🗺️ Samurai Residence Ruins - Nomura Family武家屋敷跡 野村家

In the 11th year of Tenshō (1853), the samurai Maeda Toshiie entered Kanazawa Castle and took on a key position in the Kaga Domain at the former site of the Nomura family's residence, which had served as a home for the retainers of the Maeda family for 11 generations. The Nagamachi area is home to many former residences of middle and upper-ranking samurai of the Kaga Domain, but this is the only samurai residence open to the public. The current building retains parts of the original earthen walls and winding streams, and has been relocated here along with the upper reception room and audience room used by Kaga Domain merchants to entertain the lord. In the upper reception room, built entirely of hinoki (Japanese cypress), visitors can see fusuma-e (painted sliding doors) created by artists specifically commissioned by the Kaga Domain. To enjoy the garden view, glass lattice doors with embedded glass have been installed. Additionally, on the second floor, there is a tea room called "Bokuan," where guests can enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets (matcha for 300 yen) while overlooking the beautiful Japanese garden below. It is worth mentioning that the Nomura family's garden was ranked third in a list of Japanese gardens by a specialized American garden magazine. The premises also feature a museum called "Onikawa Bunko," converted from a storehouse, which displays swords passed down through the Nomura family, as well as letters from various famous samurai.

The only open historical site among the residences of the upper-class samurai in the Nagamachi area. Within the upper floors, you can appreciate the beauty of the fusuma-e (sliding door paintings) and the Japanese garden. It is recommended to enjoy matcha and wagashi (Japanese sweets) while gazing at the Japanese garden from the tea room on the second floor. The "Onikawa Bunko" displays swords and letters sent by famous warlords.