Kanazawa’s Nagamachi area, which was once the castle town of the Kaga Hyakumangoku clan, was inhabited by samurai during the Kaga Domain era, and is lined with samurai residences.
The stone pavements and earthen walls of the old days still remain, and among them is the Nomura family’s samurai residence, which is open to the public.
The Nomura family’s residence is a perfect combination of a prestigious building and a tasteful garden.
In particular, the sliding door paintings in the “Upper Room” and the swords and armor of the Nomura family are a must-see.
The samurai residences were awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, a guidebook for foreign tourists published in 2009, and were ranked third in a 2003 ranking of Japanese gardens by an American garden magazine, attracting many foreign visitors.
Gorgeous house and beautiful garden
The Naga-machi Samurai Residence Ruins has a tasteful atmosphere with its earthen walls and alleyways. The Nomura family is the only house among these that is open to the public.
The Nomura family’s luxurious house and its elegant garden are highly acclaimed around the world.
The Nomura Family is the former residence of Nobusada Nomura Denbei, who served under Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga Domain.
The Nomura family held the position of magistrate for generations, but with the dismantling of the samurai system, the occupants of the house changed, and the current building is a partial reconstruction of the house of Kubo Hikobei, a wealthy merchant of the Kaga clan.
The highlights of the mansion include the “Upper Room,” the all-cypress coffered ceiling, the shoji doors with diamond-shaped shutters, and the fusuma paintings by the Kaga clan’s official painter.
In the garden, old mountain peach and shii trees over 400 years old still remain, and the beautiful three-dimensional arrangement of kyokusui (a waterway with a curved path), rakusui (a waterfall), a large snow-viewing lantern, and a large cherry granite bridge are a must-see.
Relaxing in the Tea House
On the second floor, there is a tea ceremony room where you can enjoy powdered green tea and casually experience the tea ceremony.
In the tea room with the fragrance of wood made from 1,000-year-old trees, you will feel a special moment when you listen to the sound of water, look out the window at the beautiful garden, and relax while enjoying matcha green tea and dried confections.
Traces of History
Inside the mansion is the Onikawa Bunko (Onikawa Library), an exhibition and reference library that displays swords of the Nomura family, letters from the Maeda family and Mitsuhide Akechi, and inkstone boxes decorated with paintings and maki-e, allowing visitors to learn about history while experiencing the atmosphere of a samurai residence.
In this samurai residence, visitors can directly view the interior and recall the good old days with its gorgeous upper banquet room, fusuma paintings of landscapes, tea ceremony room, and a large, 400-year-old mountain peach tree. Because it is a popular spot, morning is recommended for those who wish to take their time and appreciate the beauty of the house.
April - September: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
October - March: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
January 1 and 2, December 26 and 27
Adults 550 yen
High school student 400 yen
Elementary and junior high school students 250 yen
From JR Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Castle Town Shuttle Bus, Hokuriku Railways Route Bus, or Nishinippon JR Bus. 5 minute walk from Korinbo Bus Stop.
5 minute walk from Korinbo Yamato/Atrio and Korinbo Tokyu Square/Nichigin-mae bus stops on the Machi Bus.
From JR Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Flat Bus Nagamachi Route and get off at Nagamachi Buke Yashiki Ato bus stop. 1 minute walk from the bus stop.