Local Guide
A complete guide to Kanazawa Castle Park, the symbol of the Kaga Domain

Kanazawa Castle, adjacent to Kenrokuen Garden, is one of Kanazawa's most famous tourist attractions. The castles of the successive feudal lords of the Maeda clan, who built the Kaga domain's one million koku fiefdom, were restored one after another and opened as Kanazawa Castle Park in 2001. There is a lot to see within the large park. Here, we introduce some recommended spots that you definitely should visit when you visit Kanazawa Castle Park. Take a leisurely stroll through the park and enjoy the buildings that have been restored and maintained with respect for historical fact.

Passing on the history and culture of the Kaga Domain

Ishikawamon Gate, the trademark of Kanazawa Castle
Ishikawamon Gate, the trademark of Kanazawa Castle

Kanazawa Castle was originally built on the site of a Jodo Shinshu temple called Oyama Gobo (Kanazawa Mido). It was renamed Kanazawa Castle in 1580 (Tensho 8), and full-scale construction began in 1583 (Tensho 11) when Maeda Toshiie, who built the Kaga domain of one million koku of rice, moved into the castle. From then on, it became the residence of successive feudal lords of the Maeda clan, and prospered for about 290 years.
All the buildings except for Ishikawamon Gate and Sanjukken Nagaya were destroyed by repeated fires, but restoration work has progressed and the site has been open to the public as Kanazawa Castle Park since 2001. Since then, restoration work has progressed further, and the gardens, gates, and other parts of the castle are slowly regaining their former splendor.

The cherry blossoms blooming at Ishikawamon Gate are a sight to behold
The cherry blossoms blooming at Ishikawamon Gate are a sight to behold

Kanazawa Castle is known as the best place to see cherry blossoms in Kanazawa. In early April, about 400 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, Higanzakura, and Yamazakura, bloom in full glory, and many visitors flock to see the beauty every year.
Ishikawamon Gate is a particularly popular viewing spot. The photo of Ishikawamon Gate and the fluffy cherry blossoms that look like a sea of clouds can only be taken at this time of year. Don't miss the cherry blossoms blooming along the inner moats of Otebori and Hishiyagura.
At night, the cherry blossoms are lit up along with the neighboring Kenrokuen Garden, allowing you to enjoy a different side of them than you would during the day.

We recommend starting your stroll at Ishikawamon Gate

Ishikawamon Gate is the entrance connecting Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park.
Ishikawamon Gate is the entrance connecting Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park.

There are a total of five entrance gates to Kanazawa Castle Park. If you want to enjoy both the park and Kenrokuen, we recommend starting from Ishikawamon Gate, located opposite Kenrokuen. This is also the main gate to Kanazawa Castle Park, so we recommend going through this gate first.
Ishikawamon Gate was completely burned down in a major fire in 1759 (the 9th year of the Horeki era), but was rebuilt during the reign of the 11th feudal lord, Maeda Harunaga. It escaped destruction in subsequent fires and is a valuable relic from the Edo period that has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the national government.

The impressive long building, "Gojukken Nagaya"

The connected towers towering over Sannomaru Square
The connected towers towering over Sannomaru Square

After passing through Ishikawamon Gate, the first thing you see at Sannomaru Square is a long building. This building is actually made up of three buildings connected internally. From the left, they are Hashizumemon Tsuzukiyagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hishiyagura, and it is the only Property in Kanazawa Castle Park that requires an admission fee. Inside, you can view a variety of exhibits.
Gojukken Nagaya is commonly known as Tamon Yagura, and was primarily used as a warehouse for storing weapons and other items, but also functioned as a castle wall in emergencies.

The Diamond Tower: a fun structure and mechanism

Ishiotoshi, a stone-dropper used to prevent enemies from climbing up stone walls
Ishiotoshi, a stone-dropper used to prevent enemies from climbing up stone walls

As its name suggests, the highlight of the Hishiyagura Tower is the diamond shapes that can be enjoyed throughout the building. As its main role was to watch over the surrounding area, it is said that the diamond shape was chosen to reduce blind spots and widen the field of vision. The building's floor plan and the 100 pillars used in the building are all diamond shaped, so it is a real pleasure to be able to see the excellent technology of the time.
The Hishi Tower is a three-story structure built on top of an 11.7m-high stone wall. You can also see the stone-drop defensive structure.

