VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Kanazawa Station is JR West Railway's major station located in Kanazawa. The reconstruction of the surrounding area is still making progress for the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen (a bullet train) from Kanazawa to Osaka. 

There is a glass dome called "Motenashi (Welcome) Dome," which looks like a huge umbrella, at the east entrance of Kanazawa Station. The dome has a wooden gate called "Tsuzumi-mon," which symbolizes a traditional Japanese instrument called tsuzumi (hand drums). The underground of the dome serves as an information corner and event space. In recent years, the area has become a busier shopping quarter with the construction of large-sized shopping buildings.

In November 2024, the "Ukon Takayama Memorial Museum (Gallery Justo)" opened in the heart of Kanazawa. The museum is located on the site of the West Inner Fortifications, which Ukon Takayama is believed to have overseen the construction of. It is situated near the current Omicho Market. The museum showcases Ukon’s life and his involvement in the restoration of Kanazawa Castle, as well as valuable exhibits related to tea utensils and Christian artifacts from the Kaga region. 

It is believed that the residence of the missionaries was located around the bottom of Jinyemon-zaka, which connects the west side of Kanazawa Castle to the castle town. This area is thought to have been a gathering place for Christian samurai and Kaga clan retainers, such as Naitō Joan and Ukita Kyūkan, who came to Kanazawa seeking Ukon’s protection.

The "Kanazawa Castle So-gamae (Outer Moat and Ramparts) Site" consists of a double-layered moat and earthen embankments that encircle the castle town, constructed around 1599. While historical records indicate that both the inner and outer sections were created under Ukon Takayama's supervision, later accounts suggest that Ukon was responsible for the inner So-gamae, while the outer section was constructed by the influential Kaga clan vassal, the Shinohara family.

Some remains of the So-gamae are still visible within Kanazawa city. One such site, the "Kunai-bashi-zume Remains," can be seen next to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Here, you can view large Zelkova trees that stand alongside the earthen embankments. A fence extends from the neighboring land beside the museum, offering the only spot where you can imagine the atmosphere of the moat over a long stretch.

The Nakamura family, who has been running a sake brewery in Kanazawa, moved and modified their own residence here, exhibited and opened their collection to public. Later, the museum was donated to Kanazawa City. Centering on noted articles of Japanese tea ceremony arts, the museum exhibits calligraphic works, paintings, lacquer ware, and pottery. There are a number of two or more Japanese tearooms used for tea ceremonies.

The site of Ukon Takayama's residence later became the land for the Honda family's upper residence, as noted in the historical records of Daijōji Temple. This area corresponds to the vicinity of the current Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art. There is also a theory suggesting that it may have been located within the grounds of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa.

It is also known as “Nanban-ji Temple” in reference to the Christian church. It is mentioned in an Edo period illustrated map as “Kirishitan Yashiki” (Kirishitan Residence), which indicates that Kirishitan Temple was originally located there. It is located adjacent to Konyazaka, next to the present Kenrokuen Garden.

Kanazawa Castle, originally established as the Kanazawa Mido by Honganji and later developed into a fortress by Morimasa Sakuma, was further refined by the Maeda family. The design of features such as the Shinmaru (New Keep) and the Ote-mon (Main Gate) is attributed to Ukon Takayama. Additionally, the architectural design of Kanazawa Castle bears similarities to the Namban-ji temples in Kyoto, which has led to speculation about Ukon’s involvement in the castle’s design.