Explore Kanazawa Castle Park: Ultimate 2025 Guide to Japan's Historic Fortress & Beautiful Grounds
Kanazawa has a history of flourishing as one of Japan's leading cultural cities during the Edo period about 400 years ago. Kanazawa is currently famous as a tourist destination with particularly many historical landmarks and traditional spots in Japan.
Kanazawa developed as a castle town of the Kaga Domain, which was one of the largest domains in the country during the Edo period. This historic Kanazawa has many areas where you can feel history and tradition, including precious architectural structures of Kanazawa Castle that remain from that time, as well as traditional streetscapes such as tea districts and samurai residences.
This time, we will explain the charm of "Kanazawa Castle," the symbol of Kanazawa that has continued to function as the center of Kanazawa, and "Kanazawa Castle Park" that surrounds it.
Kanazawa is famous not only for gourmet food and contemporary art, but also as a city where tradition lives and breathes
Kanazawa is famous for its exquisite gourmet food, including fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, and for having many spots where you can enjoy contemporary art. On the other hand, it is also known as a historic city where traditional culture that has continued for over 400 years lives and breathes throughout the city.
Kanazawa has many historic landmarks, including Kanazawa Castle, which is the center of the castle town, Kenroku-en, which is counted among Japan's three most famous gardens, and Higashi Chaya District, where you can stroll through traditional streetscapes.
Kanazawa is a highly rated tourist destination in Japan where innovative contemporary art and traditional culture with over 400 years of history are fused together.
Kanazawa Castle, where you can enjoy the fusion of nature and tradition, is a place that many tourists must visit at least once
Kanazawa Castle, the symbol of Kanazawa, is a popular spot that cannot be missed in Kanazawa sightseeing.
Kanazawa Castle and Kanazawa Castle Park that surrounds it is a space where Edo period castle architecture and modern park functions are fused together. Kanazawa Castle is attractive not only for its value as a historical structure, but also for its beautiful scenery unique to the historic city of Kanazawa, where nature of the four seasons and traditional architecture harmonize.
Kanazawa Castle is also called a "stone wall museum" because you can observe various stone wall construction methods at once. When strolling through Kanazawa Castle Park, it's interesting not only to admire the beauty of various large and small stone walls, but also to compare the different construction methods that vary by era and location.
Also, at Kanazawa Castle, please enjoy visiting precious historic sites such as the restored castle architecture and the unique Japanese garden "Gyokusen'inmaru Garden" with its arranged stone walls.
First, take a tour around Kanazawa Castle Park and enjoy the atmosphere created by the castle and park
When you visit Kanazawa Castle Park, first take a tour around the park and enjoy the beautiful scenery where traditional Japanese castle architecture, nature, and modernly developed park facilities are fused together.
Kanazawa Castle Park is so vast that it takes at least an hour and a half to tour the highlights such as each castle gate and Japanese gardens. In the park, you can enjoy not only traditional architecture remaining from the Edo period, but also seasonal natural scenery such as cherry blossoms blooming along the stone walls and autumn leaves coloring the Japanese gardens.
At Kanazawa Castle Park, you can enjoy various atmospheres depending on the time of day, such as the bustling daytime with tourists and the beautiful nighttime illumination. Among these, my recommendation is early morning when you can stroll quietly in the clear air. Early morning has fewer people, so you can leisurely enjoy Kanazawa Castle Park.
Since admission to Kanazawa Castle Park is free, please feel free to experience Kanazawa's history and nature.
Must-see! Points to see at Kanazawa Castle
The solemn castle gates throughout the grounds
Kanazawa Castle has multiple magnificent castle gates, including Ishikawa-mon gate, Kahoku-mon gate, and Nezumitamon Gate. The castle gates are attractive not only for their functionality in preventing enemy intrusion, but also for their beautiful appearance built using traditional methods. The main castle gates you can visit at Kanazawa Castle are as follows:
Ishikawa-mon gate: This is the representative gate of Kanazawa Castle, where the original gate that was destroyed by fire was rebuilt in 1788. Currently, it is designated as a culturally valuable cultural property by the national government.
Kahoku-mon gate: This is the actual main gate of Kanazawa Castle. After being destroyed by fire and other incidents, the current gate was restored in 2010.
Nezumitamon gate: This gate is located on the west side of Kanazawa Castle and is characterized by its gray appearance using black lacquered plaster. The current gate was restored in 2020 together with Nezumita-mon bridge.
While strolling through Kanazawa Castle Park, please also enjoy the dignified castle gates built with traditional techniques.
Gojukken Nagaya
Gojukken Nagaya is a new symbol of Kanazawa Castle Park that was restored in 2001 using traditional wooden construction techniques.
Gojukken Nagaya is a building that combined the warehouse function for storing weapons and the defensive function of castle walls, and as the name "Gojukken," which represents about 90m in Japan's unique units, suggests, it is characterized by its long, narrow building.
