Name: Nagamachi Samurai District
Address: Kanazawa, JP

Take the bus 30, 31, 39, 40, 41, 90, 95 from Kanazawa Station to Korinbo (香林坊) bus stop. 

The Nagamachi district was formerly home to [samurai](/term/general/samurai) and their families during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). A stark contrast to the wide open alleys and lined-wooden buildings of the Higashi Chaya District, the Nagamachi district consists of narrow alleys lined with earthen walls, and private gates to residences. There is also a beautiful water canal that flows alongside the road just outside the entrance to many of the samurai residences. 

Today, there are a few restored samurai residences allowing visitors to enter and see relics and artifacts to better understand the life of the samurai. While we often think of samurai as majestic warriors during the Edo Period, their role was a lot more complicated than that. Within these residences you can often also find samurai armor and [katana](/term/general/katana) on display as well. 

Traditional streets of Nagamachi in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Nagamachi.webp

Traditional streets of Higashi Chaya District at night in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Higashi Chaya District.webp

Swimming pool exhibit at 21st Century Museum in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

21st Century Museum.webp

Bus 32 or Bus 80 travels between Korinbo (香林坊) Bus Stop (5 minutes from Nagamachi) and the Hirokoji (広小路) Bus Stop (Outside Ninjadera).

Exterior of Ninjadera in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Ninjadera.webp

Nagamachi is a short 8 minute walk from the  Shin-mon Gate (神門) of Oyama Shrine.

Gate of Oyama Shrine in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Oyama Shrine.webp

The Nomura-ke is the former residence of the Nomura family, serving the [Maeda Clan](/term/group/maeda-clan) rulers of the [Kaga Domain](/term/place/kaga-domain) since 1583 for 11 generations. The family served as the head of the horse-mounted guard (牡馬周り組頭, *ouma mawari-gumi gashira*), as well as various other administrative roles in the domain. Within the residence is also a beautiful Japanese-style open veranda garden with a meandering stream, that is a great place to sit and admire nature’s tranquility.

Samurai Armor in Nomura-ke in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Nomura-ke.webp

The Shinise Memorial Hall is in the building that formerly housed Nakaya Pharmacy, a traditional medicine store that operated since the Edo Period. The building’s exterior has been preserved and restored to reflect what it looked like as an Edo Period pharmacy that was first established in 1579. Established by the Nakaya family, the family served as physicians to the court and the Maeda Clan of the area. Today, the museum houses artifacts and exhibits detailing the life of the merchant class during the Edo-era, as a contrast to the other museums in the area dedicated to the samurai class.

Discover Kenrokuen, Higashi Chaya District, and the 21st Century Museum

The Kanazawa of Times Gone By

Experiencing the Best Culture and Gourmet Kanazawa has to Offer

Ultimate Two Day Kanazawa Itinerary

Discover Omicho Market, Ninjadera, Nagamachi, Oyama Shrine, and Kanazawa Castle Park

The Heart of Kanazawa

Beautiful alleys with earthen walls

Preserved samurai residences

Osaka

Osaka Prefecture

Kobe

Himeji

Kinosaki Onsen

Hyogo Prefecture

Kyoto

Kyoto Prefecture

Shirahama

Wakayama Prefecture

Kansai

Shodoshima

Takamatsu

Kagawa Prefecture

Shikoku

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Okayama Prefecture

Chugoku

Enoshima

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Yokohama

Miura

Kanagawa Prefecture

Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolis

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Saitama Prefecture

Kanto

Kanazawa

Ishikawa Prefecture

Takayama

Shirakawa-go

Gifu Prefecture

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Toyama Prefecture

Chubu

The Meiji Restoration in 1868 brought an end to the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) and ushered in the [Meiji Era](/term/era/meiji). It arose from the collapse of the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) at the end of the [bakumatsu](/term/era/bakumatsu), and the return of power back to the Imperial Family.

