First time to visit Nagamachi District ~Don't miss it! Recommended Spots~
The Nagamachi District, with its earthen walls and cobblestone alleys, is typical of Kanazawa's castle town. Stepping inside from downtown Korinbo, the scenery is like stepping back in time to the Edo period(1603-1868). Visitors can enjoy Japanese sweets while gazing at the garden and experience the traditions of Kutani ware and Kaga Yuzen. This area will be the focus of even more attention in the future. If this is your first visit to Nagamachi Samurai District, our local travel writer will guide you on how to walk around and recommend places to stop by.
What are the highlights of the Nagamachi District?
During the feudal era, the area was lined with the residences of middle-class clan members, and many of you may have seen the scenery of earthen walls and row-house gates on both sides of the alleyway in the media. You can feel the seasons just by walking through the garden, with its fresh greenery and autumn leaves visible over the earthen walls, and "komogake"(protecting wall with straw mats) and "Yukitsuri"(snow hanging) in the winter. The town layout remains as it was on an old map made in the Edo period. The town is so beautiful that some people mistake it for a theme park, but it is a residential area with people living in most of the houses.
The Nomura-ke Samurai Residence, which is open to the public, offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the warriors of that time. The garden is so beautiful that it has received a Michelin 2-star rating and attracts many tourists from abroad.
♦Nomura-ke Samurai Residence
Site / 1-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-221-3553
Open / 8:30-17:30 (8:30-16:30 from October to March, admission until 30 minutes before closing as indicated on the left), closed December 26 and 27, January 1 and 2
Admission fee (adult) / 550 yen
How long does it take to visit the Nagamachi District and what is the recommended tour route?
The Nagamachi District tour starts from "Korinbo", a 10-minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station. Enter the intersection in front of "DAIWA" department store toward Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel and walk along the blue dotted line on the map. Take a zigzag course around the area, crossing the first, second, third, and fifth bridges over the Onosho canal, and return to the Korinbo bus stop. A leisurely one-hour walk. If you want to have a leisurely meal or tea, or if you want to take your time sightseeing, plan for even more time.
Instead of returning to Korinbo, we recommend that you extend your visit from Oyama Shrine to Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen Garden and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
General stores and experience spots in the Nagamachi District area
The Nagamachi District is full of places where you can experience Kanazawa's unique atmosphere and stores where you can buy souvenirs, all while maintaining the atmosphere of the old town. We will pick up a few of them and introduce them here. Why not experience Kanazawa's traditional culture along with a stroll around the city?
♦Nagamachi Yuzen Kan 【temporarily closed 】
A workshop run by a dyeing company that has been in business since the Edo period. In addition to learning about the process and history of Kaga Yuzen and viewing the works, visitors can also experience wearing and coloring Kaga Yuzen furisode (long-sleeved kimono) and visiting kimono, and walking around Nagamachi in street clothes for a separate fee.
Site / 2-6-16 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-264-2811
Open / 9:30-17:00
Close / Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and December-February (Dyeing experience is available by reservation.)
Admission fee (adult) / 350yen
HP / https://kagayuzen-club.co.jp/en/
♦Shiki no Table (restaurant serves local cuisine)
You can eat Kanazawa's local cuisine, such as "jibuni"(duck or chiken stew)
Site / 1-1-17 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-231-2501
Open / 16:00〜17:00
Close / Sundays, National holidays, Year-end and New Year holidays
HP / https://shikinotable.gorp.jp/ (Japanese only)
♦Kaburaki Store Kanazawa Kutani Museum
Inside the tasteful Japanese-style building, Kutani ware and other items are sold, and the Kaburaki Collection is on display. The adjoining restaurant, "Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki," offers food and drink while enjoying a view of the garden.
Site / 1-3-16 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-221-6666
Open / 9:00-18:00 (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki is open from 10:00, also open in the evening by reservation only)
Close / Irregular holidays
Admission fee / Free
HP / https://kaburaki.jp/museum (Japanese only)
◆atelier&gallery creava
Visitors can experience "Rokuro" (potter's wheel), "Kutani gosai" (five-colored porcelain), and "Akae kinsai" (red glaze with gold leef) at the pottery studio, which was renovated from a warehouse built in the Meiji period. It also has a gallery, store, and café.
