Castles and Historical Sites

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.

Higashi Chaya District

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

Kazuemachi

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

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…

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.

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.

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…

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,…

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.

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.