Nomura Residence 野村家

Samurai estate with a tranquil garden and family heirlooms

The Nomura Residence in Kanazawa’s Nagamachi Nagamachi Samurai District is the former estate of 11 generations of an upper-middle-rank samurai family. Its garden features a stream, waterfall, granite bridge, and a 400-year-old bayberry tree. It was chosen as the third-best Japanese garden by the Journal of Japanese Gardening and awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide. Admire the garden from the upstairs tea room while drinking matcha tea.

The Nomura family were responsible for horseback security for the lords of the Kaga domain (present-day Ishikawa and its surroundings), and their samurai swords and armor are on display. The current house was built by the owner of a kitamaebune merchant ship in the Hashitate area. A wealthy industrialist purchased the Nomura estate in the early twentieth century and moved the house to its present location.