Originally home to the city’s samurai, the Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District is set in the south of Kanazawa City and has many original buildings, streets, and features. The picturesque quarter offers a brilliant glimpse into the past of the region and the country as a whole. The district of Nagamachi was named after the Naga samurai family, one of many to have lived in the area.

Undoubtedly the main feature of Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District is its history. Known more commonly as the Nagamachi Samurai District, the area boasts cobbled streets, earth walls, and old samurai residences. Spared from the bombings of World War II, some of the buildings and streets have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Aside from simply strolling the extremely photogenic streets and completely soaking up the history of Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District, you can also pay a visit to the Nomura Samurai House, which is one of the only old samurai houses open to the public. The Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum, a small museum dedicated to foot soldiers, and Kaga Yuzenkan, a traditional center for kimono silks, are both worth a visit as well. These old houses, museums, and art exhibitions give you a tangible feel of life back in the days of the samurai, as well as a unique sense of the rich history surrounding this interesting area.