• Home
  • Explore
  • Kanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa Castle Park

One of Kanazawa’s key historic landmarks

Once the home of the Maeda family, who governed the Kaga Domain – present day Ishikawa and Toyama – for over 280 years, Kanazawa Castle is an essential part of the city’s history.

Many features of the castle including the original castle tower  were destroyed in two major fires over its long history, and many of them have been rebuilt. Two of its longest lasting features are the Ishikawa-mon Gate, which was rebuilt in 1788, and the Sanjikken Nagaya which was rebuilt in 1858. Both of them have been designated as important cultural assets.

During the time of the Maeda family, Kanazawa Castle was surrounded by moats and had a fort function with loopholes for matchlocks on the outer wall in order to keep it secure from enemies. The beautiful white tiles that grace the roof are weathered lead and the walls made of white mortar with flat tiles attached to it. The stone walls vary in type throughout the castle and it is apparent that many of them were built in separate periods, with the oldest dating back more than 400 years ago.

Prior to Kanazawa Castle and its park’s restoration, it was used for many different purposes. For a time, it was used as base for the Japanese army and then a campus for Kanazawa University before being designated a National Historic Site in 2008.


Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura (turret and storehouse)

These three stunning features are reproductions of original aspects of the park from over 125 years ago. Hishiyagura is a diamond-shaped turret, Gojikken Nagaya a 90-yard-long warehouse, and Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura a turret designed to protect a nearby gate. Constructed through traditional methods, they offer a glimpse into Kanazawa’s past.


Gyokusen-inmaru Garden

In 1634, the third lord of the Maeda family started to construct the garden. Although it was destroyed at the end of the feudal period, the garden was reconstructed in 2015. If you visit the garden after sunset on Saturdays and designated dates, you can enjoy a captivating lights show.

Information

Address
 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937
Price
Free
Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura (turret and storehouse) Adult: 320 yen
Children (6 to 17 years old): 100 yen
Persons aged 65 years old or over: Free (ID required)
Business Hours
7:00–18:00 (8:00–17:00 from October 16th to end of February.)
Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura: 9:00–16:30 (Visitors must enter by 16:00)
Regular Holidays
Kanazawa Castle Park is open 365 days a year.
By Public Transportation
Approx. 5 minutes on foot from "Kenrokuen Garden・Kanazawa Castle Park" bus stop on the Kanazawa Loop Bus, Hokutetsu Local-Line Bus, and West JR Bus
Approx. 5 minutes on foot from "Kenrokuen Shita" bus stop on the Kanazawa Flat Bus Zaimoku route
Parking
None
Phone
076-234-3800
Official Website
on its official website.
Website
on its official website.

Map

Recommend

Discover More Attractions

Nezumitamon Gate & Nezumitamon Bridge
Nezumitamon Gate & Nezumitamon Bridge
more
Shiinoki Cultural Complex
Shiinoki Cultural Complex
more
Oyama Jinja Shrine
Oyama Jinja Shrine
more
Kanazawa Noh Museum
Kanazawa Noh Museum
more
Sofuan
Sofuan
more
Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden
more
Gyokusen-en Garden
Gyokusen-en Garden
more
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
more
Kaga Yuzen Kimono Center
Kaga Yuzen Kimono Center
more
Ishikawa Four High School Memorial Cultural Exchange Center
Ishikawa Four High School Memorial Cultural Exchange Center
more

Discover More Activities

Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience
Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience
more
Easy and fun! A glass etching hands-on just a few minutes’…
Easy and fun! A glass etching hands-on just a few minutes’…
more
A traditional Wagashi Japanese sweet workshop only two min…
A traditional Wagashi Japanese sweet workshop only two min…
more
A very accessible gold leaf workshop, just a few blocks fr…
A very accessible gold leaf workshop, just a few blocks fr…
more
A paper doll painting hands-on, just two minutes from Kenr…
A paper doll painting hands-on, just two minutes from Kenr…
more
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an envelope]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an envelope]
more
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
more
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
more
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
more
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making colorful accesso…
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making colorful accesso…
more

You Might Also Like

Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District
more
Nagamachi District
Nagamachi District
more
Kanazawa Castle and Gyokuseninmaru Garden: Nighttime Illum…
Kanazawa Castle and Gyokuseninmaru Garden: Nighttime Illum…
more
Nomura Samurai Family Residence
Nomura Samurai Family Residence
more
Nishi Chaya District
Nishi Chaya District
more
Myoryuji Temple (Ninjadera Temple)
Myoryuji Temple (Ninjadera Temple)
more
Omicho Market
Omicho Market
more
Yakiniku Nikukappo Manpuku
Yakiniku Nikukappo Manpuku
more
To Top