Nagamachi Samurai District — Preserved Samurai Residences

Nagamachi (長町) is Kanazawa's former samurai district where middle-ranking samurai of the Kaga Domain lived during the Edo Period. The neighborhood preserves earthen walls (dobei, 土塀), narrow lanes, and traditional samurai residences with their distinctive long layouts (naga-ya, 長屋, hence 'Nagamachi'). The earthen walls — ochre-colored mud mixed with straw and tile roofs — line the streets, creating an austere, dignified atmosphere that contrasts with the colorful geisha districts. In winter, straw mats (komo) cover the walls to protect them from snow damage, adding seasonal texture.

The Nomura Samurai House (武家屋敷跡 野村家, Nomura-ke) is the district's premier attraction — a meticulously restored residence of the Nomura family (mid-ranking samurai) featuring tatami rooms with cypress wood ceilings, shoji paper screens, and a celebrated courtyard garden with stone lanterns, koi pond, and waterfall. The house displays samurai armor, swords, tea ceremony implements, and family heirlooms. The Ashigaru Shiryokan (足軽資料館, Footsoldier Museum, free entry) preserves two residences of ashigaru (foot soldiers, the lowest samurai rank), showing the stark contrast between officer-class and common soldier living conditions. The district remains residential — many homes are occupied by descendants of samurai families, maintaining living continuity with the feudal past.