Kanazawa Castle

What to know

From 1583 until the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle (金沢城, Kanazawajō) served as the residence of the powerful Maeda Clan, lords of Kaga. This feudal domain was second only to the Tokugawa holdings in both size and wealth.

The castle suffered multiple fires over the centuries. The most recent, in 1881, left only two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate standing. The gate, built in 1788, faces Kenrokuen Garden. For decades, Kanazawa University occupied the castle grounds until moving to the outskirts in the early 1990s. Since then, a reconstruction project has been gradually restoring the castle's former buildings. Today, most central structures have been rebuilt, making a visit far more rewarding.

The first reconstructed buildings were the Hishi and Tsuzuki Yagura turrets, along with the Gojukken Nagaya storehouse connecting them. These were rebuilt to their 1850s appearance using traditional techniques and materials, opening to the public in 2001. They feature excellent exhibits on traditional carpentry. In 2015, the adjacent Hashizume-mon Gate was added. The turrets and storehouse are the only parts of the castle that charge an admission fee.

Several other gates have also been reconstructed, including the former main entrance, the Kahoku-mon Gate (2010), and the Nezumita-mon Gate (2020) near Oyama Shrine. The upper floors of both gates are free to enter and contain displays about their history and construction. In 2015, the Gyokuseninmaru Garden—a pretty garden with a central pond and circular walking path—was reconstructed and can be enjoyed for free. The castle's main keep was lost in a fire in 1602 and has not been rebuilt.

Kanazawa Castle Park is a large park in central Kanazawa with multiple access points. The most popular entrance is through the Ishikawa-mon Gate, just a few meters from Kenrokuen's main entrance.

Kenrokuen and the castle park are a stop on the tourist-oriented Kanazawa Loop Bus, which departs from the station's east exit (Kenrokuen Exit). The one-way ride from Kanazawa Station takes about 20 minutes and costs 220 yen.