Gojukken Nagaya itself serves as an exhibit, and you can actually enter inside to observe its internal structure.
My particular favorite in Gojukken Nagaya is the huge pine wood beams on the second floor. The timber is assembled using traditional construction techniques that combine carved concave and convex parts without using metal fittings such as nails. Also, at Gojukken Nagaya, you can enjoy exhibitions of castle architecture models and videos.
Please enjoy the special experience of observing Japanese castle architecture techniques up close.
Gyokusen'inmaru Garden
Gyokusen'inmaru Garden was created in 1634 by the Kaga Domain, which used Kanazawa Castle as their residence, and was restored in 2015 based on historical materials. This garden is said to have been the private garden of the Kaga Domain lord, different from Kenroku-en, which was used for entertaining guests.
Gyokusen'inmaru Garden is a stroll-style garden centered around a pond, characterized by its three-dimensional structure with a 22-meter elevation difference from the pond bottom to the surrounding stone walls.
The greatest highlight of this garden is the waterfall that flows down against the backdrop of beautiful stone walls made of various shaped stones such as squares and hexagons. At "Gyokusen'an Rest House," a rest area in Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, you can enjoy matcha tea and Japanese sweets while viewing the traditionally beautiful garden.
Different Attractions by Season! Key Highlights of Kanazawa Castle Park
At Kanazawa Castle Park, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons: spring cherry blossoms, summer deep greenery, autumn foliage, and winter snow scenes. The seasonal illuminations held jointly with Kenroku-en are particularly popular with both locals and tourists.
In Kanazawa, where the climate and scenery change dramatically with each season, you can experience completely different atmospheres depending on when you visit. Below, we will introduce in detail the charms of Kanazawa Castle Park by season.
Spring (March to May):
You can enjoy the gorgeous scenery where Kanazawa Castle's traditional architecture blends with quintessentially Japanese cherry blossoms. Ishikawa-mon gate, where you can see the castle architecture through the cherry blossoms, is particularly a popular photo spot. For those who want to see cherry blossoms in full bloom, it's recommended to check the blooming status on the official website in advance.
Summer (June to August):
This is the season when the white and gray castle architecture stands out beautifully against the lush green nature, highlighting the beauty of traditional architecture. In June, the "Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival" is held to honor the great achievements of Maeda Toshiie, who contributed to Kanazawa's development as the lord of Kanazawa Castle. During the festival period, the castle is illuminated, allowing you to enjoy a solemn and fantastical atmosphere.
Autumn (September to November):
This is the season when you can enjoy quintessentially Japanese spectacular views created by the colorful autumn foliage and Kanazawa Castle's traditional architecture. Particularly at Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, the autumn leaves are reflected in the pond, creating an elegant atmosphere. From October onwards, as the heat subsides and it becomes cooler, you can comfortably enjoy strolling through the park.
Winter (December to February):
This is the season when Kanazawa Castle's white-based architecture, covered in snow, becomes even more strikingly beautiful. During illuminations on snowy nights, Kanazawa Castle emerges in the snowy landscape, offering mystical scenery.
Access to Kanazawa Castle & Kanazawa Castle Park
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・Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Access: Take a local bus or "Kanazawa Loop Bus" from Kanazawa Station, get off at "Kenrokuen GardenKanazawa Castle Park" bus stop, about 5 minutes on foot
・Operating hours: [March 1 to October 15] 7:00-18:00 [October 16 to end of February] 8:00-17:00 Night opening every Saturday and designated days
[Hishi YaguraGojukken NagayaHashizume-mon gateKahoku-mon gateNezumitamon gateGyokusen'an Rest House] 9:00-16:30 (Last admission 16:00)
・Closed: Open year-round
・Phone number: 076-234-3800
・Official website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/
If You're Interested in Kanazawa's Traditional Streetscapes, Have Locals Guide You Through the Historic Streets!
The Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour is a guided tour that takes you around Kanazawa's major tourist attractions including Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en, and Higashi Chaya District in half a day. An attractive feature of this tour is that you can enjoy meals while viewing Japan's oldest fountain and traditional streetscapes.
Since Kanazawa was spared from war damage and disasters, its historic streetscapes remain, characterized by winding and complex street structures. By exploring with a local guide, you can enjoy sightseeing while gaining a deeper understanding of the geography and history of Kanazawa Castle's castle town.
Since this tour involves walking more than 4km, please prepare appropriate measures against heat or cold depending on the season you visit.
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・Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
・Tour area: Musashigasutji ~ Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en area ~ Higashiyama
・Start time: 10:00~
3 Top Tourist Destinations in Kanazawa Recommended for Kanazawa Castle Lovers
For those who have visited Kanazawa Castle, we also recommend visiting popular tourist spots where you can further experience Kanazawa's traditional culture and gourmet cuisine. We'll introduce famous Kanazawa locations that are within walking distance from Kanazawa Castle, so please use this as a reference to make your Kanazawa sightseeing even more fulfilling.
