Photo: mrpbps / CC BYKanazawa Castle was the residence of the Maeda family, the lords of Kaga, and the prefecture's own site calls it a 'museum of stone walls'. The lawns and walls are free to walk, and the gates and turrets (the Ishikawa-mon, Hashizume-mon and others) give the park a proper castle outline. It is one of the few places in the city where you can walk without paying and still see something substantial.
The paid part is a single ticket for three restored buildings: Hishi-yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki-yagura, ¥320 for adults. Entry is free for those aged 65 and over with proof of age. The buildings are open 9:00 to 16:30, last entry at 16:00, every day of the year.
The catch is that this is a park, not an interior. If you do not like walking and stairs, or do not care for stone walls and wooden reconstructed turrets, you will want the garden next door more. Most people link it with Kenroku-en, and the two share an administration; the two together make the real half-day.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Take the Loop Bus to 'Kenrokuen Garden / Kanazawa Castle Park' (both loops stop there); the Loop Bus accepts Suica-type cards.
- Over-65s enter the paid buildings free with proof of age. Adults pay ¥320, children 6–17 ¥100.
- Hours change on 16 October: after that the park opens at 8:00 and closes at 17:00.
- The same ¥320 ticket structure applies at Kenroku-en (adults ¥320, 65+ free), so a day of both costs ¥640 for adults.
- On night-opening dates the park stays open until 21:00, according to the opening-hours page.
The buildings are open 9:00 to 16:30, last entry at 16:00, every day of the year.
Guided days from Kanazawa
Booked before you sail — there is no tour desk at the pier. Booking through these links supports the site.
More in Kanazawa
Questions people ask here
Is Kanazawa Castle Park free?
The park itself is free. Three restored buildings (Hishi-yagura, Gojukken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki-yagura) charge adults ¥320, children aged 6 to 17 ¥100, and are free for those aged 65 and over with proof of age.
What are Kanazawa Castle Park's opening hours?
The park runs 7:00–18:00 until 15 October and 8:00–17:00 from 16 October to the end of February, with no closing days. The paid buildings open 9:00 to 16:30 with last entry at 16:00.
How do I get from the cruise terminal to Kanazawa Castle Park?
Take bus 04 from the Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal to Kanazawa Station (28–35 minutes), then the Loop Bus from the East Gate to 'Kenrokuen Garden / Kanazawa Castle Park' (¥220). Allow about 75 minutes in all.