🗺️ Kanazawa Castle Park金沢城公園

Kanazawa Castle served as the residence of the Maeda clan from the 11th year of Tenshō (1583) when Toshiie Maeda entered the castle until the early Meiji period. Kanazawa Castle Park is a vast park built on the castle site. It features the Ishikawa Gate and the Sanjūken Nagaya, which retain their Edo period appearance, along with the restored Kahoku Gate, Miyamoribori, and Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, gradually restoring the castle's former glory. The stone walls exhibit styles such as "Oni-mon-fū" and "Kikkō-ishi," reflecting the influence of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements philosophy. In 2001, the newly restored Hishiyagura, Gojūken Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzukiyagura, along with Ishikawa Gate and Sanjūken Nagaya, featured distinctive architecture with lead tiles and a sea cucumber moat. These are the largest wooden castle structures built in Japan after the Meiji period. They were constructed for the wartime defense of the Ninomaru, allowing close observation of features like arrow slits and gun ports, as well as the exterior walls with excellent fireproof structures. Additionally, in 2020, the Nezumi-mon and Nezumi-mon Bridge were completed, restoring their appearance for the first time in about 140 years since they were burned down during the Meiji era. The Nezumi-mon is characterized by its outer wall made of black sea cucumber plaster, and it served as an entrance to Gyokusen'inmaru, located on the west side of Kanazawa Castle, leading to Kanazaki Demaru (now within the boundary of Kanazawa's Oyamazaki Shrine). The wooden bridge spanning the water moat inside the gate is the largest of its kind in the castle. Kanazawa Castle Park hosts a lighting event every night, and the Gyokusen'inmaru Garden is open for visitors on Friday and Saturday evenings, offering a chance to enjoy the enchanting night view after the lights are illuminated.

Kanazawa Castle, second only to Edo Castle of Tokugawa Ieyasu, served as the residence of the Kaga Million Stone clan. Nearby is Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three famous gardens, which is recommended for a visit as well. The Hishi Yagura, the Gojukken Nagaya, and the Hashizume Gate have barrier-free spaces. A lighting event is held every night. The Gyokusen'inmaru Garden within Kanazawa Castle is open for visits on Friday and Saturday evenings.