Kanazawa Castle

Kanazawa Castle (金沢城, Kanazawajō) stands as a powerful symbol of the Maeda clan’s 280-year reign over the Kaga Domain. Since Maeda Toshiie entered the castle in 1583, the structure has served as the physical and political anchor of Kanazawa. For 14 generations, the Maedas ruled as the second-wealthiest family in Japan, presiding over a “Land of a Million Koku.” While the original keep was lost to fire centuries ago, the massive reconstructions of the 21st century have restored the skyline to its former feudal glory.

The Reconstructed Majesty of the Kaga Domain

The castle’s aesthetic is defined by its striking white-tiled roofs. These are namari-gawara, or lead tiles. Legend suggests the Maeda clan used lead so that, in the event of a desperate siege, the tiles could be melted down into bullets. While more likely chosen for their weather resistance against heavy snow, they lend the castle a unique, silvery glint. The Ishikawa-mon Gate, rebuilt in 1788, is one of the few original structures to have survived the fires and the Meiji-era demolitions. It remains a National Important Cultural Property and serves as the primary entrance for visitors coming from the adjacent Kenrokuen Garden.

In 2001, the castle underwent its most ambitious reconstruction to date: the Hishi Yagura (diamond-shaped turret), the Gojukkyonin Matsubara (fifty-meter-long storehouse), and the Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura. These massive wooden structures were rebuilt using traditional 17th-century techniques, including kigumi joinery that relies on interlocking wood rather than iron nails. For a small fee, visitors can enter these turrets to see the exposed timber frames and learn about the ingenious defensive mechanisms, such as ishi-otoshi—hidden hatches used for dropping stones on intruders.

Beyond the fortress walls, the Gyokusen’in-maru Garden offers a more contemplative experience. Reconstructed in 2015, this pond-strolling garden features dramatic stone walls and a circular path designed to showcase the interplay of light and water. The most recent major addition is the Nezumitamon Bridge, completed in 2020. This impressive wooden bridge reconnects the castle directly to Oyama Shrine, restoring a pedestrian route that had been severed for over a century.

Visitor Information
Address	1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937 (Google Maps)
Opening Hours	Castle Park: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mar–Oct) / 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Oct–Feb) Turrets: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Last entry 4:00 PM)
Price	Castle Park & Gardens: Free Hishi Yagura & Gojukkyonin Matsubara: Adults ¥320 / Children ¥100
Website	Visit Website

Access
Station / Stop	Line / Bus	Access Details
Kanazawa Station	JR Hokuriku Line / Shinkansen	Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus (LL or RL) to the Kenrokuen-shita stop.
Kenrokuen-shita	Hokutetsu Bus	A 5-minute walk to the Ishikawa-mon Gate entrance.
Minamicho / Oyama Jinja	Kanazawa Loop Bus	A 5-minute walk through Oyama Shrine and across the Nezumitamon Bridge.