Toshiie Maeda Heritage — Full Kanazawa Index

Kanazawa Historic Sites: Toshiie Maeda’s 25 Spots

A comprehensive index organizing the sites connected to Toshiie Maeda, founder of Kaga’s prosperity, into 4 areas and 25 spots across Kanazawa. Use it as your starting point for temple and shrine visits, walking tours, and photography.

See Area Guides FAQ

Areas4 areas

Spots25 locations

FocusSites tied to Toshiie & the Maeda family

HighlightsCastle, gardens, memorial temples, graves, chaya districts

On This Page

Toshiie Maeda was the founding lord of the Kaga Domain, which once governed the Kaga, Noto, and Ecchu provinces. Kanazawa’s urban landscape, culture, and religious life were all shaped by Toshiie and his family. This page is a comprehensive index organizing the sites connected to Toshiie (and the Maeda family) scattered around Kanazawa, grouped by area to match how they are actually visited on foot. Use it as a starting point for temple and shrine visits, walking tours, and photography.

Overview: Sites Connected to Toshiie Maeda

After entering Kanazawa Castle in 1583, Toshiie established guardian shrines throughout the castle town and laid out temples, shrines, and residences for his retainers. Much of Kanazawa’s later street layout, water management, and pilgrimage routes trace back to policies from this period. The connected sites span ① the castle and garden core, ② the memorial temples and graves of Utatsuyama and Kodatsuno, ③ the samurai residences and temples of Nagamachi and Teramachi, and ④ the guardian shrines and teahouse districts of Higashiyama and Kazuemachi.

Complete Guide: Exploring “Toshiie Heritage” Across 4 Areas

Here, Kanazawa’s Toshiie-related heritage is organized into 4 easy-to-walk areas. Each row tells you what the spot is, how long to allow, and how to get there. Click any row to jump directly to that spot’s full details — highlights, visiting time, access, and 360° panoramas.

Kenrokuen & Castle-Town Core (Where Castle, Domain Government, and Shrines Converge)

A concentration of shrines honoring the founding lord and symbolic Maeda family sites. Experience the founding of Kaga's million-koku domain along the axis running from Kanazawa Castle to Kenrokuen.

Oyama ShrineThe Maeda family shrine honoring Toshiie and Lady Matsu, famed for its three-tier gate blending Japanese, Chinese and Western design.Time 20–40 min · Access A few minutes’ walk from Nezumitamon Bridge, Kanazawa Castle

Ozaki ShrineOnce called “Kanazawa Tōshōgū,” a shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu whose vermilion buildings keep the Tōshōgū style.Time 15–40 min · Access 2 min walk (140 m) from Kuro-mon Gate, Kanazawa Castle

Kenrokuen GardenOne of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, shaped by the Maeda lords over some 200 years — a vast strolling pond garden.Time 20–60 min · Access 2 min walk (120 m) from Ishikawa-mon Gate, Kanazawa Castle

Seisonkaku VillaAn 1863 residence built by the 13th lord Maeda Nariyasu for his mother, right next to Kenrokuen.Time 20–40 min · Access Next to Kenrokuen (entrance inside the garden)

Kanazawa ShrineGuardian shrine of the domain school, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, god of learning, beside Kinjo Reitaku Spring.Time 10–20 min · Access 1 min walk (40 m) from Kenrokuen’s Zuishinzaka Entrance

Kanazawa Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History (Ishikawa Red Brick Museum)The prefectural history museum, housed in red-brick former army arsenals, covering Ishikawa from prehistory to modern times.Time 40 min–2 hr · Access 3 min walk (220 m) from Kanazawa Shrine

Kaga Honda MuseumArms, furnishings and documents of the Honda family, chief retainers of the Kaga Domain.Time 15–30 min · Access Connected by walkway to the Prefectural Museum of History

Read the full Kenrokuen & Castle-Town Core guide (Vol.1, 7 spots) →Next area: Nagamachi & Teramachi ↓

Nagamachi & Teramachi (A District of Samurai Culture and Prayer Temples)

A dignified district lined with samurai residences and prayer temples. Toshiie laid its foundations, and later lords cultivated the castle-town culture that still lives here.

