Kanazawa Castle Vol. 5: Honmaru — 1590s Nozura-zumi Stone Walls, Turret Sites & Tsurumaru Storehouse in 360°

Set on the castle’s northwestern corner — the “Inui” direction in the traditional zodiac compass — the Inui Turret Remains mark where a corner watchtower once stood atop the Honmaru stonewalls. Overlooking the Asano River side, this turret guarded approaches from the northwest. Repeated fires destroyed the structure, and after the great blaze of 1759 it was never rebuilt. Today, the surviving stone base has been adapted as a viewing terrace.

• Early nozura-zumi stonewalls: Late 16th-century fieldstone masonry with a powerful, uncut aesthetic
• Lookout views: Wide panoramas toward Utatsu-yama, the Asano River, and central Kanazawa
• Read the whole fortress: Sightlines across Honmaru, Ninomaru, and toward Tsurumaru Storehouse
• Seasonal scenery: Cherry blossoms, fiery autumn foliage, striking winter contrast

Panorama Photo

Quick look: ~5 min ／ In-depth: ~15 min

🗺 Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa (inside Kanazawa Castle Park)
🚶 Access: About 2 minutes (≈150 m) from Sanjikken Nagaya.

Next: Honmaru Enchi → 2 min walk

Spread across the highest ground of the castle, Honmaru Enchi was the nucleus of Kanazawa after Maeda Toshiie established his seat here in 1583. The Honmaru Palace once stood at the center of power. Though the buildings are gone, the lawned terrace preserves the footprint and the ring of stonewalls affords commanding views over the old castle town and toward Utatsu-yama.

• The castle’s heart: Site of the Honmaru Palace where Toshiie centered his rule
• Stonework timeline: Multiple eras of masonry show the evolution of Kaga construction
• Big-picture views: Read the city’s terrain with Utatsu-yama, Asano River, and old town below
• Spring blossoms: Cherry trees around the rim make this a favorite hanami spot

Panorama Photo

Quick look: ~10 min ／ In-depth: ~30 min

🗺 Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa (inside Kanazawa Castle Park)
🚶 Access: About 2 minutes (≈130 m) from the Inui Turret Remains.

Next: Tatsumi Turret Remains → 2 min walk

These remains occupy the high stone platforms linking Honmaru to Higashi-no-maru on the “Tatsumi” (southeast) corner. Together with the Middle Turret and Ushitora Turret, the triple-turret line once towered over the Hyakken-bori moat, forming the eastern bastion facing Kenrokuen. The four-tiered arrangement of the stone base is especially striking — architecture as fortification sculpture.

• Sculptural tiers: Four stepped courses read like a stone pyramid — both beautiful and defensive
• Vantage point: Broad views toward Kenrokuen and downtown; seasonal colors shine
• Reading the line: Consider the placement against Ushitora and the Middle Turret to grasp the eastern defense
• Height & impact: From street level, stonefaces rise over 30 m in places

Panorama Photo

Quick look: ~5 min ／ In-depth: ~15 min

🗺 Address: Near the east side of Kanazawa Castle
🚶 Access: Roughly 2 minutes on foot from Honmaru Enchi.

Next: Ushitora Turret Remains → 2 min walk

On the Higashi-no-maru and the northeast corner of Honmaru (“Ushitora” on the zodiac), this site marks another corner watchtower. The stone base is believed to date to 1592, making it among the castle’s oldest. The masonry is classic nozura-zumi fieldstone work. The turret burned in the 1759 blaze and was never rebuilt.

• Earliest masonry: Nozura-zumi stonework attributed to the Bunroku era — deep time in plain view
• Broad outlook: Kenrokuen, the city, and the surrounding ranges
• Read the perimeter: From here, relate Honmaru and Higashi-no-maru edges and other turret sites

Panorama Photo

Quick look: ~5 min ／ In-depth: ~15 min

🗺 Address: East side of Kanazawa Castle (Higashi-no-maru)
🚶 Access: About 2 minutes (≈170 m) from the Tatsumi Turret Remains.

Next: Tsurumaru Storehouse → 2 min walk

The Tsurumaru Storehouse is a representative surviving dozo (earthen-walled) warehouse in the castle precincts, originally built to hold arms. The present building dates to 1848 (Kaei 1). Beyond storage, its design reflects fire prevention and preservation priorities — making it valuable to both castle and architectural history.

• Stone-clad base & refined exterior: Dressed-stone plinth and plastered walls give a distinctive presence
• Grand internal volume: One-room plans on both floors preserve the feel of a large arms depot
• Timber & roof craft: Gable roof with tilework complements surrounding castle architecture
• Occasional interior access: Select dates between April–November offer special openings

Panorama Photo

Quick look: ~5 min ／ In-depth: ~15 min

🗺 Address: Around 71-18 Marunouchi, Kanazawa (Higashi-no-maru terrace)
🚶 Access: Roughly 2 minutes (≈170 m) from the Ushitora Turret Remains.

Next: Tsurunomaru Rest House → 1 min walk

Opened in 2017, the glass-fronted Tsurunomaru Rest House stands where you can gaze across to Hashizume-mon, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hishi Yagura. The warm, timber-accented interior frames the castle panorama like a living scroll. Inside you’ll find exhibits on restoration and excavations, plus “Mamezara Chaya” for wagashi and tea. A VR film, “Bringing Back the Ninomaru Palace,” lets you experience the lordly quarters in digital form.

• Picture-window panoramas: One of the best angles on Gojikken Nagaya, Hishi Yagura, and Hashizume-mon
• Mamezara Chaya: Sweets and bites served on Kutani ware and Yamanaka lacquer
• VR theater: CG reconstruction of the Ninomaru Palace
• Seasonal drama: Blossoms, summer skies, autumn reds, winter snow — framed in glass

Panorama Photo

Quick look: ~5 min ／ In-depth: ~30 min (cafe + VR)

🗺 Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa (inside Kanazawa Castle Park)
🚶 Access: About 1 minute (≈30 m) from Tsurumaru Storehouse.