Nagamachi is a beautifully preserved historic area of Kanazawa that was once the residential district for the city’s samurai. It is a lovely area of canals and stone-flagged winding lanes that run between tile-topped earthen walls. Some of the former samurai houses and their gardens are also open for public viewing.
Nagamachi is one of Kanazawa’s best strolling districts
Nagamachi is an essential stop on your visit to Kanazawa and will give you a vivid idea of how city life was here a century or more ago. In this article we will introduce Nagamachi’s chief attractions.
Nomura Samurai House
Nomura Samurai House
Nomura Samurai House is a beautifully restored samurai residence that is open to the public as a museum. Inside you will find many family heirlooms, elegant antiques and historic artifacts, and one of the finest inner gardens in Japan. For more details on this building please see our article Nomura Samurai House & Garden.
Opening Hours:
April – September: 8:30 – 17:30
October – March: 8:30 – 16:30
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: December 26th & 27th and January 1st & 2nd
Entrance Fees:
Adults: 550 yen
15 – 17 years old: 400 yen
7 – 14 years old: 250 yen
Map
Senda-ke Garden
Senda-ke Garden is a Kanazawa City-designated cultural property and strolling garden located across from Nomura Samurai House. It was created in 1894 by former Kaga samurai Norifumi Senda, who was inspired by Kenrokuen Garden. The central pond is fed by the Onosho Canal, and the garden also has a small museum about Norifumi Senda, a shishi-odoshi bamboo water feature, and a suikinkutsu water sound ornament.
Opening Hours: 9.30 – 17.00
Closed: Mondays, Thursdays, and event days
Entrance Fees:
Adults: 700 yen
Children aged 6 – 12: 500 yen
Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall
Kanazawa Shinise Kinenkan
Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall, also known as Kanazawa Shinise Kinenkan, is a museum housed in a historical wooden townhouse. Inside you can find exhibits related to the merchant class of the city, a reconstructed old style pharmacy, a tea room, a traditional garden, and displays of local handicrafts. For more details on this museum please see our article Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall.
Opening Hours: 9.30 – 17.00 (Last entry at 16.30)
Closed: Mondays or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday, during display changes, and from December 29th to January 3rd
Entrance fees:
Adults: 100 yen
Senior High School Students and younger: Free
Map
Ashigaru Shiryokan
Ashigaru Shiryokan
Ashigaru Shiryokan are two carefully reconstructed houses that belonged to the families of Kanazawa’s foot soldiers: the Takanishi family and the Shimizu family. The simplicity of these homes presents an interesting contrast with the elegant residences of the high-ranking samurai.
Opening Hours: 9.30 – 17.00
Entrance Fees: Free
Map
Kyu-Kaga Hanshi Takada Family House
Kyu-Kaga Hanshi Takada Family House
Kyu-Kaga Hanshi Takada Family House, also known as Takada Family Samurai House Remains, is the site of a former Takada family residence. It has a restored nagaya-mon gate, servants’ quarters, a stable, and a charming stroll garden laid out around a pond.
Inside the Takada House stroll garden
Opening Hours: 9.30 – 17.00
Closed: None; open daily
Entrance Fees: Free
Map
Nagamachi Yuzenkan
Nagamachi Yuzenkan
Nagamachi Yuzenkan is a Kaga Yuzen silk-dyeing workshop and exhibition facility near the samurai district. Regular public opening has not resumed, and operations are expected to be irregular, so treat it as closed for ordinary sightseeing unless an opening notice is posted. Check the official website before planning a visit for exhibits, coloring experiences, or kimono dressing.
The distinctive earthern walls of Nagamachi
Access
To get to the Nagamachi district from Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus from Kanazawa Station East Gate Bus Terminal stop #7 and get off at Korinbo. The Left Loop is the shorter direction to Korinbo and takes about 10 minutes. The fare is 220 yen for adults and 110 yen for children. From Korinbo it is a 5 minute walk to Nagamachi.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 04-Jun-2026.