Hochizan Kudokuin Dairenji TempleA Pure Land temple founded in 1604 by Kozuka Hidemasa, a senior retainer of Toshiie, steps from Nishi Chaya.Time 5–15 min · Access 1 min walk from the “Nishi Chaya District” bus stop

Nishi Chaya DistrictOne of Kanazawa’s three geisha districts — a quiet 100 m street of latticed teahouses.Time 10–40 min · Access 3 min walk (250 m) from Dairenji Temple

Shokyuzan Myoryuji Temple (the “Ninja Temple”)The “Ninja Temple”: a Kaga Domain temple built with trapdoors and hidden stairs.Time 30–40 min (interior by reservation only) · Access 4 min walk (240 m) from Nishi Chaya District

Senjuin TempleA Shingon prayer temple of the Maeda family, where Toshiie is said to have prayed for victory at Suemori.Time 15–30 min · Access 6 min walk (450 m) from Myoryuji

Gesshōji TempleMemorial temple of Shunkein (Princess Koh), eldest daughter of Toshiie and Matsu, known for its rows of stone Buddhas.Time 15–45 min · Access About 3 min walk from the “Numatamachi” bus stop

Nagamachi Samurai DistrictThe former quarter of upper- and middle-ranking samurai, with cobbled lanes, earthen walls and canals.Time 10–20 min · Access About 18 min by Hokutetsu bus from Kanazawa Station (toward Korinbo)

Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan (Maeda Tosanokami Family Museum)Heirlooms of the Maeda Tosanokami family, founded by Toshiie’s second son Toshimasa.Time 15–40 min · Access 5 min walk (350 m) from Nagamachi Samurai District

Kanazawa Nomura Family Samurai Residence

Nomura Family Samurai ResidenceFormer residence of the samurai Nomura family, with a garden given two stars by the Michelin Green Guide.Time 30 min–1.5 hr · Access 2 min walk (220 m) from Nagamachi Samurai District

Sendake GardenA strolling pond garden built in 1894, fed by the Onoshō canal.Time 20 min–1 hr · Access Directly opposite the Nomura House

Kanazawa City Ashigaru MuseumTwo relocated foot-soldier houses showing how the lowest-ranking samurai lived.Time 15–30 min · Access 3 min walk (250 m) from Sendake Garden

Read the full Nagamachi & Teramachi guide (Vol.2, 10 spots) →Next area: Utatsuyama, Kodatsuno & Takaramachi ↓

Utatsuyama, Kodatsuno & Takaramachi (A Hillside of Memory and Prayer)

Memorial temples and graves of the founding lord and his family are scattered across this quiet hillside — a chance to touch the spiritual history of Kanazawa.

Tentokuin Temple — the “Temple of Princess Tama”Memorial temple of Princess Tama, wife of the 3rd lord, with a 15-minute karakuri puppet play of her life.Time 30–60 min · Access 3 min walk from the “Tentokuin-mae” bus stop (about 20 min by bus from Kanazawa Station)

Kotokuzan Touunji TempleA Soto Zen temple named after Toshiie’s posthumous name, long charged with guarding his grave.Time 10–20 min · Access About 3 min walk from the “Noda” bus stop

Grave of Toshiie Maeda (Maeda Family Kaga Domain Lords’ Cemetery)The Maeda lords’ cemetery on Mt. Noda, a national historic site; Toshiie lies at the highest point among some 80 graves.Time 30–90 min · Access From the “Nodayama” bus stop, a 20–30 min walk uphill

Houenji TempleA Soto Zen temple founded by Toshiie, known as the “Temple of Toshiie and Matsu.”Time 20–45 min · Access 8 min walk from the “Kodatsuno” bus stop

Read the full Utatsuyama, Kodatsuno & Takaramachi guide (Vol.3, 4 spots) →Next area: Higashiyama & Kazuemachi ↓

Higashiyama & Kazuemachi (Memories of Guardian Shrines and Teahouse Streets)

A shrine that guards Kanazawa's “demon gate,” and the teahouse districts that later flourished nearby. Maeda family faith and castle-town entertainment culture meet here.

