The Nomura Samurai Residence is a historic samurai home in the Nagamachi Samurai District of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Once the residence of the Nomura family, who served the powerful Maeda clan for generations, the house offers visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle, culture, and refined tastes of samurai families during Japan’s feudal era.
Nagamachi retains much of its traditional atmosphere, with narrow lanes, stone-paved paths, canals, and earthen walls topped with roof tiles. A visit to the Nomura Residence is an excellent way to experience this historic neighborhood and imagine what life was like for the samurai who once lived here.
Inside the residence, visitors can admire traditional Japanese architecture and carefully preserved decorative details. The interiors feature an elegant coffered ceiling made from Japanese cypress, beautifully painted sliding-door panels known as fusuma-e, and finely crafted wooden transoms.
Historical artifacts associated with the Nomura family, including samurai swords and armor, provide a closer look at the family’s heritage and its role in the service of the Maeda rulers of the Kaga Domain.
One of the residence’s greatest attractions is its exquisite inner garden. Despite its relatively compact size, the garden creates a rich landscape of carefully arranged stones, a winding stream, a small waterfall, and a tranquil pond. A Japanese bayberry tree believed to be more than 400 years old adds a sense of history to the setting.
The garden was designed to be appreciated from inside the house, with different rooms and viewing points revealing changing perspectives of the scenery. Its harmonious combination of water, rocks, trees, and architectural details reflects the refined aesthetic sensibilities associated with traditional Japanese gardens.
The garden has received international recognition, including a high ranking in the Journal of Japanese Gardening and a two-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide. Its peaceful atmosphere makes it a memorable place to pause during a walk through Kanazawa.
For an especially relaxing experience, visit the tea room on the second floor, where you can enjoy views of the garden from above. Matcha green tea and traditional Japanese sweets may be available, offering a chance to appreciate the scenery in the spirit of Japanese tea culture.
The Nomura Samurai Residence is an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding Nagamachi Samurai District. As you walk through its quiet streets, look for traditional earthen walls, old drainage channels, and other details that preserve the character of Kanazawa’s former samurai quarter.
The residence is approximately a five-minute walk from the Korinbo bus stop. It is generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from April through September and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October through March. Admission is charged, and the residence closes on December 26–27 and January 1–2.
April - September: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
October - March: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
January 1 and 2, December 26 and 27
Adults 550 yen
High school student 400 yen
Elementary and junior high school students 250 yen
From JR Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Castle Town Shuttle Bus, Hokuriku Railways Route Bus, or Nishinippon JR Bus. 5 minute walk from Korinbo Bus Stop.
5 minute walk from Korinbo Yamato/Atrio and Korinbo Tokyu Square/Nichigin-mae bus stops on the Machi Bus.
From JR Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Flat Bus Nagamachi Route and get off at Nagamachi Buke Yashiki Ato bus stop. 1 minute walk from the bus stop.