It's really the walls of the bygone era. Most of the houses, even though large, were built after the area revitalised. Large parcels of land. The Samauri House is worth a visit to give you perspective of what the homes were like. This is only a partial part of the home that remains. The carvings, silk screen doors, courtyard, and gardens give a glimpse as to the decor. The structure is deceiving and larger than appears. The gardens tranquil with 3 large koi drifting casually in pond. Other houses have beautiful entries. It's clearly now an upmarket area in which to live. The alleyways offer the idea with narrow lanes walled on either side. It's not a large area but easy to pass 2-3 hours. Shopping runs parallel to area. Old canal passes through area where water was drawn from.
The Nagamachi Samurai District is preserved historical neighborhood that once housed mid- to high-ranking samurai of the powerful Maeda clan during the Edo period (1603–1868). Located at the foot of Kanazawa Castle, this district offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past with its narrow lanes, earthen walls, and traditional samurai residences.
The district's name, "Nagamachi," translates to "Long Town," though it's believed to derive from the surname of a local family, "Cho," which can also be pronounced "naga." Unlike many other historical areas in Japan, Nagamachi escaped destruction during World War II, allowing it to retain much of its original Edo-period charm. Visitors can stroll along stone-paved streets lined with restored samurai houses (bukeyashiki), canals, and private entrance gates, all contributing to the district's authentic atmosphere.
Key attractions of Nagamachi:
Nomura-ke: a restored samurai residence.
Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum: Two reconstructed homes of foot soldiers, offering insight into the lives of lower-ranking samurai.
Shinise Kinenkan Museum: A former pharmacy displaying exhibits related to the merchant class and local crafts.
I popped along at about 20:00 on a cold and rainy/sleety Sunday night and, unsurprisingly, I pretty much had the streets to myself. As you can see, it was worth it. A beautiful traditional district that is bound on most sides by dining options though is itself seemingly just a residential area.
I was here on 03/30 and, even though the rest of the city was mostly blossom free, the tree at the centre of the area was fairly well covered in blooms.
It has public toilets too, which is handy if you're caught short.
We visited the district at night. It was just one or two streets. The buildings were partly modernized but the old town atmosphere was still wonderful. It gave us a glimpse of the past when samurais lived there.
This is one of the places you cannot miss when you visit Kanazawa. The houses in this place that used to be the residences of the samurai class of Kanazawa are beautifully preserved, with many of them still being used up to this day.
If you love many things Japanese such as their architecture and gardens, then this place is an absolute treat for you. It is like being transported to the olden days.
We came here on a cold weekday last February 2025 so there weren't too many people. It was very relaxing and serene to walk around this place.
