江戸時代、金沢の城下町の7割は城や武家屋敷など武士に関わる土地だったそうです。今も代表的な武家屋敷が残る長町は、堅固な土塀と石畳が特徴的です。御荷川とも呼ばれる用水が流れ、築城や城下町整備の際には大量の木材がこの川から運ばれたそうです。
During the Edo period, about 70% of Kanazawa’s castle town consisted of the castle, samurai residences, and other areas associated with the warrior class. Today, the Nagamachi Samurai District preserves the atmosphere of that era with its sturdy earthen walls and stone-paved streets. A canal known as the Onigawa Waterway runs through the district. During the construction of Kanazawa Castle and the development of the castle town, large quantities of timber were transported along this waterway.
野村家跡 Nomura-ke (Nomura Samurai Residence)
初代藩主前田利家の直臣野村伝兵衛の屋敷。
This residence once belonged to Nomura Denbei, a direct retainer of Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the Kaga Domain.
入口に、初代野村伝兵衛が着用した鎧があります。
At the entrance, visitors can see the armor worn by the first Nomura Denbei.
藩主を招いた上段の間や謁見の間などがあり、武家屋敷の中でも格調高く豪華な建物です。
Inside are elegant rooms, including the Jodan-no-Ma (Upper Chamber), where the lord of the domain was welcomed, and an audience room for receiving distinguished guests. It is one of the finest and most luxurious samurai residences in Kanazawa.
この中に鶯を飼い、鳴き声を楽しんだそうです。風流を尽くした生活がうかがわれます。
The family is also said to have kept Japanese bush warblers indoors to enjoy their beautiful songs, offering a glimpse into the refined lifestyle of the samurai elite.
茶室もあります。金沢の茶室では、茶室を2階に設ける例もあり、庭の眺めを高いところから楽しむことができます。
The residence also includes a traditional tea room. In Kanazawa, some tea rooms were built on the second floor, allowing guests to enjoy beautiful views of the garden from above.
高田家 Takada Family Residence
中級武士の邸宅。母屋は見ることができませんが、長屋門や高田家で働く中間（武士の使用人）の部屋などがあり、当時の武士の暮らしを垣間見ることができます。
The Takada family residence belonged to a middle-ranking samurai family. Although the main house is not open to visitors, the nagaya-mon (gatehouse) and the rooms used by the family’s attendants can still be seen, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of samurai and the people who served them.
武家屋敷を出て、金沢城を挟んで反対側にある、ひがし茶屋街へ。武士の格式ある町並みとは対照的に、そこには芸妓文化が息づく華やかな世界が広がっていました。
After leaving the samurai district, I headed to the Higashi Chaya District, located on the opposite side of Kanazawa Castle. In striking contrast to the dignified streets of the samurai quarter, a lively world of traditional teahouses and geisha culture awaited.
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