Travel to Kanazawa and Gokayama Part 5: Kanazawa Castle Park

[Introduction]

I traveled to Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture) and Gokayama (Toyama Prefecture) for three days and two nights. This was my first visit to Hokuriku District and I felt unique atmosphere there. In this article, I will write about Kanazawa Castle Park as part of Day 2.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1 (1) Kanazawa Station, Omi-cho Market and Oyama Jinja Shrine
* Day 1 (2) Buke Yashiki District, 21st Century Museum and D.T. Suzuki Museum
* Day 1 (3) Kanazawa Castle Park and Kanazawa Station (Illumination)
* Day 2 (1) Kenrokuen Garden
* Day 2 (2) Kanazawa Castle Park [This article]
* Day 2 (3) Higashi Chaya District and Kazue-machi Chaya District
* Day 2 (4) Higashi Chaya District and Kazue-machi Chaya District (Light-up)
* Day 3 (1) Gokayama: Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village
* Day 3 (2) Gokayama: Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village
* Day 3 (3) Kanazawa Station

[Travel Date]
2016.05.14-16

[Main Part]

It was the second day in the afternoon. After Kenrokuen Garden, I moved to Kanazawa Castle Park. Since these two places were adjacent to each other, I visited them over lunch.

What is Kanazawa Castle Park?

I mentioned in the article of the first day evening, but I will introduce Kanazawa Castle Park again. Kanazawa Castle Park is a city park where there used to be Kanazawa Castle. Although most of the buildings of Kanazawa Castle were destroyed by fire, they have been restored.

Ishikawa-mon gate

I entered into Kanazawa Castle Park from Ishikawa-mon gate.

Ishikawa-mon gate was restored in 1788 and is designated as a nationally important cultural property.

Ni-no-maru square and San-no-maru square

After I passed Ishikawa-mon gate, there was San-no-maru square. Incidentally, a marathon event was held.

Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura, which were reconstructed in 2001.

When I turned back, I saw Ishikawa-mon gate over there.

Moved to Ni-no-maru square.

View of Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura from Ni-no-maru square.

I just happened to see a local mascot.

Gyokusen’inmaru Garden

Then, I visited Gyokusen’inmaru Garden.

I revisited it after I came here on the first day evening for the light-up.

Some places were prohibited from entering during the light-up, but now allowed during the day. Here were photos of such spots.

The final shot at the garden.

Sanjukken Nagaya

After I left Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, I moved to Sanjukken Nagaya.

Sanjukken Nagaya was constructed in 1858 and is designated as a nationally important cultural property.

Visitors were able to enter into the building.

View of Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura from near Sanjukken Nagaya.

Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura

Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura, again.

Although extra fee was required, visitors were allowed to enter into the building and I did.

In the building.

View from the building.

The final shot of Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura.

Kahoku-mon gate

Now I watched most of the tourist spots in the park. Then, I passed Kahoku-mon gate.

When I tried to move to Ote-mon gate to leave the park through Shin-maru square, I found the square was full of participants for the marathon event.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about Kanazawa Castle Park as part of Day 2. I visited the park twice during both the evening and the day and found different atmosphere there. So, I would recommend visitors visit the park at both the day and the evening, if possible 🙂

In the next article, I will write about Higashi Chaya District and Kazue-machi Chaya District.

[Map]