Kazuemachi Chaya DistrictA riverside geisha quarter on the Asano River, formed in the early Meiji era and lovely after dark.Time 15–40 min · Access About 5 min walk from the “Hashiba-cho” bus stop (about 15 min by bus from Kanazawa Station)

Higashi Chaya District (Higashiyama Higashi Preservation District)Founded in 1820 and now a national preservation district — Kanazawa’s best-known street of latticed teahouses.Time 30 min–1 hr+ · Access 3 min walk (about 200 m) from Kazuemachi

Utasu ShrineGuardian shrine of the castle’s northeast “demon gate,” said to date from 718.Time 10–30 min · Access 3 min walk (180 m) from Higashi Chaya District

Toyokuni ShrineA shrine to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Toshiie’s close ally, on the slopes of Mt. Utatsu.Time 10–15 min · Access About 10 min walk from the “Suehiro-zaka” or “Utatsuyama Koenguchi” bus stop

Read the full Higashiyama & Kazuemachi guide (Vol.4, 4 spots) →

A Local’s Call: Across 4 Areas and 25 Spots, Where to Go If You’re Short on Time

Based on multiple personal visits — this is the author’s own priority order, not an official recommendation from the city of Kanazawa or its tourism association.

Do first

Kenrokuen Garden & Oyama Shrine

One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, paired with the shrine honoring Toshiie himself. The core of the castle-town center and the essential first stop for a first-time visit to Kanazawa.

Do first

Shokyuzan Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple)

A nationally famous fortified temple full of tricks. Interior visits require an advance reservation, so book early once your visit date is set.

If you have time

Higashi Chaya District

The largest and most prestigious of Kanazawa’s three historic chaya districts. Several teahouses are open for touring, making this the anchor of any teahouse-district visit.

If you have time

Grave of Toshiie Maeda

A National Historic Site where the founding lord himself is buried. Reaching it requires a walk up a hillside path, but it is the essential spot for experiencing the history of the Kaga ruling family firsthand.

Can skip

Touunji Temple & Toyokuni Shrine

Both have genuinely interesting highlights, but sit off the main tourist path. Worth a visit if time allows.

Continue to the Kanazawa Castle Guide

Kanazawa Castle Park: Complete 6-Area Visitor Guide (Personally Visited)

Free entry to nationally designated Kanazawa Castle Park. Hours, access from Kanazawa Station, and a personally walked 6-area route with 360° panoramas.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page organizes Kanazawa into 4 areas — Kenrokuen & Castle-Town Core, Nagamachi & Teramachi, Utatsuyama/Kodatsuno & Takaramachi, and Higashiyama & Kazuemachi — covering 25 spots in total. See the Vol.1–Vol.4 pages for full details on each area.

Seeing all 25 spots in one day is difficult; we recommend spreading your visit across 2–3 days. If your time is limited, check the “A Local’s Call” section above for the highest-priority spots.

Kanazawa Castle was the residence Toshiie Maeda built, and it forms the core of the sites connected to the Maeda family. It's covered in detail on our separate “Kanazawa Castle: Complete Visitor Guide” page.

The Kenrokuen & Castle-Town Core, Nagamachi & Teramachi, and Higashiyama & Kazuemachi areas are each walkable internally, but local buses are convenient for traveling between areas and from Kanazawa Station. See the Access Standard Info on each Vol. page for details.

Yes. Interior visits to Myoryuji require an advance reservation with a guided tour. We recommend booking as soon as your visit date is set. See the Myoryuji section on the Vol.2 page for details.

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