Ishikawa Prefecture

Castles and historical sites in Ishikawa Prefecture

Ishikawa Prefecture's history spans from the prehistoric Jomon period to the Edo-era samurai culture. This list features the three preserved geisha districts of Kanazawa—Higashi, Kazuemachi, and Nishi—characterized by traditional wooden architecture. It includes the surviving 18th and 19th-century gates of Kanazawa Castle, alongside the Torigoe and Imae castle ruins. Archaeological sites like Mawaki and Okyouzuka provide insight into Jomon-period settlements through excavated artifacts and reconstructed dwellings.

Castles and Historical Sites — Map

くろふね / CC BY 3.0

A

Higashi Chaya District

This district is named after chaya - a traditional house where the guests would come to see a performance by geishas.

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

B

Kazuemachi

This old geisha district is a labyrinth of traditional houses where geishas used to perform.

金沢市 / CC BY 2.1 jp

C

Nichi-chaya-gai

This teahouse district is quite small comparing to Higashi-Chayagai. There are not many places to enter but you can just wander through…

(WT-shared) Kagaland at wts wikivoyage / CC BY-SA 1.0

D

Ishikawa Gate

This gate survived the huge fire in 1881 so you can see it in its original beauty. It is the main entrance to the Kanazawa Castle Park.

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Kahokumon Gate

The Kahoku-mon gate is one of the main gates to Kanazawa Castle. Inside, there is a small exposition about the history of this gate.

MathieuMD / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Okyouzuka Ruins

The Okyōzuka Site is an archaeological site with the ruins of a middle to final Jōmon period settlement in the Kyōzuka neighborhood of the…

MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Mawaki Site

The Mawaki Site is an archaeological site with the ruins of a Jōmon period settlement in the Mawaki neighborhood of the city of Noto,…

H

鳥越城址

A late 16th-century mountain castle that served as a major stronghold for the Ikko-ikki religious rebels. The site features reconstructed gates, earthen walls, and dry moats overlooking the Tedori River valley.

I

今江城址

The former site of a medieval flatland castle associated with the Togashi clan and the Ikko-ikki uprising. Located in Komatsu, the area is now marked by historical monuments near a local shrine.

Other Lists

Ishikawa Prefecture: The Absolute Essentials Kanazawa Editor's Picks Kanazawa Museums & Galleries Japanese Religious Sites Japanese Culture & Crafts Nature and Viewpoints