The Edo Period lasted from 1603 to 1867 when the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) ruled Japan from the city of [Edo](/term/general/edo), modern day Tokyo. The [shogun](/term/general/shogun) was the de-facto leader of Japan, and the [daimyō](/term/general/daimyo) under him would rule over the various regions. 

The Sengoku Period was a period of near-constant civil war that began after the collapse of the [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate) in 1467 due to a civil war, the [Ōnin War](/term/general/onin-war), over succession. The collapse led to a power vacuum with various regional [daimyos](/term/general/daimyo) vying for control of Japan.

In 1573, [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga) launched a unification war that he led till his death in 1582. His success, [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi) continued the campaign, completing the unification in 1591 before his death in 1598. His son, [Toyotomi Hideyori](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyori) was then defeated by [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu) during the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/general/battle-of-sekigahara) in 1600. Tokugawa Ieyasu went on to establish the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) in 1603, bringing an end to the Sengoku Period and starting the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo).

The Meiji Era marked the start of Japan's rapid modernization, moving away from a feudal society and adopting industrialization and other Western influences. The Emperor who reigned at the time was posthumously known as Emperor Meiji.

The period at the end of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) that led to the fall of the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate), and culminated in the [Meiji Restoration](/term/general/meiji-restoration).

During this period, a fleet of American ships led by Matthew Perry forced the bakufu to lift its [Sakoku](/term/general/sakoku) policy, resulting in unrest across Japan over the next few years. This culminated in a rebellion against the bakufu called the Boshin War and eventually the Meiji Restoration in 1868. 

The Muromachi Period is marked by the governance of Japan under the [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate). 

The period overlaps with that of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) that begins with the [Ōnin War](/term/general/onin-war) from 1467 to 1477 over succession of the Ashikaga Shogunate. While the Sengoku Period was ongoing, the Ashikaga Shogunate continued until its dissolution in 1573 by [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga).

Japan’s Feudal Era consisted of the [Kamakura Period](/term/era/kamakura), [Muromachi Period](/term/era/muromachi), the [Azuchi–Momoyama Period](/term/era/azuchi-momoyama), and the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). The Feudal Era was marked mainly by Japan’s de-facto rule under a [shogun](/term/general/shogun), despite the presence of an [Emperor](/term/general/emperor) who mainly served as a figurehead. While the official capital always remained in [Heian-kyo](/term/place/heian-kyo_), modern day [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto), the shoguns of the Kamakura Period ruled from [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura), and the shoguns of the Edo Period ruled from [Edo](/term/place/edo).

This era is often the one depicted in pop culture representations of Japanese history, particularly the  [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku)  (the period of civil war between the Muromachi Period and Edo Period), with [shoguns](/term/general/shogun), [daimyos](/term/general/daimyo), [samurai](/term/general/samurai), and [ninjas](/term/general/ninja) being the most active in this era of Japanese history. 

The Kamakura Period was the start of Japan's [Feudal Era](/term/era/feudal) and was marked by the rule of the first [shogunate](/term/general/shogunate), the [Kamakura Shogunate](/term/general/kamakura-shogunate). 

The shogunate was founded by [Minamoto no Yoritomo](/term/person/minamoto-no-yoritomo), the first [shogun](/term/general/shogun), who governed Japan from the city of [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura), while the [Imperial Court](/term/general/imperial-court) in the official capital of [Heian-kyō](/term/place/heian-kyo) were figureheads.

The shogunate was overthrown in the [Kenmu Restoration](/term/event/kenmu-restoration) by [Emperor Go-Daigo](/term/person/emperor-go-daigo) in 1333, that restored Imperial rule for 3 years before it was overthrown by the [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate) in 1336. Ending the Kamakura Period, and starting the [Muromachi Period](/term/era/muromachi).

