Area: Provides information to help you enjoy viewing the ruins, including an introductory Video, a ruins map, and hands-on exhibits related to excavation.

    Guidance Area: Provides information to help you enjoy viewing the ruins, including an introductory Video, a ruins map, and hands-on exhibits related to excavation.

  • Fukui Prefecture Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Museum
  • In addition to the building itself, you can experience the courtyard, pond garden, and other spaces that were created to welcome guests from the capital, bringing together the best of culture.
  • The Jūniken room was built in the meeting hall that welcomed the future 15th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki. The three armor and decorative metal fittings were also reproduced using techniques from 450 years ago.
  • Basic Exhibition Room: Comprised of 1.7 million excavated items, including nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. You can take a close look at the evidence of life at that time.
  • The various craftsmen seen in the excavated materials are reproduced in illustrations. In addition to the artifacts, the presence of people can be felt in the exhibition space.
  • Castle town diorama: A part of the ruins (250m wide, 130m deep) is reproduced at a 1/30 scale based on the remains and artefacts.
  • The castle town is said to have housed at least 10,000 people in the past. You can enjoy exploring the scenes linked to the exhibits.
  • Remains Exhibition Room: The stone remains found during the excavation survey prior to the construction of the museum are preserved and exhibited as they are. You can feel their power as you walk along the corridor.
  • Guidance Area: Provides information to help you enjoy viewing the ruins, including an introductory Video, a ruins map, and hands-on exhibits related to excavation.

Photo: Taichi Misonoo

About the Project

Overview The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins is a national treasure-class special historic site that gives a glimpse into the real life of a medieval castle town during the Warring States period, which is rare even nationwide. This museum is a museum of the ruins of a medieval city built by the Asakura clan, a feudal lord during the Warring States period. In addition to the Guidance Area, which introduces basic information about the ruins, and the Basic Exhibition Room, which displays artifacts, the museum is made up of a Remains Exhibition Room, which displays the stone-paved ruins as they are, and a full-scale reproduction of the Asakura Residence, which was the residence of the Asakura clan and the core political facility.
Issues/Themes To convey basic information about the "Special Historic Site Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins" and its value. Also, to allow people to imagine what life was like in the castle town of the past based on the vestiges of buildings and other remains remaining at the site.
Space Solution/Realization In the Guidance Area, a series of scroll-like visual displays make use of the 18m-long wall, allowing visitors to get an overview of basic information. In the Basic Exhibition Room, in addition to displays of everyday artifacts, illustrations and models of the people who used these items are used to give a sense of their bustle and atmosphere. In addition, a full-scale reproduction of the Asakura Museum allows visitors to experience the space for themselves and experience the historical romance of the Muromachi period.
Design for Environment Universal design: Display cases and fixtures are at a height that makes them easy for wheelchair users to see, and there are no steps or uneven surfaces in the Asakura Museum replica area.
Cultural property Preservation Planning: Valuable materials, including important cultural properties, are exhibited in unique cases that allow for close-up viewing and also take into consideration the preservation environment.

Basic Information

Client Fukui Prefecture
Services Provided Display Planning, Design, Layout Production, Construction, Video Production, Project Management
Our Team Exhibition Direction: Tsuyoshi Kato
Display Planning: Yuko Onisawa, Hideyuki Hamamoto, Eikai Nishikawa, Hanae Yoshino
Design, Layout: Noriko Watabiki, Ryo Mizuguchi, Miho Ishiwata, Yasuyasu Endo
Production, Construction: Takanori Karube, Daisuke Tahara, Maki Ueda
Models, Molding: Hiroshi Nakai, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Yoshiteru Hasezawa
Video content design: Tatsuro Shiota, Tansei Institute Co., Ltd.
Project Management: Yoshiki Morikawa
Awards "KUKAN DESIGN AWARD 2023" Shortlist
"42nd Display Industry Award (2023)" Display Industry Encouragement Award (Japan Display Industry Association Award)
"iF DESIGN AWARD 2024"
Location Fukui Prefecture
Open October 2022
Website https://asakura-museum.pref.fukui.lg.jp/
Tag
KATO Tsuyoshi

Exhibition Direction

KATO Tsuyoshi

After working in promotion and commercial facility design, he is now mainly involved in Design Direction for culture and communication spaces. He values "the story behind it," "surprises in hospitality," and "the tactile sensation of the space," and strives to create facilities that "make the lives of those who visit just a little bit richer."

Main Achievements

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.