Step Inside Kanazawa’s Ever-Changing Castle, Prepare for Something New to See

Kanazawa Castle in Kanazawa is a site known for its perpetual transformation. Originally a Buddhist temple belonging to the Honganji sect in 1546, the area later fell under the control of samurai and underwent various changes. The daimyo Maeda Toshiie and his descendants transformed the castle and Kanazawa into a prosperous domain renowned for its cultured lifestyle.

However, the main keep and palace were destroyed in the early 17th century and never replaced. Instead, visitors today encounter a forested area with a path along a pond, occasionally encountering playful frogs.

As visitors approach the Honmaru Park, they are greeted by a tree-lined walkway originating from the stone walls surrounding the park. Despite numerous calamities, remnants of Edo period (1603-1867) buildings still stand, including the Sanjikken-nagaya Storehouse, a two-story hall used for arming, and the Ishikawa-mon Gate, the eastern entrance to the castle that encircles attackers in a square formation. Both structures are classified as Important National Cultural Assets.

Approaching the castle entrance, Oyama Shrine, which honors Toshiie and his wife, offers a distinctive main gate adorned with stained glass. The bridge spanning a street to the Nezumita-mon Gate and the Gyokuseninmaru Garden, a concave garden built in 2015, are also key attractions. The Hishi-yagura Turret, Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki-yagura Turret, and Gojikken-nagaya Storehouse, which replaced the main keep, are the most prominent structures among the reconstructed buildings.

The Ninomaru Palace, serving as the administrative headquarters, is currently under reconstruction and is expected to be completed by 2033, employing traditional methods and historical materials. The Noto Peninsula Earthquake has caused significant damage to the castle’s stone walls and walkways, leading to several sections being closed off for safety reasons.

Nonetheless, the castle offers a rich historical experience, with nearby historical sites such as restored geisha districts, warrior residences, and temples like the mysterious Myoryuji temple, filled with hidden traps and secrets.