The Azuchi-Momoyama Period is the tail-end of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) after the dissolution of the [Muromachi Period's](/term /era/muromachi) [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate) and before the establishment of the [Edo Period's](/term/era/edo) [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate). It was the climax of the Sengoku Period, a period of civil war strife, with [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga) starting the unification war to unite Japan in 1573, and [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi) completing it in 1591 after Oda Nobunaga's death and 1582.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death in 1598, his son [Toyotomi Hideyori](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyori), who was five years old at the time, was too young to take up leadership. The regents then split into two groups, the Western army of Toyotomi loyalists led by [Ishida Mitsunari](/term/person/ishida-mitsunari) and the Eastern army that opposed them, led by [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu). The two sides battled in the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/event/battle-of-sekigahara) in 1600, ending in a Tokugawa victory making him the de-facto ruler of Japan. The official establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603 ended the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, and started the Edo Period.

The period was named after Oda Nobunaga's and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's castles, the Azuchi Castle in Shiga Prefecture and the Momoyama Castle in Kyoto respectively. Neither of the original castles stand today.

The Heian Period which began when the capital was moved from [Nara](/link/place/kansai/nara-prefecture/nara) to [Heian-kyo](/term/place/heian-kyo), modern-day [Kyoto](/link/place/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto). It is considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court (before the control of Japan by various [shogunates](/term/general/shogunate) in subsequent eras), as well as a time where art, poetry and literature flourished. 

The Heian Period was succeeded by the [Kamakura Period](/term/era/kamakura) that saw Japan ruled by its first [shogun](/term/general/shogun) from [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura) in 1185.

A ninja, also called *shinobi* (忍び), was a covert agent that conducted a variety of activities including espionage, and used the martial art of ninjutsu. Their covert methods of operation was deemed as below the honor of [samurai](/term/general/samurai). They were most active during the civil wars of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and faded into obscurity during the unified Japan of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo).

Torii are gates typically found at [shrines](/term/general/shrine) and are said to mark the gateway between the everyday world and the sacred world.

The samurai were warriors that were most prominent in the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo), serving the regional [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) as protectors of their land. They were considered to be military nobility, and the title was hereditary.  

The katana is a [nihon-tō](/term/general/nihon-to) that curves upwards, with a single-edge on the upward side. Only samurai were allowed to carry two swords, known as [daisho](/term/general/daisho), with the katana slung on the right side and a shorter sword, the [wakizashi](/term/general/wakizashi) on the left.

Shrines are places of worship for the [Shinto](/term/general/shinto) religion, and usually enshrine one or more deities. They are different from [temples](/term/general/temple) which are places of worship for the [Buddhist](/term/general/buddhism) religion.

The Tokugawa Shogunate (also called the Edo Shogunate) was the military government of Japan during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo), and was led by the [shogun](/term/general/shogun) from the [Tokugawa Clan](/term/general/tokugawa-clan).

Shoguns were the military leaders of Japan, nominally appointed by the Emperor. The position is typically hereditary, and the government of the Shogun is called the [Shogunate](/term/general/shogunate). 

There have been multiple Shogunates over the course of history, with the final Shogunate being the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) that ended in 1867 with the return of power to the Emperor in the [Meiji Restoration](/term/general/meiji-restoration).

Edo is the former name for Tokyo, used up to 1868 when it was renamed to *Tōkyō* (東京, lit. Eastern Capital) by the government. It became the de-facto capital from 1603 during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) as the seat of the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate).

The indigenous religion of Japan, the central belief is that [kami](/term/general/kami), supernatural beings, inhabit all things including nature. 

Temples are places of worship for followers of [Buddhism](/term/general/buddhism).

Buddhism is a religion that focuses on the teachings of the [Buddha](/term/general/buddha). The central tenet revolves around people letting go of their worldly desires.

The general term for Japanese swords, these can include the [katana](/term/general/katana) and the [wakizashi](/term/general/wakizashi) that were carried by the [samurai](/term/general/samurai).

Daishō is the term for a pair of matched [nihon-tō](/term/general/nihon-to), with one long sword (大刀, dai-tō) and one short sword (小刀, shō-tō). During the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo), only the [samurai](/term/general/samurai) were permitted to carry daishō with a [katana](/term/general/katana) and a [wakizashi](/term/general/wakizashi).