Kenroku-en
Kenroku-en is one of Japan's three most famous gardens and is a stroll-style garden adjacent to Kanazawa Castle Park. A stroll-style garden places a pond at the center of a large garden, with tea houses and other facilities arranged around it where visitors can rest while enjoying a leisurely walk. At Kenroku-en, you can enjoy the colorful nature of each season within the meticulously maintained garden.
Among the seasonal natural attractions at Kenroku-en, winter is my particular favorite. In winter, "Yukitsuri" (snow protection ropes) are installed to protect the trees from heavy, moisture-laden snow, creating beautiful snowy landscapes that have become a winter tradition of Kanazawa.
Kenroku-en is a garden that was developed over many years by the Maeda Family of the Kaga Domain, who used Kanazawa Castle as their residence. Since Kenroku-en is only about a 5-minute walk from Kanazawa Castle, please visit both together to experience Kanazawa's prosperous history.
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・Address: 1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Business Hours: [March 1 - October 15] 7:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:30) [October 16 - End of February] 8:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
・Closed: Open year-round
・Phone: 076-234-3800
・Official Website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/
Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District features traditional streetscapes that symbolize Kanazawa and serves as a valuable cultural asset that carries on the tea house culture from the Edo period to the present day. In this tea house district, you can enjoy strolling through beautiful scenery where traditional architecture lines the stone-paved streets in orderly fashion.
At Higashi Chaya District, you can not only enjoy walking around but also tour the interiors of tea house buildings constructed over 200 years ago. Some tea houses offer the special experience of enjoying matcha and Japanese sweets inside tea house architecture designated by the national government as cultural properties of particular preservation value.
This tea house district also has many shops where you can purchase traditional crafts such as Kutani ware and gold leaf, as well as cafes where you can savor sweets including Japanese confections.
Higashi Chaya District is accessible from Kanazawa Castle by bus or on foot in about 15 minutes. Please visit and capture the atmospheric streetscapes as photographic memories of your Kanazawa trip.
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・Address: 1-chome Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Business Hours: Varies by store ※Main stores as follows:
[Shima] 9:30-17:30 (December-February: 9:30-17:00)
[Hakuza Hikarigura] 9:30-18:00 (Until 17:30 in winter)
[Gold Leaf Sakuda Main store] 9:00-17:00 (Subject to seasonal changes)
・Closed: Varies by store ※Main stores as follows:
[Shima] None
[Hakuza Hikarigura] None
[Gold Leaf Sakuda Main store] None
・Phone: Varies by store ※Main stores as follows:
[Shima] 076-252-5675
[Hakuza Hikarigura] 076-251-8930
[Gold Leaf Sakuda Main store] 076-251-6777
・Official Website: https://chayagai.goldleaf-sakuda.jp/
Omicho Market
Omicho Market has been described as "Kanazawa's kitchen" for about 300 years and is a treasure trove of food beloved by locals. Omicho Market offers an abundance of ingredients unique to Kanazawa, including fresh seafood caught in the waters near Kanazawa and locally produced vegetables.
At Omicho Market, the attractive point is that you can enjoy Kanazawa's specialty gourmet foods all at once, including sushi and seafood bowls made with fresh seafood, Kanazawa oden (a Japanese hot pot dish where boiled eggs and vegetables are simmered in broth), and Kanazawa curry.
Among the exquisite gourmet foods gathered at Omicho Market, what I especially recommend to food lovers is the seafood bowl. With seafood bowls, you can savor a rich variety of seafood including sweet shrimp and crab. Kanazawa's seafood bowls, which gather high-quality fresh seafood due to their proximity to fishing ports, are supreme delicacies with no fishy smell and are easy to eat.
Omicho Market is accessible from Kanazawa Castle in about 10 minutes on foot. After experiencing the history of Kanazawa Castle, please also enjoy the exquisite gourmet foods that can only be tasted in Kanazawa.
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・Address: 50 Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Business Hours: Varies by store (Many stores operate around 9:00-17:00)
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: 076-231-1462
・Official Website: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/
When You Come to Kanazawa, Also Savor the Local Exquisite Cuisine!
The Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour is a night tour that visits three hidden izakaya (Japanese bars) and restaurants beloved by locals. On this tour, you can taste authentic exquisite gourmet foods such as sashimi made with fresh seafood caught in the waters near Kanazawa and Kanazawa oden infused with the broth used in Japanese cuisine.
An attractive point of this tour is that you can also compare and taste local sake from Ishikawa Prefecture, which is known as a famous sake-producing region. While learning about recommended brands and Kanazawa's sake culture from sake experts, you can thoroughly savor the delicate flavors that differ from brand to brand.
Since this tour also includes strolling through traditional samurai residences, we recommend participating in comfortable walking shoes.
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・Meeting point: In front of the clothing store "BEAMS" in Korinbo Ramoda Bldg
・Tour area: Korinbo to Katamachi
・Start time: 18:00~
