Nagamachi district, Kanazawa, a.k.a the Samurai district of Japan, is where history breathes through the earthen walls and narrow lanes. Just at the foot of Kanazawa Castle, this district takes you back to the bygone era – the Edo Period, the old Kanazawa. And that’s not it.
Aside from the well-preserved samurai residences and traditional architecture, the Nagamachi district in Kanazawa is home to beautiful Japanese gardens and canals.
For me, it is “the” place to experience Japan as a solo female traveller. Safe to walk around both in day and night. Plus, if you are on a day trip to Nagamachi, once you reach the Kanazawa Station, there are coin luggage lockers too to keep your belongings.
Just wear comfortable shoes, carry an umbrella or a raincoat (the unpredictable Nagamachi weather is REAL) and of course your essentials like IDs, passport, cards, and cash to spend a slow and mindful day in the district.
How to Reach the Nagamachi Neighbourhood, Kanazawa
To reach the Nagamachi neighbourhood, first, you have to reach Kanazawa – the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan’s Honshu Island.
And no matter which part of Japan you visit, I feel trains are the best for inter-country exploration. Convenient and cost-effective. So, if you are travelling from Tokyo, board the Shinkansen to reach Kanazawa in less than 3 hours.
Or, if you are travelling from Kyoto and Osaka side, board the Thunderbird train to Tsuruga and board the Shinkansen.
Now that you are at the Kanazawa Station, take a little stroll to explore the Tsuzumi-mon Gate before hopping on a Kanazawa Loop Bus. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the “Korinbo” bus stop. One way fare is 210 yen.
From here, it’s approximately a 5-minute walk to the infamous Nagamachi district, Kanazawa.
Top Things To Do in Nagamachi Samurai District, Kanazawa
Visit the Nomura-ke Samurai House
One of the highlights of your solo trip to Nagamachi District, Kanazawa is Nomura-ke. It is a beautifully restored samurai residence.
Right from the gate, known as Nagayamon or Oyashikimon – indicates social status engraved with the history of the Nomura family to the interior – everything is steeped with history.
That said, the elegant interiors and garden are stunning but the star of the show is hands down the family heirlooms. The swords, armor, samurai words, coins, letters, and what not!
Arrive early in the morning to walk around the archives and soak in the solitude without the crowd. Besides, do not miss to enter the tea room and sip on some green tea upstairs. It happens in session and takes 15 minutes + the wait time, but it’s worth it.
Explore the Shinise Kinenkan Museum
Quite in contrast with the Nomura-ke Samurai House, the Shinise Kinenkan Museum is a restored pharmacy. It tells the tale of an era post the fall of samurais – the rise of the merchant class.
The museum exhibits historic items of the pharmacy, 19th-century painted screens as well as tea sets, and other old Kanazawa businesses.
You’ll have to take your shoes off and walk in your socks to see the museum. Be ready to climb some steep stairs! And the best part, unlike other museums in the district, the displays here have English translations.
Overall, you can easily spend 30 to 40 minutes here. That too, just at 100 yen. A whole lot of history to see. But I would recommend going for the combined day pass, a.k.a the Samurai Pass at 300 yen to get around the places easily in this area. It’s worth it.
My tip: Visit the Seisonkaku Villa near the garden – it is a less crowded house compared to Nomura-ke.
Take a Short Visit to the Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum
To get an overall understanding of the lives of Samurai of all ranks, here’s another museum to add to your day trip to Nagamachi, Kanazawa. It is a small museum with two well-preserved old houses.
A perfect place to see how samurais in the lower ranks – Ashigaru or foot soldiers lived. It takes about 15 minutes and doesn’t cost a yen. So, if you’re already in the area, there’s no reason to not stop by.
Collect Hand-Crafted Souvenirs from Local Shop
Your trip to Nagamachi district, Kanazawa is incomplete without shopping at the Kanazawa Hyakubangai near the district. It is the best place to take a piece of this place home.
Collect a mixed bag of traditional and modern crafts like Yuzen silk, Kutani ceramics, and Kanazawa gold leaf products.
While you are shopping, do not miss out on the traditional food of Kanazawa. Seafood, sake, and my favourite – gold leaf topped ice cream.
By the way, if you have time in hand, attend a workshop. As a solo traveller, workshops are my top picks to experience the culture of a place. And at Nagamachi district, you have plenty of options – silk dyeing, gold leaf application, etc. – pick one and enjoy!
Take a Stroll Along the Onosho Canal
Once done with the major spots of Nagamachi, take a peaceful stroll along the canal. Believed to be the oldest canal in Kanazawa, the Onosho Canal runs right through the middle of Nagamachi.
The small bridges built over the canal add a scenic element to the district. Do you know the best time to take a stroll here? Yes, you guessed it right! Sunset. A perfect time for the golden glow pictures.
Visit Nagamachi Yuzen Kan (Check Before Going – Temporarily Closed)
When in Nagamachi district of Kanazawa, it is an absolute must to experience and appreciate the craftsmanship of Nagamachi Yuzen Kan. Sadly, it is temporarily closed.
But whenever you visit Nagamachi, do check this place out and if it’s open, it’s a must-visit in the district. It’s not often you get an up-close look at the Kaga Yuzen technique to make the vibrant Kimonos.
My Brief One-Day Itinerary for Nagamachi District, Kanazawa with Time-Stamps
For your first time in Nagamachi, Kanazawa you can follow my one-day itinerary and customise it as per your schedule.
- 9:30 AM – Visit the Nomura-ke Samurai House
- 11:00 AM – Stop by Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum
- 11:30 AM – Explore the Shinise Kinenkan Museum
- 1:00 PM – Grab a traditional Kaga cuisine lunch
- 2:30 PM – Go for shopping
- 4:00 PM – Take a sunset walk along the Onosho Canal
- 4:30 PM – If open, visit Nagamachi Yuzen Kan or attend a workshop
- 5:30 PM – Return to Korinbo and hop on a bus to Kanazawa Station.
My recommendation – Instead of returning, extend your trip by a night and explore the Kanazawa Castle Park, Oyama Shrine, and other Kanazawa attractions.
These places are the best addition to your solo trip to Japan and are perfect for all seasons. Especially, cherry blossom season, i.e. spring and autumn.
But if you’re in Japan during winter, there’s a special winter event in Nagamachi district, Kanazawa – Komo-gake that you should not miss. The traditional method of using the straw mats to cover the earthen walls for protection against snow is a very interesting thing to see.
And on the whole, including a night stay, this entire trip to Nagamachi district, Kanazawa will cost you around 10,000 to 12,000 yen (under $100).
So, if you are wondering whether to add Nagamachi to your Japan solo travel itinerary, straight away do it. You will thank me later! It is one of the best escapes from Japan’s busy city life.
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