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During World War Two, Kanazawa was Japan's second largest city (after Kyoto) to escape destruction by air raids.Consequently, parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived in pretty good condition

Hokuriku Shinkansen near Sugise Tunnel between Shin-Takaoka and Kanazawa

Kanazawa Station was bustling with local people who had been awaiting the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen for so long, and was crowded with tourists, too. Since Kanazawa has lots of rain and snow, they built a glass dome called, 'Motenashi (welcome) Dome', to provide shelter for visitors

'Motenashi (welcome) Dome‘

('Motenashi' means 'welcome' in Japanese)

The area around Kanazawa Station

This gigantic dome is supported by two massive pillars, which are modeled after the Japanese drums used in Kaga-Hoshou, the traditional Noh performance in this region

The picturesque trees are fitted with supportive bamboo poles and ropes (called yukitsuri) to protect them from the area's heavy snow

The tsuzumi is a Japanese drum of Chinese/Indian origin. The tsuzumi plays roles in both Noh and kabuki theater music, but it is also used in min'yō, or Japanese folk music.

Ceiling of 'Tsuzumi-mon‘ gate which symbolizes a traditional Japanese hand drum called Tsuzumi. They were completed in 2005

The “river”

The “river” ends in the waterfall down to a pool two levels below ground

JR Kanazawa Station is one of the most beautiful train stations in Japan

The Hokuriku Shinkansen began service in 1997 in advance of the Nagano Olympics. The extension to Kanazawa opened on 14 March 2015

The parking and Station seen from hotel window

Kanazawa Station is the main gateway to Kanazawa where visitors can transfer to the local bus system

If you see people in yellow jackets in Kanazawa, they may be volunteer tourist guides called maido-san. (“Maido-san” means something like “hello” in Kanazawa dialect. Local people will be thrilled when you address them with “maido-san!”)

Retro-styled loop bus that departs Kanazawa Station and makes a big circle that hits just about all the major sightseeing spots

“Japan…Where the streets are clean and even the manhole covers are works of art”

Manhole cover of Kanazawa

Contemporary Art in Korinbo, Kanazawa’s business districtStatue by Kori Junji titled 'Hashire’ (meaning Run)

The Japanese word for frog is kaeru. Kaeru also means “return”.In Japan frogs are very auspicious.Anyone travelling may want to bring a frog amulet on their journey as this is believed to secure a safe return.Many may also want to keep a small frog amulet in their purse or wallet at all times. The idea is that the frog will see to it that money always finds its way back to the wallet

Golden Frog Oyama-Jinja Temple

Today, school uniforms are common in many of the Japanese public and private school systems

Seirei Hospital Chapel and Kanazawa Seirei Hospital Parking

Kanazawa Seirei Hospital

Seirei Hospital Chapel

During the Edo Period, Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan after the Tokugawa in terms of rice production and fief size. Accordingly, Kanazawa grew to become a town of great cultural achievements, rivaling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).

Nagamachi was a samurai district located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle, where samurai and their families used to reside. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining samurai residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals

Large-scale reorganization of the samurai areas took place in 1611. Areas had been ordained by income. In most cases, even with large fiefs like Sendai and Satsuma, samurai tended to live on their own land, but in Kaga all samurai, regardless of income, lived in Kanazawa

The Onosho canal, which flows south of samurai district, the oldest of the 50 canals of Kanazawa, was an important waterway that carried goods from the harbor to the castle town

There was a practice in which the samurai’s wife or daughter would make a round to cross the eight bridges of Oni river (Onosho Canal) at two o’ clock in the middle of summer. In order to make a wish for protection against fire and cholera, the talisman from Yochi-in temple was dedicated to the mirade-working god in Rifune Shrine

Size and location of samurai housing was determined by income and standing. The size and height of the wall and the entry gate were also dictated by rank. Samurai over 400 koku in income had a stable gate, used to house guards and horses

Yukitsuri is a Japanese technique for preserving trees and shrubs from heavy snow. Trees are given extra support by bamboo poles with ropes attached to limbs; whereas, shrubs are often tied tightly around the circumference. Yukitsuri is a common sight in Kanazawa during the winter months

Black-glazed tiles (Kawara) The use of tiles on the frontage and boards under the eaves is also to prevent snow damage

Mud walls enclose the vast property of the Samurai houses and extend down along the street. The style of the gate was determined by the rank of the family. Only people of samurai status were allowed to live in these types of houses which today convey to us the atmosphere of the feudal era

Traditional straw sandals the charm against evils because symbolic of the power of Ni-Ou.

The Niō (Benevolent Kings) are a pair of protectors who commonly stand guard outside the temple gate at Japanese Buddhist temples

Nomura Family Samurai House

Nomura Family Samurai House

The house has a coffered ceiling totally made of Japanese cypress and also fusuma-e (paintings on sliding-door panels) created by the Maeda family's personal painter

Nomura Family Samurai Residence

The family successively held executive posts from generation to generation under rule of the Maeda family

samurai full armor

Nagayamon

The word nagaya-mon refers to a characteristic samurai-house gate placed in the center of a long row-house. The samurais’ servants, called chugen and komono, lived in a room adjacent to nagaya-mon, and served as both attendants and gate-keepers. The nagayamon gate (row house gate) of a middle-class samurai family has a servant room and stable

The word ashigaru refers to foot soldiers who were conscripted at times of war. During the Warring States period, the ashigaru were frequently utilized in military units comprised of archers and riflemen, however, during the Edo period they were the lowest-ranking samurai and did not play the active role they once didAshigaru Museum

© 2013 Chuck LaChiusa

People usually sat on cushions or otherwise on the floor

© 2013 Chuck LaChiusa

The ashigaru, or footsoldiers, were the lowest ranked soldiers of the samurai class. This small museum consists of two reconstructed homes, which illustrate the relatively austere lifestyle of the ashigaru.

Ashigaru Museum

© 2013 Chuck LaChiusa © 2013 Chuck LaChiusa

Once in the garden, the stone water basins (tsukubai) for visitors to wash their hands and mouth before the tea ceremony

© 2013 Chuck LaChiusa

Ashigaru, from the time of Kamakura Period, were

essential during group battle. During the peaceful Edo Period (1603-1867) and

reconstruction, the number of Ashigaru was limited Bucket and tray display

© 2013 Chuck LaChiusa © 2013 Chuck LaChiusa

Ashigaru Museum

© 2013 Chuck LaChiusa

Storage area reached via ladder

The house of the Takada Family, a middle-class samurai family

The highlight is the garden with a pond in round-the-pond style with water taken from the Onosho canal

Text: Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu

Jeffrey Friedl

Nicoleta Leu

InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Traditional Ceremonial Music 201

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