All Reviews of Kanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa Castle Park

In Tensho 11 (1583), Maeda Toshiie entered Kanazawa Castle and then began formally constructing the castle. It is said that Toshiie invited the famous Christian daimyo Takayama Ukon to oversee the construction. The Otemon Gate was also moved from Nishichoguchi to Osakaguchi around this time. However, the residences of senior retainers were located within the castle grounds at the time, so the castle itself was not very spacious. After the keep was destroyed by lightning in Keicho 7 (1602), it was never rebuilt. A three-story turret was later built in the Honmaru, while a palace was built in the Ninomaru.
After a fire in Kan'ei 8 (1631), the castle's layout changed as the Ninomaru was expanded and water was brought in through the Tatsumi Canal, among other projects. The samurai residences were also moved outside the castle. The inner moat was then excavated, and the soil removed from it was used to form the various baileys.
The fire of Horeki 9 (1759) destroyed nearly the entire castle. The subsequent reconstruction emphasized practicality and focused on the Ninomaru, while the turrets in the Honmaru were not rebuilt. The Saikusho workshops were also moved from Shinmaru to Dogata during this period. The existing Ishikawamon Gate was later rebuilt in Tenmei 8 (1788).
The Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura, restored in Heisei 13 (2001), recreate the castle's appearance during the Ansei era. The original structures had been rebuilt after the Ninomaru fire of Bunka 5 (1808) and were then destroyed in the fire of Meiji 14 (1881).

Kanazawa Castle Park was once the residence of the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain and is now an important place to learn about Kanazawa's history and architectural culture. The park preserves historic buildings such as the Ishikawa Gate and Sanjikken Nagaya, and castle structures such as the Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume Gate have also been reconstructed. The Gojikken Nagaya is particularly impressive. One of the most fascinating features of Kanazawa Castle is its variety of stone walls, with distinctive masonry styles from different periods. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn, and each season offers a different view. It's a great place to visit together with nearby Kenrokuen Garden.

Kanazawa Castle Park is one of Kanazawa's most iconic historical attractions. As soon as you enter the park, you can feel the strong atmosphere of an old Japanese castle. The white castle walls and elegant wooden buildings look especially beautiful against the blue sky and greenery.

As you stroll through the park, you can admire the stone walls, castle gates, and traditional buildings, with plenty of picturesque scenery along the way. The spacious grounds are pleasant to walk around, and you can take your time experiencing Kanazawa's history and culture.

In Kanazawa, definitely plan to visit Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle on the same day! Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle are right next to each other, just a few minutes apart on foot, so they’re perfect to do together.

Stroll through Kenroku-en and enjoy the garden scenery that changes with the seasons, then head into Kanazawa Castle, which is full of historic atmosphere. You can take in the impressive stone walls and architecture while experiencing both nature and history in one trip.

Taking your time at both spots takes about half a day to a full day. The photo opportunities are beautiful, too. It’s a classic Kanazawa itinerary you absolutely shouldn’t miss!

Kanazawa Castle Park is a classic must-see spot when visiting Kanazawa. It’s right next to Kenrokuen, so you can enjoy Japanese history and natural beauty in one trip.

The park grounds are spacious, and the well-preserved Ishikawa Gate, impressive stone walls, and reconstructed Hishi Yagura and Gojikken Nagaya are all well worth seeing. It really feels like stepping back into the Edo period.

Strolling along the lush green paths is beautiful both during the day and around sunset, and it’s a great place for photos. The cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn are especially charming.

If you’re traveling independently in Kanazawa, I recommend visiting it together with Kenrokuen to experience the unique appeal of this historic city.

There are other attractions like Kenroku-en nearby, so it’s super convenient for a day trip.

It's right next to Kenrokuen, so it's easy to stop by and check out the park while you're there.

I stopped by after visiting Kenrokuen, but honestly, there wasn't much to see here. A bit disappointing.