What other travelers are saying about Seisonkaku Villa
I liked walking inside this medieval villa built by a Maeda lord for his mother. It is filled with artifacts such as scrolls, carvings, and clothes from an ancient time. Do note that you can only take pictures of the garden—taking photos are prohibited for the rest of the displays. The highlight for me was being able to gaze at the garden while it was raining, it was such a peaceful experience. The only thing I wish is that the lighting could be made a little brighter.
Seisonkaku Villa was built by a Maeda lord for his mother in the late Edo period, showcasing Kanazawa's samurai elite's opulent lifestyle and architectural elegance.
The villa is noted for its use of vibrant colors, intricate woodwork, and elegantly designed gardens, reflecting the sophisticated aesthetics of the samurai class.
Photography may be restricted inside the villa to preserve the integrity of the artifacts and decor, but the gardens are usually open for photography.
The villa occasionally hosts special exhibitions, tea ceremonies, and cultural events that highlight aspects of Kanazawa's samurai heritage.
Workshops and activities like traditional tea ceremonies or kimono dressing are sometimes available, especially during special events.
Fabulous place to visit! Built in 1863, this Villa was intended by Maeda Nariyasu for his mother to live out her retirement years comfortably. The villa is very large (1000m2) and 2 stories, but the garden is over 4 times larger and circumnavigated the villa and backs directly on to the Kenrokuen-en Gardens. The villa is very preserved, with several artefacts also on display. There is loads on information in Japanese and English. I would highly recommend a visit to this villa. No photos allowed inside, but photos of the gardens are fine. No shoes in the building. Free lockers are available .
Hidden within Kenrokuen is this villa that used to belong to the Maeda clan. The downstairs rooms all have exhibits with plenty of English explanatory information. Exhibits include many everyday items including toys and dolls. An interesting feature is the sliding doors which all have special decorations that enumerate the order in which the doors should be placed. Upstairs has fewer exhibits, but there's an interesting doll which is said to have protective powers. It's a pity no photos are allowed in the house except for the garden.
The most gorgeous traditional Japanese house with fancy decorations and goods resided by Maeda family. It has a lot of different architectural styles and materials which makes the house unique. Photos are only allowed in the gardens.
Admission is 700 yen, a bit expensive for the size and exhibition if you don’t really know the history, but worth visiting when you come to Kanazawa for the first time.
