Location Spots of the Kanazawa Area
Kotoji Stone Lantern (in Kenrokuen Garden)
- Category ：
- Historic Site / Landmark
- Location ：
- Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
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It is well known as a symbol of Kenrokuen Garden.
This lantern has two legs and transformed from Yukimi Lantern, which light up the surface of the water.
Because its form resembles Kotoji, the bridge on a koto, it is named like this.
The two legs were originally same long but one broke. It is now supported by a stone.
You can also see Niji Bridge and old trees with colorful autumn foliage nearby. The combination of them is very beautiful. Many tourists take pictures here.
Gojukken Nagaya
- Category ：
- Historic site / Scenic site
- Location ：
- Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- After spending more than 3 years, this building was reconstructed in July 2001 as a symbol of Kanazawa Castle Park. It features the lead roof tiles and Namako Kabe (slug walls) like the other structures of the castle, the Ishikawa-mon and Sanjukken Nagaya. The complex is one of the biggest wooden constructions in Japan built after the Meiji period.
Nagamachi Buke-yashiki
- Category ：
- Historic Site / Landmark
- Location ：
- Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- These old residences of the middle class samurais of Kaga clan are structured with ochre-walls, board-covered roofs, “nagaya-mon” gate and “bushi-mado” windows, redolent of bygone days. Komo (straw mat) to protect the walls from snow is seasonal tradition of Kanazawa.
Ishikawa Modern Literature Museum
- Category ：
- Historic Site / Landmark
- Location ：
- Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- This building was the former main building of the Fourth High School of Japan under old system designed by the renowned engineers of the Ministry of Education, Hanroku Yamaguch and Shozo Kume. The construction started in June 1889 and completed in July 1891. The school was loved by the people of Ishikawa as a symbol of the academic town, Kanazawa, and turned out leaders in politics, business and academia. The school was closed down by the educational system reform in 1950. The building was designated a national important cultural property in March 1969. Currently it is used as the literature museum collecting books, manuscripts, letters, diaries, photographs and other materials of modern and contemporary authors related to Ishikawa Prefecture.
Myoryuji Temple (Ninjadera)
- Category ：
- Shrine / Temple
- Location ：
- Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- Toshiie Maeda, the first lord of the Kaga clan built this Buddhist temple to pray for the protection of the clan. This temple is better known as Ninjadera (Ninja Temple) and a popular tourist spot because it is equipped with many gimmicks such as a hidden staircase, pit trap, hidden room, double door, etc. to defend against enemy invasion.
Daijoji Temple
- Category ：
- Shrine / Temple
- Location ：
- Nagasaka-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- Daijoji is a venerable temple of the Soto sect located about three kilometers south from the center of Kanazawa and next to the Nodayama graveyard where members of the Maeda family and Saisei Muro, a well-know author and poet were buried. The Zenshu-style complex of seven buildings (temple gate, sanctum, meditation hall, etc.) is laid out on a premise of 20,000 square meters. Even now, many trainee Zen monks are training in the austere atmosphere.
Oyama Jinja Shrine
- Category ：
- Shrine / Temple
- Location ：
- Oyama-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- The shrine dedicated to Toshiie Maeda, the founder of the Kaga clan, originally constructed as the Utatsu-hachmangu in 1599, was moved from the Mt. Utatsu to the current location and renamed as the Oyama shrine in 1873. The stained glass installed at the top of the gate and the circuit style garden are interesting to watch. Worshipped as the principal shrine of Kanazawa, the shrine is much loved by the residents.
Omi-cho Market
- Category ：
- Shopping Street / Entertainment District
- Location ：
- Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
-
Located in the bustling area of Musasi-ga-tsuji which had been flourishing since the early days, Omi-cho Ichiba was designated as the official dinning place (Gozenjo) of the Kaga clan in 1721. It has also supported the life of people for more than 270 years. “Omicho Ichiba-kan,” the marketplace newly opened in April 2009 provides more pleasant shopping environment while keeping its traditional atmosphere.
