Ono, town in Tamura district, Fukushima prefecture, Japan
Ono is a small town in the Tamura district featuring a castle that sits on a hill above the streets, along with traditional samurai residences, several temples, and a history museum displaying artifacts from over 12,000 years ago. The town layout follows a grid pattern with a central castle, narrow streets lined with old shops, and a collection of historic structures that reflect the area's past.
The town emerged during the medieval period and developed as a regional center with Echizen-Ono Castle serving as the main stronghold. During the Edo period, samurai families established residences and shaped the town's infrastructure, with some structures and the foundational grid layout remaining intact today.
The town's layout was designed to mirror Kyoto, with a castle at the center and narrow streets arranged in a grid pattern. Multiple temples of different sects line the streets, and their surrounding old trees create a sense of careful planning that visitors notice as they walk through the town today.
The town is best explored on foot, as the narrow streets and compact layout centered around the castle make walking practical and manageable. Visitors can also hire a jinrikisha, a traditional pulled wagon with a guide who points out historic sites and local details while offering a leisurely pace of travel.
The Oshozu Spring is renowned for its pure water and has been designated as one of Japan's 100 Great Waters. Locals and visitors alike drink the water directly from the source, and it is also used for washing vegetables in the area.
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