Nagamachi Samurai District.

Step into the Edo period in Nagamachi, a remarkably preserved Kanazawa neighborhood where middle- and high-ranking samurai of the Maeda clan once lived. Escaping both wartime destruction and major fires, this atmospheric district retains its original layout of narrow, winding lanes, stone-paved paths, and historic water canals that still function today. The defining feature here is the earth-and-straw walls (*dobei*), which are wrapped in protective straw mats (*yokibutsu*) during the winter to prevent frost damage. While many residences remain private family homes, visitors can tour the Nomura-ke, a restored samurai villa featuring heirloom armor and a compact, world-class viewing garden. Nearby, a pair of free-to-visit *ashigaru* houses offer a fascinating look at the more modest lives of foot soldiers.