The Nomura Family Samurai House

Nomura Family Samurai House Ruins is a distinguished former samurai residence located in Kanazawa’s Nagamachi Samurai District, where cobblestone streets and earthen walls preserve the atmosphere of an Edo-period townscape.

Although many former residences of middle- and upper-ranking samurai of the Kaga Domain remain in the Nagamachi area, Nomura Family Samurai House is the only one that is open to the public with interior access, making it a valuable historical attraction and a popular sightseeing spot.

The Nomura family traces its origins to Nomura Denbei Nobusada, a retainer who accompanied Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga Domain, when he entered Kanazawa Castle. Over the next eleven generations, the family held important posts in the domain. During the Edo period, they are said to have served as heads of the samurai cavalry and as magistrates, playing a significant role within the Kaga Domain.

Highlights of the Residence and Its Architecture

The current residence is not entirely an original Edo-period building, but some features from that era remain, such as earthen walls and a curved water channel.

At the center of the house are buildings relocated from the “Jodan-no-ma” and “Ekken-no-ma” rooms once used by wealthy Kaga merchants to receive the domain lord, giving the residence an air of samurai prestige.

Inside, visitors can see spaces designed in the shoin-zukuri style, considered typical of samurai residences, with differences in floor level between rooms. In particular, the “Jodan-no-ma,” the highest-status room, symbolizes the class system of samurai society and allows visitors to imagine the lifestyle and formality of the time.

The elegant all-cypress construction and beautiful coffered ceilings are also highlights, reflecting the refined aesthetics of samurai culture in the architectural details.

Fusuma Paintings and Decorations in the Jodan-no-ma

One of the major attractions of Nomura Family Samurai House is the fusuma sliding-door paintings in the “Jodan-no-ma,” created by painters employed by the Kaga Domain.

The sliding doors and walls feature landscape paintings by artists of the Kano school, allowing visitors to appreciate the refined artistic sensibility unique to a samurai residence.

The shoji screens, designed to overlook the garden, include glass panels known as gyaman, revealing the luxury and high cultural level of the time.

A Garden Recognized by the World

What particularly captivates visitors to Nomura Family Samurai House is its beautiful Japanese garden.

The garden is a pond-strolling garden centered around a pond, designed to be viewed while seated from the veranda. Carp swim in the water, and lanterns, stepping stones, stone bridges, waterfalls, and ancient trees are skillfully arranged, creating a tranquil landscape that feels like a natural scene captured in place.

With changes in elevation throughout the garden, the limited space is given depth and a sense of three-dimensionality. Some ancient trees are said to be several hundred years old, allowing visitors to enjoy a quiet landscape where history and nature are in harmony.

Despite being located near a busy downtown area, the residence is astonishingly quiet, offering the feeling of stepping into another world.

High Praise from Abroad

Nomura Family Samurai House has received high acclaim internationally.

In the Michelin Green Guide Japan, published in 2009 for foreign visitors, it was awarded two stars.

It has also been highly rated in the Japanese garden rankings published by the American specialist magazine Journal of Japanese Gardening, and was ranked third in 2003.

For this reason, Nomura Family Samurai House is known as a place in Kanazawa where visitors can experience “garden and architectural beauty recognized by the world.”

Onikawa Bunko Museum and Exhibits

On the grounds is Onikawa Bunko, a museum renovated from a storehouse.

Here, visitors can view swords, armor, and letters sent by famous warlords, offering a deeper understanding of samurai history.

Armor is sometimes displayed inside the residence as well, allowing visitors to feel the samurai atmosphere from the moment they enter the front door.

Tea Room “Fubakuan” and Matcha Experience

On the second floor of the residence is the tea room “Fubakuan,” where visitors can enjoy matcha and traditional sweets while overlooking the garden.

The garden looks different from above, offering a more three-dimensional and profound view, making this a must-try experience when visiting.

Enjoying tea while gazing at the garden in a quiet space is one of the most luxurious moments in the Nagamachi Samurai District.

A Perfect Addition to a Visit to the Nagamachi Samurai District

The Nagamachi area surrounding Nomura Family Samurai House still has lanes lined with earthen walls and stone pavement, allowing visitors to strongly sense the atmosphere of the Edo period simply by walking through it.

Because you can experience the ambiance of the town where samurai once lived, combining a visit to Nomura Family Samurai House with a stroll through the district offers a richer historical sightseeing experience.

Nomura Family Samurai House stands as a symbol of samurai culture preserved in the Nagamachi Samurai District and is the only former samurai residence in the area open to the public.

Inside, visitors can appreciate the Kaga Domain’s prestige and aesthetic sensibility through the fusuma paintings in the Jodan-no-ma, the shoin-style rooms, and the gyaman shoji screens.

The beautiful pond-strolling garden is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad, and has been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

In addition, Onikawa Bunko exhibits valuable historical materials such as swords, armor, and letters from warlords, making it an appealing destination for history enthusiasts.

There is also the tea room Fubakuan, where visitors can enjoy matcha while looking out over the tranquil garden, making it a highly recommended place to spend a relaxing and distinctly Kanazawa-like moment.