In Kanazawa’s Honda-no-Mori Park are two connected museums that are good value for both history enthusiasts and for families with small children. These are the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History and the Kaga-Honda Museum.
The museums are housed in connected red brick buildings
The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History
The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History is divided between the paid History Discovery Building and the free Interaction Experience Building. The History Discovery Building follows the course of local history from the prehistoric Jomon era, through the age of the samurai, and up to the development of modern Ishikawa. The past is illustrated with artifacts, dioramas, models, and life-sized reconstructions.
A reconstruction of a Showa era living room around 1957
This room immerses you in the sights and sounds of a local festival
The Interaction Experience Building includes a gallery about the red brick buildings, a theatre, map and information areas, workshop rooms, event spaces, and a museum shop. Its hands-on history area has offered costumes and replica objects, but visitors should check the museum’s notices before planning a visit around that activity.
A reconstructed farmhouse hearth with objects children can pick up and handle
The Kaga-Honda Museum
The Kaga-Honda Museum displays antique treasures of the Honda family, who were an old samurai family that served the local rulers. Here you can see weapons, armor, and horse-riding equipment, as well as beautiful ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy. The museum gives a real insight into samurai life and culture.
A diorama of Kanazawa in the museum entrance hall
The Three Red Brick Museum Buildings
Both Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History and the Kaga-Honda Museum are housed in three connected red brick buildings in the Honda-no-Mori Park area. The Museum of History occupies the first two buildings and the Kaga-Honda Museum is in the third building. You can visit these museums separately but there is a combined ticket available for both museums. These buildings were built between 1909 and 1914 as military warehouses but were used by Kanazawa College of Art after World War 2. In 1986 they were converted into museums and because of the high standard of their conservation and renovation they were designated as Important Cultural Properties in 1990 and won the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize in 1991. Because of their distinctive appearance the museums here are collectively known as “Ishikawa Red Brick Museum.”
The Ishikawa Red Brick Museum
Facilities
Tickets for the paid museum areas are sold at the History Discovery Building counter, and staff can direct visitors between the connected buildings. The museum shop sells souvenir maps, postcards and books in Japanese.
Wheelchairs and children’s pushchairs are available at the reception desk.
Free parking is available for museum visitors, but spaces are limited and shared around the museum buildings.
A rest area between buildings. There are vending machines for drinks and snacks
Access
These two museums are located to the south of Kenrokuen Garden and are very close to both Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art and Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theatre. To get there from Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus or a suitable Hokutetsu route bus toward the Honda-no-Mori and Kenrokuen Garden area. The Dewa-machi bus stop is about a 3-5 minute walk from the museum buildings, and the Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum bus stop is about an 8 minute walk away. The Kanazawa Loop Bus fare is 220 yen for adults and 110 yen for children. Here is a map of the location.
Open: 9.00 – 17.00 (last entry at 16.30)
The Museum of History is closed during the year-end/New Year holiday and during exhibition renewal or maintenance periods.
The Kaga-Honda Museum is closed from December 29th to January 3rd, on Thursdays from December through February, and during exhibition renewal periods.
Museum of History Admission Fees:
Adults: 300 yen
University Students: 240 yen
High School Students & younger: Free
Kaga-Honda Museum Admission Fees:
Adults: 400 yen
University Students: 300 yen
High School Students & younger: Free
Combined Ticket for Both Museums:
Adults: 500 yen
University Students: 400 yen
High School Students & younger: Free
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 02-Jun-2026.