Higashi-Chaya District
- Category ：
- Town / Village
- Location ：
- Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
-
On the river bank of the Asano River running at the foot of the Mt. Utatsu, old houses with beautiful wooden window grille called “Kimusuko” are lined up, retaining some remnants of bygone days. After dusk, you can still hear the sound of shamisen (three-stringed instrument) and drums from those Chaya teahouses lighted by traditional eaves lanterns. It is also known as the locale of the novel “Sujaku-no-haka” written by Hiroyuki Itsuki. In 2001, the town was designated Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings and measures are taken to preserve the town’s cultural heritage.
Citizen's Art Center
- Category ：
- Park / Leisure
- Location ：
- Daiwa-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- Reusing the old spinning factory buildings, this art village is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. It includes facilities such as Satoyama-no-ie, Art Workshop, Drama Workshop, Music Workshop, Multi Workshop, and production and presentation spaces for each field. Kanazawa Institute of Traditional Crafts is located next to the village.
Asano River and Umenohashi Bridge
- Category ：
- Road / Bridge
- Location ：
- Namiki-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- Two major rivers running through the old capital of Kanazawa are the Saigawa River and Asanogawa River. the Kaga Yuzen dyed material are traditionally rinsed off in the calm currents of the Asano River, which is often called “female river.” The Umenohashi Bridge over the river is for pedestrians only. You can enjoy the magnificent views of Kanazawa from this bridge.
Hakucho-ro
- Category ：
- Road / Bridge
- Location ：
- Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- The strolling path from the Kenroku-en bus stop to the Ote-bori is Surrounded by greenery. Since it is for pedestrians only, you can stroll at leisure observing the bronze statues such as three great authors from Kanazawa, etc.
Double-Zaka (W-shaped Slope)
- Category ：
- Road / Bridge
- Location ：
- Kiyokawa-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- The Zigzag slope on the way from the Teramachi-dori to the Sakurabashi Bridge over the Saigawa River once was the favorite promenade for those students of The Fourth High School boarding at Teramachi-dai. The formal name is “Ishikari-zaka” but because it looks like a shape of “W” from down, it is called like this. The great author and poet Saisei Muro also liked to walk here. While ascending the slope, the beautiful view of the Sai River comes and goes.
Ishibiki Branch Office of the Ishikawa Prefectural Government
- Category ：
- Historical Facility / Ruin / Industrial Site / Vacant Lot
- Location ：
- Ishibiki, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- This simple Renaissance-style building was constructed on the ruin of the second palace (Ninomaru) of the Kanazawa Castle in 1898 and used as the 9th Divisional Headquarters of Imperial Japanese Army. It was moved to the current location in 1968.
Mt. Utatsu
- Category ：
- Night View / Night Life
- Location ：
- Suehiro-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.
- Attractions ：
- Attractions: As the mountain is not high (141 m) and located close to the city center, you can visit easily and enjoy the breathtaking night view of Kanazawa and its vicinities. It is chosen as one of the 100 Historical Parks in Japan.
About the Kanazawa Area
The castle town Kanazawa’s foundation was laid after the Lord Toshiie Maeda took rein of the Kanazawa Castle in 1583. The Maeda family was the most powerful lord in the Edo period ruling the three domains of Kaga, Noto and Etchu (Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures at the present time) with about one million two hundred thousand koku (an old unit of measurement equal to approx. 150 kg of rice).
The family stayed in Kanazawa for about 290 years through the Edo period and contributed to the development of the city as the political, economical and cultural center. Buddhist temples were moved to form three-temple groups: the Tatsumi irrigation canal was constructed for controlling flood and supplying water to the castle and many other canals were added to complete the irrigation system in the later years.
The Kenroku-en garden, which is now designated as a National Special Scenic Beauty, was landscaped by generations of the Maeda family. The Higashi Chaya-Gai and Nishi Chaya-Gai districts were founded at the end of the Edo period. These historical heritages still have the aesthetics and flavor of those days. Having been free from war damage, Kanazawa inherited not only those historical buildings and monuments, but also traditional arts, crafts and gastronomic culture. In 2009, it was designated as the first historical city of Japan.
Information of Kanazawa Film Commission
Kanazawa (or Ishikawa Prefecture) offers many film shooting spots unable to be found anywhere else. Permission for shooting a film at historical sites or public places can be arranged very smoothly. In addition, location coordinators with many years of experience in film provide free consultation for planning, scenario and location hunting to satisfy various needs of producers. We will strive to contribute to the regional development of Kanazawa and Ishikawa Prefecture.
