5 Castles in Ishikawa worth your time
Japan Gems
Ishikawa Prefecture is home to five castles, including Kanazawa Castle and Nanao Castle. They offer a look into the region's historical architecture and strategic past.
Ishikawa has 5 castles on Japan Gems. Below are the 5 we can tell you the most about — each one written up in English from Japanese sources, with what to see and how to get there. See all castles in Ishikawa.
01
Nanao Castle
ISHIKAWA · CASTLE 七尾城
Nanao Castle, an impressive sixteenth-century fortress, offers visitors a sense of its historical appearance and commanding views.
What it is
- Impenetrable castle built in the early sixteenth century.
- Home fortress of the Hatakeyama family's Noto branch.
- Shrine constructed by Hatakeyama descendants in 1934.
What to see
- Bridge crossing a man-made valley.
- Winding path through a cedar forest with ramparts.
- Two defensive enclosures: ninomaru and sannomaru.
- Number of wells that supplied the compound with water.
- Signboards indicating how the stronghold may have looked.
- Ramparts with formidable interlocking stonework.
Getting there
- Parking area a short walk from the steps to the Honmaru.
- Walk to the main keep from the base of the mountain.
- Route starts near the Nanao Castle History Museum.
- Walk takes about one hour from the museum.
- Official site
- www.city.nanao.lg.jp
02
Kanazawa Castle
ISHIKAWA · CASTLE 金沢城
Kanazawa Castle offers rebuilt historic structures, including unique turrets, and relaxing gardens.
What it is
- Castle of the Maeda family, rulers of the Kaga domain.
- Built in 1580, rebuilt after many fires.
What to see
- Rebuilt turrets, including the diamond-shaped Hishi-Yagura.
- Panoramic views over Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa city.
- Connecting storehouse built with traditional woodworking methods.
- Grassy lawns for relaxation and recreation.
- Gyokuseninmaru Garden, a traditional-style garden.
When to go
- Daily free walking tours from March to December.
- Saturday free walking tours in January and February.
- Official site
- www.pref.ishikawa.jp
03
Torigoe Castle
ISHIKAWA · CASTLE 鳥越城
Explore Torigoe Castle, a mountain castle and National Historic Site, for a glimpse into samurai resistance.
What it is
- A Japanese mountain castle in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
- Designated as a National Historic Site.
- Built around 1573 as a base for the Yamauchi-shu resistance.
- Suppressed on March 1, 1582.
What to see
- The castle is built on a hill.
- The main enclosure is 312 meters above sea level.
- It measures 400 meters east-west and 1,200 meters north-south.
- The castle has seven main enclosures.
04
Matsunami Castle
ISHIKAWA · CASTLE 松波城
Explore 15th-century castle ruins, a dry garden, and learn about samurai history.
What it is
- A Japanese castle built in 1475 by Hatakeyama Yoshitomo.
- Home to the Matsunami Hatakeyama clan for six generations.
- Served as an auxiliary castle to Nanao Castle.
- Now a castle ruin park with an information center.
What to see
- Castle ruins, designated a prefectural historic site.
- A dry landscape garden from the 15th-16th century.
- The castle garden, a national scenic spot.
05
Komatsu Castle
ISHIKAWA · CASTLE 小松城
Komatsu Castle: a historic site with impressive remnants, rebuilt for a powerful lord.
What it is
- A historic castle site in Komatsu City.
- Built in 1576 by Wakabayashi Nagatomonokami.
- Rebuilt in 1639 as a retirement castle.
- Also known as 'Uki-jo' or 'Floating Castle'.
What to see
- The tenshudai, the main keep's stone base.
- Stone walls of the inner moat.
- Unagi-bashi Gomon gate, relocated to Raishoji Temple.