Kenrokuen Garden

Kanazawa Castle Park is a historic park developed on the former site of the residence of the Maeda clan, the lords of Kaga Province, known for their immense wealth of one million koku. Located in central Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, it borders Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and the two are connected by Ishikawa Bridge. As one of Kanazawa’s signature sightseeing destinations, it is a popular spot visited by many tourists.

The appeal of Kanazawa Castle Park lies not only in the many historically valuable structures that remain, but also in its restored and magnificent castle architecture, beautiful stone walls, and rich natural surroundings. The park is spacious and well maintained, making it a valuable place where visitors can enjoy both history and nature while strolling through the grounds.

History of Kanazawa Castle

The history of Kanazawa Castle dates back to the Sengoku period. It is said to have begun when the Honganji Temple, which had gained control during the Kaga Ikko-ikki uprising, built Kanazawa Mido (Oyama Gobo) in 1546.

Later, in 1580, Sasa Narimasa began construction of the castle, and in 1583, Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the Kaga Domain, entered the castle from Noto. With Toshiie’s arrival, full-scale castle building began, and Kanazawa Castle came to play an important role as the center of the Kaga Domain.

However, in 1602, the main keep was destroyed by fire after being struck by lightning. It was never rebuilt, partly out of consideration for the Tokugawa shogunate. From then on, the castle was maintained with a three-story turret in the main enclosure and a palace in the second enclosure.

Then, after the great fire of 1631, the castle’s structure changed significantly, and samurai residences within the grounds were moved outside the castle. The inner moat was improved and the baileys were reorganized, gradually shaping the castle into its present form.

In the fire of 1759, most of the castle was destroyed, but reconstruction afterward focused on practicality, with development centered around the second enclosure.

From the Meiji period onward, Kanazawa Castle was used as an army base, and after the war it served as the campus of Kanazawa University. After being used as a university facility until 1995, it was developed as a park and opened to the public in 2001 as Kanazawa Castle Park.

Important Cultural Properties and Restored Structures

Kanazawa Castle Park contains many historically significant buildings. Among the most notable are the following structures, designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan:
- Ishikawa Gate
- Sanjikken Nagaya
- Tsurumaru Warehouse

Ishikawa Gate, rebuilt in 1788, remains a symbolic presence in Kanazawa Castle Park today. Its dignified gate structure is exceptionally beautiful and is also a popular photo spot.

Also open to the public as the park’s main paid-access facilities are the following restored structures, rebuilt in 2001:
- Hishi Yagura
- Gojikken Nagaya
- Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura

These buildings were originally reconstructed after the second enclosure fire of 1808, then destroyed in the fire of 1881, and later restored based on historical materials. In addition to their powerful exterior appearance, the interiors were also recreated using the construction methods of the time, making them a valuable place to experience the high level of Kanazawa Castle’s architectural techniques.

In 2010, Kahoku Gate, one of the three gates of Kanazawa Castle, was rebuilt and is also open to the public. Along with Ishikawa Gate, it is one of the park’s main highlights.

The Appeal of the Stone Walls and the Landscape

At Kanazawa Castle Park, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of stone walls, which are an essential element supporting the castle’s appeal. The shapes and stacking methods of the stone walls differ depending on the location, allowing visitors to observe changes over time and differences in techniques, which is a major feature of the park.

As you stroll through the grounds, the color and shape of the stone walls vary from place to place, so there is always something new to see. Kanazawa Castle Park is so impressive that it is often called a “museum of stone walls,” and it is popular not only among castle enthusiasts but also among general tourists.

Gyokuseninmaru Garden and Gyokusenan

The park also includes Gyokuseninmaru Garden, where visitors can enjoy a unique landscape created by ponds and stone walls. It is a space where the history of the castle and the beauty of a Japanese garden come together, offering a peaceful atmosphere for leisurely walks.

At Gyokusenan within the garden, matcha and Japanese sweets are served, allowing visitors to relax with seasonal fresh confections. It is a highly recommended place to take a break during a historical walk.

Abundant Nature and Wildlife

The appeal of Kanazawa Castle Park is not limited to its historic buildings. Many plants are grown throughout the grounds, allowing visitors to enjoy nature in every season. The area where the keep once stood is now a lush green space filled with trees, offering a sense of tranquility unique to a castle ruin and the richness of nature.

Animals may also be seen at times, adding to its appeal not only as a historic site but also as a natural park.

Night Illumination

Kanazawa Castle Park is also illuminated at night, offering a fantastical night view usually from sunset until around 9:00 p.m. The Ishikawa Gate and castle structures lit up by the lights have a beauty different from that of the daytime, making the park perfect for an evening stroll. In particular, the shadows and contours of the stone walls and gates are accentuated, enhancing the grandeur of the historic architecture.

Kanazawa Castle Park is a historic park developed on the former site of the Maeda family’s castle, and together with Kenrokuen Garden, it creates one of Ishikawa Prefecture’s most iconic landscapes. From Important Cultural Properties such as Ishikawa Gate, Sanjikken Nagaya, and Tsurumaru Warehouse to the restored Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura, as well as the rebuilt Kahoku Gate, there is no shortage of highlights.

In addition, the diverse stone walls, Gyokuseninmaru Garden, and Gyokusenan, where visitors can enjoy matcha, allow you to experience history, culture, and nature all at once simply by walking through the park. It is attractive both by day and at night, with lighting creating a different atmosphere depending on the time of visit.

When visiting Kanazawa, be sure to spend a relaxing time at Kanazawa Castle Park while feeling the history of the million-koku Kaga Domain.