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But the most famous attraction related to the castle is Myoryu-ji (‘trick temple’, also known as the ‘[[ninja]] house’) located across town from the castle. It looks like any other temple, but actually was a seven story castle built with the roof of a Buddhist temple. Because the Maeda were the second richest clan in Japan after the Tokugawa, they were under intense surveillance by Ieyasu’s spys monitoring their actions. To avoid this scrutiny, the Maeda conducted all their important business at Myoryu-ji. They were able to reach the ‘temple’ unobserved via the central well, which in addition to supplying water featured a tunnel straight to Kanazawa Castle. Myoryu-ji is loaded with other secret doors and passages and all the interior windows face the well. Perhaps the most ingenious aspect of Myoryu-ji is the coin collection chest inside the front room. It looks like any other contribution box in any temple, but actually disguises a trap door designed to drop an enemy to his death.

But the most famous attraction related to the castle is Myoryu-ji (‘trick temple’, also known as the ‘[[ninja]] house’) located across town from the castle. It looks like any other temple, but actually was a seven story castle built with the roof of a Buddhist temple. Because the Maeda were the second richest clan in Japan after the Tokugawa, they were under intense surveillance by Ieyasu’s spys monitoring their actions. To avoid this scrutiny, the Maeda conducted all their important business at Myoryu-ji. They were able to reach the ‘temple’ unobserved via the central well, which in addition to supplying water featured a tunnel straight to Kanazawa Castle. Myoryu-ji is loaded with other secret doors and passages and all the interior windows face the well. Perhaps the most ingenious aspect of Myoryu-ji is the coin collection chest inside the front room. It looks like any other contribution box in any temple, but actually disguises a trap door designed to drop an enemy to his death.

Today, of Kanazawa Castle proper, only a turret, the Ishikawa-mon, and the 177 foot long armory remain. These structures feature the famous Kutani lead tiling from the region. The Ishikawa-mon protected the rear entrance to Kanazawa and has a triple-roofed Korai-mon and a two story Yagura-mon boxing the courtyard. It also has a corner tower and parapets. The roofing was made from lead, which along with the tiling could be melted down to make bullets in case of a siege. The castle site now is filled by Kanazawa University.  

Today, of Kanazawa Castle proper, only a turret, the Ishikawa-mon, and the 177 foot long armory remain. These structures feature the famous Kutani lead tiling from the region. The Ishikawa-mon protected the rear entrance to Kanazawa and has a triple-roofed Korai-mon and a two story Yagura-mon boxing the courtyard. It also has a corner tower and parapets. The roofing was made from lead, which along with the tiling could be melted down to make bullets in case of a siege. The castle site was home to Kanazawa University until 1989.

While not much remains of the castle, Kanazawa is still worthy of a visit. The castle town has many interesting structures. The Pond Garden (now Kenroku Park) and the Maeda mansion still stand, and the Myoryu-ji is a prime destination as well.  

While not much remains of the castle, Kanazawa is still worthy of a visit. The castle town has many interesting structures. The Pond Garden (now Kenroku Park) and the Maeda mansion still stand, and the Myoryu-ji is a prime destination as well.  

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]