The wakizashi is a short [nihon-tō](/term/general/nihon-to) that was typically worn inside the [obi](/term/general/obi). Samurai would wear their wakizashi on the left side, and their [katana](/term/general/katana) on their right side. Only samurai were permitted to wear two swords at once, and this was called the [daisho](/term/general/daisho).

The daimyō were generally regional lords that controlled military, police, and economic power in the area that they ruled. Most commonly, the term daimyō is used to refer to the regional lords during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) that would report to the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate). They were abolished in 1868 during the [Meiji Restoration](/term/event/meiji-restoration) that saw the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and Japan’s feudal system.

The domains were the predecessor to the modern [prefecture](/term/general/prefecture) system used in Japan today. They were primarily used during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) and each domain would be ruled by a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo). 

There were around 260 domains at one time, with around 540 domains existing in total during the course of the entire Edo Period. During the [Meiji Era](/term/era/meiji), the daimyo system was dissolved and the domains were reorganized into prefectures.

The Tokugawa Clan is a dynasty that ruled Japan as the [shoguns](/term/general/shogun) through the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). 

The Shogunate, also called the Bakufu, is used to refer to a government led by the [shogun](/term/general/shogun).

The kami are deities from the [Shinto](/term/general/shinto) religion and are said to inhabit all things, and are also said to have created all nature and human life.

The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was an Indian prince from South Asia who later gave up his title and founded the religion of [Buddhism](/term/general/buddhism) in the 6th or 5th century BCE. 

An obi is a broad sash with a variety of designs on it that complement the design of the [kimono](/term/general/kimono) that it is worn with.

There are currently 47 prefectures in Japan: 1 metropolis (都, *tō*, lit. capital), 2 urban prefectures (府, *fu*), 1 territory (道, *dō*), and 43 prefectures (県, *ken*). The prefectures serve as the level of government below the national government.

The current set of 47 prefectures was established in 1888, whittled down from the over 300 prefectures when the prefectures were established in 1871 at the start of the [Meiji Era](/term/era/meiji). Before the prefecture system, Japan was divided into [domains](/term/general/domain), each ruled by a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo), during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo).

The Ashikaga Shogunate was the ruling  [shogunate](/term/general/shogunate) during the [Muromachi Period](/term/era/muromachi) based out of Kyoto. The [shoguns](/term/general/shogun) were of the [Ashikaga Clan](/term/group/ashikaga-clan).

They were the second shogunate in Japan’s history after overthrowing the [Kamakura Shogunate](/term/general/kamakura-shogunate), and was dissolved after the weakening of the shogunate during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) before being succeeded by the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate).

A traditional Japanese garment with a rectangular body and square sleeves, it is the national dress of Japan. It typically comes with an [obi](/term/general/obi), [zori](/term/general/zori), [tabi](/term/general/tabi), and can be complemented by a [kinchaku](/term/general/kinchaku)

The Three Great Unifiers of Japan are the three people credited with bringing an end to the civil wars of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku), unifying Japan and ushering in the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). The three are [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga), [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi), and [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu).

Seppuku was an act of ritual suicide by [samurai](/term/general/samurai) who would rather die voluntarily with honor, than be captured by the enemy. It could also be used as a form of capital punishment. Seppuku involves the act of harakiri, then beheaded by an assistant as an act of mercy.

Tabi are traditionally pure white socks designed to be worn with a [zori](/term/general/zori), and usually used when wearing [kimonos](/term/general/kimono).

Sakoku refers to the policy of national isolation from 1633 to 1853 during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) (also called the Sakoku Period) by the Tokugawa Shogunate that cut off almost all diplomatic and trade relations with other countries. 

No foreigners were allowed to enter, and no Japanese were allowed to leave. Certain exceptions were allowed, such as the trade with the Dutch and Chinese in Nagasaki. 

A traditional Japanese drawstring bag used like a handbag for carrying around personal items. It is commonly used together with a [kimono](/term/general/kimono).  

Zori are traditional Japanese slippers that can be made of straw or wood, and are similar in form to modern slippers. 

