From 1583 to the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle (‹à‘òé, 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 200 yen.
Alternatively, frequent Hokutetsu buses run between Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen (15 minutes, 200 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
8:00 to 17:00 (October 16 through February)
Closed
Admission
Gojukken Nagaya Storehouse and Turrets
Hours
Closed
Admission
Kahoku-mon Gate and Nezumita-mon Gate
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Kanazawa
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HOTEL 101 KANAZAWASet in Kanazawa, 2 km from Kanazawa Castle, HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.5 km from Kenrokuen Garden. At the hotel, all rooms include a balcony with a garden view. All guest rooms in HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast. HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA offers 4-star accommodation with a hot tub. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kanazawa Station, Ishikawa Ongakudo and Kazuemachi Tea House Street. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA.View on Booking.com -
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Machiya Guest House CartaFeaturing 2-star accommodation, Machiya Guest House Carta is set in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and 1.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. With a garden, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. At the guest house all rooms have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Machiya Guest House Carta include Myoryuji - Ninja Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum and Nakamura Memorial Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel SuiteINOVA 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.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Kanazawa ZoushiSet 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, Ozaki Shrine and Kanazawa Phonograph Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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SumiyoshiyaOffering 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 hotelfs 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 Stationfs East exit and the historical Higashi Chaya-machi district. Omicho market is only a 1-minute walk.View on Booking.com -
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so, KANAZAWAFeaturing 3-star accommodation, so, KANAZAWA is situated in Kanazawa, 1.9 km from Kanazawa Castle and 600 metres from Kanazawa Station. 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 Ishikawa Ongakudo, Ozaki Shrine and Kanazawa Phonograph Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from so, KANAZAWA.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan YamamuroLocated 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-minutesf 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.View on Booking.com -
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UTAIMACHIFeaturing 3-star accommodation, UTAIMACHI is located in Kanazawa, 1.4 km from Kenrokuen Garden and 2.5 km from Kanazawa Station. With free WiFi, this 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.5 km from Kanazawa Castle. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At UTAIMACHI all rooms include bed linen and towels. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near UTAIMACHI include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 34 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com -
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UAN kanazawaUAN kanazawa is located a 5-minute walk from Musashigatsuji/Ohmicho Ichiba Bus Stop and Omicho Market. JR Kanazawa Station is 12 minutes by bus from the property, while Kanazawa Castle is 13 minutes on foot. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. A wheelchair accessible room can be found at this property. Each room at this hotel is air-conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. There is a complimentary handy Smartphone and desk in all the rooms. Enjoy a cup of tea from your terrace or patio. Every room comes with a private bathroom with a bath and high-tech toilet, with slippers provided. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. Yukata robes are also provided for the comfort of guests. A Japanese or Western-style breakfast featuring local specialities is available upon prior request. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. The property offers free soba noodle at night. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property and free luggage storage is available. Guests can work out free of charge at the hotel's fitness gym. Kenrokuen Garden is a 15-minute walk from UAN kanazawa, while Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is a 15-minute bus ride away from the property. The nearest Airport is Komatsu Airport, a 55-minute bus away.View on Booking.com -
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K's House Kanazawa - Travelers HostelSet in Kanazawa and with Kanazawa Castle reachable within 1.8 km, K's House Kanazawa - Travelers Hostel offers a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. The property is close to Nakamura Memorial Museum, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. The hostel provides certain units with city views, and every room includes a kettle. The units feature bed linen. Popular points of interest near K's House Kanazawa - Travelers Hostel include Kenrokuen Garden, Myoryuji - Ninja Temple and D. T. Suzuki Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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