The castle was first founded by Sakuma Morimasa, a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, in 1580. He started to build one of the moats and to build up the castle town. After the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583 it was taken over by Maeda Toshiie who built up the castle in earnest.
The castle originally had a large 6 level main keep, but it burned down in 1602 and was never rebuilt. Kanazawa Castle had several fires that destroyed parts of the castle over the years. The Maeda clan ruled over the Kaga region from Kanazawa for 14 generations until the coming of the Meiji Restoration.
For those who love Japanese gardens you should check out Kenrokuen, Kenrokuen (兼六園) is justifiably classified as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. Many people consider it the best of them all.
Visiting the castle or garden will cost you ¥300 (Under 18 only ¥100)
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