Site / 2-6-51 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-254-1668(For reservation of ceramic art experience)
Open
・Ceramics Studio / Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays (See web page below for hours and other details) ※Reservations required
・Shop, Gallery, Cafe / 11:00〜17:00 (Closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Obon holidays, year-end and New Year holidays)
- 加賀友禅を纏ったこけしの絵付け体験&お好きなドリンク1杯付き♡
- 本物の加賀友禅に触れてみませんか?
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- 九谷焼 上絵付け体験
- 築160年の武家屋敷で九谷五彩を使った本格的体験を
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- Further experience Kanazawa’s Samurai culture through its gastronomical heritage!
- Learn how to prepare “Kaga Jibuni”, one of the most cherished local dishes, in just an hour or so!
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- 「押し寿司」作り体験
- 金沢伝統の押し寿司を体験。楽しい、美味しいの思い出作り!
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- 「蓮蒸し」作り体験
- 加賀野菜のなかでもひと際すぐれた食材であるれんこんをすりおろし、鰻や百合根、ぎんなん、しめじ等を入れて蒸し上げ、仕上げに餡をかける椀物で郷土料理の一品です。
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Sweets and cafe around Nagamachi District
Kanazawa is one of the three major Japanese confectionery destinations in Japan. In this neighborhood, there are many stores where you can enjoy Kanazawa's typical Japanese sweets while admiring the historical landscape and well-kept gardens.
♦Cafe MURAKAMI nagaya-mon
The Japanese sweets cafe produced by "Wagashi Murakami", as known as "Fukusa mochi" (wrapped rice cake), "Wari gori" (confectionery sugar and agar). At this cafe, where the old row-house gate still remains, you can eat "Buke Yashiki Plate" and "Kinpaku (gold leaf) Dango" .
Site / 2-3-33 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-264-4223
Open / 10:30~17:30
Close / Irregular holiday
HP / https://www.cafe-murakami.com/ (Japanese only)
♦Kanazawa Nagamachi Kayuan
The owner is well known for his additive-free fresh confections and matcha (powdered green tea), which he makes by hand every day from early in the morning. There are five to six varieties of fresh confections, and they are sometimes sold out late in the day.
Site / 2-2-38 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-221-2925
Open / 10:00~16:00
Close / Monday, Thursday, Friday
HP / https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/shops/detail_50522.html
♦Sakakobo Tarou Onigawa Store
Including the most popular "Cacao Chocolate Yokan", there is a wide variety of unique confections that bring a new style to Japanese confectionery. Here, you can enjoy Japanese sweets while admiring the beautiful garden!
Site / 1-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa city
TEL / 076-223-2838
Open / 8:45〜17:30(L.O.16:30)
Close / Jan.1,2 Irregular holiday
HP / https://www.sakakobo-taro.com (Japanese only)
- Kayuan
- A café that's perfect to stop by while walking around town.
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This is another place to stop by! Nearby Spots
If you visit the Nagamachi District, here are some spots you should definitely stop by.
♦Holy Spirit Monastery Cathedral
Built in 1931 by a Swiss architect, this wooden structure incorporating Romanesque style features an impressive worship space with tatami mats. It is designated as a cultural property by Kanazawa City.
Site / 1-5-30 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
Open / 9:00~17:00
Admission fee / Free
♦Kibune Myojin
The shrine is located along the Kuratsuki Irrigation Canal and is marked by a magnificent red pine tree. It is said that if you enter the small shrine from upstream, you will be divorced, and if you enter from downstream and visit the large shrine, your wish for marriage will be fulfilled.
Site / 2-11 Korinbo, Kanazawa Ciy
♦Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan Museum
The museum stores and partially exhibits approximately 9,000 items (designated as cultural assets by Ishikawa Prefecture) belonging to the Maeda Tosanokami family, whose ancestors were Maeda Toshimasa, the second son of Maeda Toshiie(The founder of Kaga Domain).
Site / 2-10-17 Katamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-233-1561
Open / 9:30〜17:00
Close / Monday
Admission fee (Adult) / 310yen
HP / https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/maedatosa/english/index.html
♦Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall
The building of "Nakaya Yakuho", a medicine merchant from the feudal domain era, was relocated. The museum recreates the appearance of a merchant's house from the feudal domain era, and also exhibits traditional town people's culture.
Site / 2-2-45 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City
TEL / 076-220-2524
Open / 9:30~17:00
Close / Monday
Admission fee (Adult) / 100yen
HP / https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/shinise/english/index.html