Nagamachi (長町) was a samurai district located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle, where samurai and their families used to reside. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining samurai residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals.
One of the main attractions of the district is the centrally located Nomura-ke, a restored samurai residence displaying the lifestyle and artifacts of the era when samurai were prosperous. In contrast is the Shinise Kinenkan Museum, a restored pharmacy displaying the lives of the merchant class which rose in prosperity as the samurai declined.
The district has a few other museums and restored structures, as well as a number of shops and restaurants scattered throughout. Below is list of some of the attractions around Nagamachi:
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Nomura-ke
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Centrally located in the Nagamachi District
Hours: 8:30 to 17:30 (until 16:30 from Oct through Mar)
Closed: December 26 and 27
Admission: 500 yen
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A restored samurai residence with a beautiful, small garden. The Nomura were a high ranked samurai family who, like many other samurai, went broke when Japan's feudal era came to an end with the Meiji Period.
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Shinise Kinenkan Museum
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5 minute walk south of Nomura-ke
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 100 yen
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The Shinise Kinenkan is a restored shop of the Edo Period. Once a prominent pharmacy, it now is a museum that also shows local Kanazawa crafts.
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Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan
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5 minute walk south of Nomura-ke
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 300 yen
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This museum is dedicated to the Maeda family who once ruled over the region around Kanazawa. The museum features samurai armor and other relics of the Maeda Clan. English audio guides are freely available.
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Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum
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5 minute walk north of Nomura-ke
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free
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The ashigaru, or footsoldiers, were the lowest ranked soldiers of the samurai class. This small museum consists of two reconstructed homes, which illustrate the relatively austere lifestyle of the ashigaru.
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Kaga Hanshi
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2 minutes walk north of Nomura-ke
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free
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This preserved building was previously a stable that housed horses. Today it contains a nice strolling garden in the middle of the Nagamachi district.
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Kaga Yuzenkan
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5 minute walk northwest of Nomura-ke
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed 12:00 to 13:00)
Closed: New Year holidays
Admission: 350yen
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Kaga Yuzenkan stands on the site of a former samurai house and is now a silk painting workshop open to the public. Visitors can observe the artists as they mix colors and paint beautiful designs on silk.
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