From 1583 to the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle (金沢城, Kanazawajō) was the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan, lords of Kaga, a feudal domain ranking second only to the Tokugawa possessions in terms of size and wealth.

The castle burnt down several times over the centuries, and the most recent fires of 1881 were survived only by two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate. The gate dates from 1788 and faces Kenrokuen. For several decades, Kanazawa University occupied the former castle grounds until the campus was moved to the city's outskirts in the early 1990s. Since then, a project is underway to rebuild the castle's former buildings. In the meantime, most central structures are standing again and make a visit more interesting.

The first buildings to be reconstructed were the two turrets (Hishi and Tsuzuki Yagura) and a long storehouse (Gojukken Nagaya) that connects the two turrets. The buildings were rebuilt to their original 1850s appearance using traditional techniques and materials. They were opened to the public in 2001 and contain excellent displays on traditional carpentry. In 2015, the adjacent Hashizume-mon Gate was added. The turrets and the storehouse are the only part of the castle where an admission fee is charged.

Several of the castle's other gates have also been reconstructed, including the former main entrance gate, the Kahoku-mon Gate (in 2010) and the Nezumita-mon Gate (in 2020) near Oyama Shrine. The upper floors of both gates can be entered for free and contain displays about the gates' history and construction. In 2015, the Gyokuseninmaru Garden, a pretty garden with a central pond and circular walking path, was reconstructed and can be enjoyed for free. The castle's main keep was lost in a fire in 1602 and has not been rebuilt ever since.

Getting there and around

Kanazawa Castle Park is a large park in the center of Kanazawa and is accessible from many different sides. The most popular approach is through the Ishikawa-mon Gate, which is located only a few meters from the main entrance of Kenrokuen.

Kenrokuen and the castle park are a stop along the tourist-oriented Kanazawa Loop Bus which departs from the station's east exit (aka Kenrokuen Exit). The one way ride from Kanazawa Station takes about 20 minutes and costs 210 yen.

Alternatively, frequent Hokutetsu buses run between Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen (15 minutes, 210 yen one way). Get off at Kenrokuen-shita bus stop, a short walk from the castle park. Furthermore, there are 1-3 JR buses per hour from Kanazawa Station, which are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. All buses depart from Kanazawa Station's east exit (Kenrokuen Exit).

How to get to and around Kanazawa

Hours and Fees

Castle Grounds

Hours

Closed

Admission

Gojukken Nagaya Storehouse and Turrets

Hours

Closed

Admission

Kahoku-mon Gate and Nezumita-mon Gate

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Kanazawa

Top rated in Kanazawa
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    • Guest House Pongyi
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kanazawa, 2.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden, Guest House Pongyi provides recently renovated accommodation with free WiFi and a terrace. It is set 2.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and offers a shared kitchen. The property is close to popular attractions like Kozen-ji Temple, Gankei-ji Temple and Senko-ji Temple. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a shared bathroom and a well-fitted kitchenette including a microwave, toaster, fridge and a stovetop. All units are equipped with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with river views. The units include bed linen. There is a coffee shop on-site. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Popular points of interest near Guest House Pongyi include Kanazawa Station, Fukunen-ji Temple and Hosho-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 31 km away.
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    • Machi no Odoriba
      Mid-range
      Set 2 km from Kanazawa Castle, Machi no Odoriba offers 3-star accommodation in Kanazawa and features a garden. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath, or enjoy garden views. The units come with air conditioning, an oven, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a terrace, a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Popular points of interest near Machi no Odoriba include Kanazawa Station, Saigen-ji Temple and Kokyo-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 32 km away.
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    • Yamanoo
      Mid-range
      Featuring 3-star accommodation, Yamanoo is situated in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden and 2.9 km from Kanazawa Station. This ryokan provides free private parking, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property offers allergy-free units and is located 1.8 km from Kanazawa Castle. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km away.
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    • Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi
      Luxury
      Set in Kanazawa and within 1.4 km of Kanazawa Castle, Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi has a shared lounge, allergy-free rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi all rooms have bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi include Kanazawa Station, Saifuku-ji Temple and Gankei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from the hotel.
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    • Sumiyoshiya
      Mid-range
      Offering free Wi-Fi and free-use bicycles and in-room Japanese meals, Sumiyoshiya is a traditional Japanese-style hotel. It features a garden, hot public baths and coin-operated laundry facilities. A free-use internet PC is available at the lobby. Rooms feature paper sliding doors, Japanese futon bedding and a seating area. All come with an LCD TV, a tea/coffee maker and a sink, and some have a private bathroom. Sumiyoshiya offers laundry services, luggage storage and free parking. A Japanese and a Western breakfast are served in the hotel’s dining room, while Japanese dinners featuring local ingredients can be enjoyed in either the guest room or the dining room. Sumiyoshiya is a 10-minute walk from Kenroku-en Garden, and a 15-minute walk from both JR Kanazawa Station’s East exit and the historical Higashi Chaya-machi district. Omicho market is only a 1-minute walk.
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    • Machiya Guest House Carta
      Budget-friendly
      Offering a shared lounge and garden view, Machiya Guest House Carta is set in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and 1.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Featuring a garden, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the guest house, each unit is equipped with a tatami. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Myoryuji - Ninja Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum and Shofukaku Garden. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from Machiya Guest House Carta.
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    • UTAIMACHI
      Mid-range
      Boasting a hot tub, UTAIMACHI is set in Kanazawa. The 3-star ryokan has garden views and is 1.4 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Kanazawa Castle is 1.5 km away. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a coffee machine, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a stovetop and kitchenware. At the ryokan, units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km from the property.
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    • INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite
      Luxury
      INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite is located 600 metres from Kanazawa Station. Free WiFi is provided in all rooms. The property offers private parking. Featuring a balcony, all rooms have a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kitchen with an induction stove, a fridge and a microwave. Each room has a living room, toilet and private bathroom with a TV. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 29 km from INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite.
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    • so, KANAZAWA
      Mid-range
      So, KANAZAWA is situated in Kanazawa, within 3.1 km of Myoryuji - Ninja Temple and 100 metres of Shirahige Shrine. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. All units at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. At so, KANAZAWA each room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kanazawa Castle, Kanazawa Station and Gankei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from so, KANAZAWA.
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    • Ryokan Yamamuro
      Mid-range
      Located a 5-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station, Ryokan Yamamuro offers Japanese-style guestrooms with free WiFi. Omicho Market and Kanazawa Castle Park can both be reached with a 5-minute walk. Guests can stroll around the Higashi Chaya District, a historical entertainment district with various shops, located a 8-minute walk away from Yamamuro Ryokan. Kenrokuen Garden is 10-minutes’ away on foot while the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a 15-minute walk away. Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is a 10-minute drive from the property. With heating and air-conditioning facilities, rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and feature Japanese futon bedding. One room comes with a private bathroom. Free services offered at the property include luggage storage, newspaper and daily maid services.
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Experiences around Kanazawa

Top rated in Kanazawa