[Waraji](/term/general/waraji) are similar to zori, except that they had straps that needed to be tied together, similar in form to modern strap sandals.

Waraji were straw sandals that were tied onto the feet, similar to the modern strap sandals. They were the standard footwear for the commoners during Japan's [Feudal Era](/term/era/feudal). 

[Zori](/term/general/zori) were similar to waraji, but did not need to be tied onto the feet, just slid straight on like modern flip-flops.

The Emperor was formerly the ruler of Japan, but today serves more of a ceremonial symbolic role instead.

Oda Nobunaga was a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and is regarded as the first of the [Three Great Unifiers of Japan](/term/general/three-great-unifiers). In 1573, he launched a unifying war against the other daimyo, conquering most of [Honshu](/term/place/honshu) by 1580. In 1582, he was betrayed by his retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide (明智 光秀), and was forced to commit [seppuku](/term/general/seppuku) to avoid capture after being surrounded. [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi) succeeded him and completed his unification war in 1591.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and is regarded as the second of the [Three Great Unifiers of Japan](/term/general/three-great-unifiers). He succeeded [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga) in 1582 after the latter's death, and completed the latter's war to unify Japan in 1591. This made him the de-facto leader of Japan. He then launched an unsuccessful war against Korea in 1592, which ended after his death in 1598. It is said that he was delirious at his death, and the unsuccessful wars had weakened his clan, leading to [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person-tokugawa-ieyasu) displacing his son and becoming the first [shogun](/term/place/shogun) of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) in 1603.

The son and successor to [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi), after his father's death in 1598, he became the designated ruler of Japan at age 5. The loss of the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/event/battle-of-sekigahara) in 1600 by the Toyotomi loyalists faction meant that the position of de-facto ruler of Japan fell to the winner, [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu), who went on to found the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) in 1603.

Most of Toyotomi Hideyori's land and holdings were confiscated after the loss, and he was demoted to becoming an ordinary [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo). 

By 1614, Toyotomi Hideyori grew up to be a young daimyo living in [Osaka Castle](/link/place/kansai/osaka-prefecture/osaka/osaka-castle) and was the rightful heir to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Those who opposed Tokugawa Ieyasu began to rally around Toyotomi Hideyori. This led to a conflict between the two that resulted in a siege of Osaka Castle in November 1614 by Tokugawa's forces. The attack was unsuccessful, but resulted in a truce signed in January 1615 that required Toyotomi Hideyori to dismantle the castle's defenses. 

In May 1615, skirmishes started breaking out again between the two factions near Osaka leading to a second siege of the castle in June 1615.  A siege that was successful this time, and ended with Toyotomi Hideyori committing [seppuku](/term/general/seppuku) with his mother.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was the first [shogun](/term/general/shogun) of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo),  and founded the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) in 1603. During the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) , he was a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) and is regarded as the third of the [Three Great Unifiers of Japan](/term/general/three-great-unifiers). After [Toyotomi Hideyoshi's](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi)  death in 1598, Tokugawa took power in 1600 after the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/event/battle-of-sekigahara) that saw him defeat forces loyal to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori (豊臣 秀頼).

A [samurai](/term/general/samurai) clan that were the [daimyos](/term/general/daimyo) of the [Kaga Domain](/term/place/kaga-domain) during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo).

The Kaga Domain was a [domain](/term/general/domain) that occupied today's [Ishikawa Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/ishikawa) and [Toyama Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/toyama-prefecture). It was based out of [Kanazawa Castle](/link/place/chubu/ishikawa/kanazawa/kanazawa-castle), and the [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) ruling the domain was from the  [Maeda Clan](/term/clan/maeda).

Honshu is the largest of Japan's main islands and stretches from Aomori Prefecture in the north, all the way to Yamaguchi Prefecture in the south.

The former name for [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto) when it was the capital, used from 794 during the [Heian Period](/term/era/heian) to 1869 during the start of the [Meiji Period](/term/era/meiji)  when the capital was shifted to [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo).

Nagamachi Samurai District

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