Nomura Samurai Family Residence

Kanazawa’s Naga-machi Buke-yashiki area is a traditional area of earthen walls, stone-paved streets, and numerous samurai residences. The Nomura Family Residence, the former home of the Nomura Denbei Nobusada family, direct vassals of the feudal warlord Maeda Toshiie, master of Kaga Domain (modern-day southern Ishikawa Prefecture), is open to the public. The Nomura family’s long history lasted until the end of the samurai period in 1871. The home’s classic earthen walls, old trees, and flowing kyokusen stream for poetry parties remain from those days, and swords and armor inherited from the Nomura family can also be seen. The sliding door art in the upstairs room was painted by an artist employed by the Kaga clan. The stunning garden was ranked third by the American gardening magazine “Journal of Japanese Gardening” in their ranking of Japanese gardens. The present building was built in 1843 and later moved from the residence of merchant Kubo Hikobe. Enjoy green tea and dried sweets while viewing the garden from the second floor tea room.