The Hashizume Gate Tower, which monitors the most prestigious gate

Spectacular view from the third floor
Spectacular view from the third floor

The Hashizume Gate Tsuzuki Turret is located overlooking the Hashizume Gate, the main gate of Ninomaru. It is said to have played an important role as a watchtower for people crossing Hashizume Bridge from Sannomaru Square and heading to Ninomaru.
If you visit Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura, be sure to enjoy the view from the third floor. The third floor windows have no glass, making it a popular spot for taking beautiful photos. The spectacular view of Ishikawamon, Sannomaru Square, and Tsurunomaru Rest House from above is unique to this place.

Take a break at Castle View

A rest area with a view of Gojikken Nagaya
A rest area with a view of Gojikken Nagaya

If you get tired of walking, head to the Tsurunomaru Rest House, where you can enjoy a spectacular view. This rest area is also recommended as a great photo spot, as you can get a close-up view of Gojikken Nagaya and Hashizume Gate through the windows.
In the adjacent exhibition space, original videos are shown introducing the highlights and history of Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen. There is also a quiz corner, so if you have time, why not give it a try?
There is also a cafe inside the building where you can enjoy sushi and sweets served in traditional craft dishes.

Enjoy the unique garden of a feudal lord

A beautifully recreated garden from the Edo period
A beautifully recreated garden from the Edo period

The third feudal lord, Toshitsune, began creating the garden, and while successive feudal lords added to it, it continued to exist until the abolition of the feudal domain. The daimyo garden, which had a pond and a stroll-around pond as its water source, was abandoned during the Meiji period, but was beautifully recreated in 2015 (Heisei 27).
It features a three-dimensional garden that makes use of the 22m slope, and one of the highlights is the stone wall made of colored paper strips that is integrated with the waterfall.

The latest spot in Kanazawa Castle Park

The beautiful black sea cucumber plaster of the "Nezumi-tamon" and the "Nezumi-tamon Bridge" leading to Oyama Shrine
The beautiful black sea cucumber plaster of the "Nezumi-tamon" and the "Nezumi-tamon Bridge" leading to Oyama Shrine

This is the latest spot, which was just completed in July 2020, and is a restoration of the gate and bridge that once connected Gyokusen'inmaru Garden and Oyama Shrine. It has been restored for the first time in 140 years since it was burned down in the Meiji era, and has become a hot topic. Nezumitamon Gate, characterized by its black sea cucumber plaster, and Nezumitamon Bridge, the largest wooden bridge in the castle, have an outstanding presence. You can tour the inside of Nezumitamon Gate for free.
Now that it is possible to get to Oyama Shrine from Kanazawa Castle Park via Nezumi-tamon Gate and Nezumi-tamon Bridge, a new route has been created, making sightseeing in Kanazawa even easier.

A nationally important stone wall museum

The stone walls of Ishikawamon Gate are stacked differently on the left and right
The stone walls of Ishikawamon Gate are stacked differently on the left and right

Kanazawa Castle has had a variety of stone walls built over its 290-year history. There is such a wide variety of stone walls that it is called a "stone wall museum," and walking courses have been created to tour the walls. You can enjoy a wide variety of stone walls, from those made simply by piling up natural stones to those made by processing stones and stacking them tightly.
Also, if you look closely at the stone walls, you will find some with engravings such as circles, triangles, squares, and swastikas carved into them. There are over 200 different types, so it's recommended that you try looking for the patterns that are carved into them.

Enjoy the illuminated gardens of feudal lords after sunset

Gyokusen-inmaru Garden lit up in colorful lights
Gyokusen-inmaru Garden lit up in colorful lights

Don't forget to check out the free illuminations that are held every day from sunset to 9pm. You can enjoy the illuminations at Ishikawamon Gate, Kahokumon Gate, Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, Hashizume Gate Tsukumo Gate, Nezumi Gate, Nezumi Gate Bridge, Tsurumaru Warehouse, Sanjikken Nagaya, Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, and stone walls. Of the five entrances, please note that only Ishikawamon Gate, Gyokusen'inmaru Gate, and Nezumi Gate Gate are open to the public.
The illuminated outline of the castle can only be enjoyed at night. At Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, you can enjoy a performance that changes in time with music.

Kanazawa Castle Park
  • URLhttp://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/
  • 住所1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスJR金沢駅から車で約7分
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Kenrokuenshita/Kanazawa Castle" and walk for about 3 minutes
  • 営業時間March 1st to October 15th: 7:00-18:00, October 16th to the end of February: 8:00-17:00
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料About the Hishi Turret, Gojukken Nagaya, Hashizume Gate, and Hashizume Gate (admission fees)
    Adults (18 years and over) 320 yen, Children (6 to 18 years old) 100 yen
  • TEL076-234-3800（石川県　金沢城・兼六園管理事務所）
  • 駐車場none
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