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The stone walls of the castle were repaired and restored in [[1765]], though the structures standing today which compose the Ishikawa-mon date to 1788. The Ishikawa-mon is a ''masu-gata'' (枡形) or "square gate," composed in fact of two gates through which a visitor or invader must pass. Upon entering the triple-roofed Kôrai-mon (高麗門), one must turn ninety degrees to pass through the two-story Yagura-mon (櫓門) boxing a small courtyard. Guards stationed atop the walls of the gatehouse and in a two-story watchtower overlooked and defended this courtyard, the bridge, and beyond.

The stone walls of the castle were repaired and restored in [[1765]], though the structures standing today which compose the Ishikawa-mon date to 1788. The Ishikawa-mon is a ''masu-gata'' (枡形) or "square gate," composed in fact of two gates through which a visitor or invader must pass. Upon entering the triple-roofed Kôrai-mon (高麗門), one must turn ninety degrees to pass through the two-story Yagura-mon (櫓門) boxing a small courtyard. Guards stationed atop the walls of the gatehouse and in a two-story watchtower overlooked and defended this courtyard, the bridge, and beyond.

Like most structures in the compound, the Ishikawa-mon features lead tile roofs and ''namako'' plastered walls, for protection from fire. The distinctive so-called ''namako kabe'' or "sea cucumber walls" of Kanazawa castle are made from plaster walls inlaid with a great many square slate bricks, forming a sort of grid pattern and offering better protection from the heavy snowfalls typical in the region. The walls were further propped up from the back by wooden struts known as ''hikae-bei'' (控塀). A plank could be laid across these in a siege, allowing defenders a higher position from which to attack over the wall.

Like most structures in the compound, the Ishikawa-mon features lead tile roofs and ''namako'' plastered walls, for protection from fire. These structures feature the famous Kutani lead tiling from the region. These were designed to be melted down for bullets in the event of a siege against the castle. 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. The distinctive so-called ''namako kabe'' or "sea cucumber walls" of Kanazawa castle are made from plaster walls inlaid with a great many square slate bricks, forming a sort of grid pattern and offering better protection from the heavy snowfalls typical in the region. The walls were further propped up from the back by wooden struts known as ''hikae-bei'' (控塀). A plank could be laid across these in a siege, allowing defenders a higher position from which to attack over the wall.

The Ishikawa-mon grants access to the ''shinmaru'' ("new bailey") and ''san-no-maru'' (third bailey), which once held retainers' mansions, an arquebus armory, and various workshops and artisan studios. The ''gojukken-nagaya'' ("Fifty Bays Long Armory") separates this space from the more central, and more important, ''ni-no-maru'' (second bailey).

The Ishikawa-mon grants access to the ''shinmaru'' ("new bailey") and ''san-no-maru'' (third bailey), which once held retainers' mansions, an arquebus armory, and various workshops and artisan studios. The ''gojukken-nagaya'' ("Fifty Bays Long Armory") separates this space from the more central, and more important, ''ni-no-maru'' (second bailey).

The [[jokamachi|castle town]] of Kanazawa which grew up around the castle remains today one of the most intact Edo period castle towns in Japan, and an oft-cited example of a provincial castle town. The famous (and practical) [[Kenrokuen]] garden, one of the three top famous gardens in Japan, lies adjacent to the castle. The streams feeding the garden also served the purpose of supplying the castle town with water, and the terminus of these streams was shaped into a replica of Lake Biwa near [[Kyoto]]. The castle town spawned the [[Kaga-Hosho school|Kaga Hôshô school]] of [[Noh]]. [[Kutani pottery]] was first made here, and the Maeda lords sent missions to China and Korea for technical advice on ceramics. The area was also famous for its wrought-iron tea kettles used for [[tea ceremony]].

The [[jokamachi|castle town]] of Kanazawa which grew up around the castle remains today one of the most intact Edo period castle towns in Japan, and an oft-cited example of a provincial castle town. The famous (and practical) [[Kenrokuen]] garden, one of the three top famous gardens in Japan, lies adjacent to the castle. The streams feeding the garden also served the purpose of supplying the castle town with water, and the terminus of these streams was shaped into a replica of Lake Biwa near [[Kyoto]]. The castle town spawned the [[Kaga-Hosho school|Kaga Hôshô school]] of [[Noh]]. [[Kutani pottery]] was first made here, and the Maeda lords sent missions to China and Korea for technical advice on ceramics. The area was also famous for its wrought-iron tea kettles used for [[tea ceremony]].

The temple of [[Myoryu-ji|Myôryû-ji]], located across town from the castle, is another famous site in the city. It looks like any other temple, but actually was a seven-story fortress. Because the Maeda were the wealthiest clan in Japan after the Tokugawa, they were under intense surveillance by Ieyasu’s spies. To avoid this scrutiny, the Maeda conducted much of their important business at Myôryû-ji. Myôryû-ji is loaded with secret doors and passages and a number of defensive features, such as hidden spiked pits.

The temple of [[Myoryu-ji (Kanazawa)|Myôryû-ji]] (also known as the ‘[[ninja]] temple’), located across town from the castle, is another famous site in the city. It was designed to look like any other Buddhist temple, but actually was a seven-story fortress. Because the Maeda were the wealthiest clan in Japan after the Tokugawa, they were under intense surveillance by Ieyasu’s spies. To avoid this scrutiny, the Maeda conducted much of their important business at Myôryû-ji. It is often said that 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; however, such a tunnel would have had to pass through the river, and no evidence of such a tunnel has been found. Myôryû-ji is loaded with other secret doors and passages and all the interior windows face the well (supposedly in order to maintain surveillance on the comings and goings from it). One of many traps and tricks in the temple is the coin collection chest in the main worship hall; it looks like any other contribution box in any temple, but actually disguises a trap door designed to drop an enemy to his death.

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