Shrine Grounds Guide

01 ｜ Main Sanctuary

Built in the traditional san-ken-sha nagare-zukuri style, the Main Sanctuary enshrines Lord Toshiie Maeda and his principal wife, Lady Omatsu, side by side. Its appearance beautifully blends traditional shrine architecture with red brick walls, reflecting both classical elegance and the spirit of modern Japan.

02 ｜ Red Brick Sacred Wall

This extremely rare red brick sacred wall surrounding the Main Sanctuary is said to be the first place in Kanazawa where bricks were used.
It features openwork carvings of the shrine crest, the “Ken-ume-bachi” (sword and plum blossom crest).

03 ｜ Lion-shaped Incense Burner

Located in the sacred courtyard in front of the Main Sanctuary, this majestic lion-shaped incense burner is made of Old Bizen ware.
It is said that Lord Maeda Toshiie received it from Toyotomi Hideyoshi in recognition of his military service during the Korean campaign.
Height: approx. 80 cm
Length: approx. 105 cm

04 ｜ Worship Hall

At the front entrance hangs a plaque bearing the shrine’s name, inscribed by Lord Toshitsugu, the 15th head of the Maeda family.
Inside, decorative elements from the Kanaya Palace era have been carefully preserved, including a coffered ceiling painted with sacred floral motifs and magnificent transom carvings of plum blossoms.

05 ｜ Sacred Gate

The exterior is decorated with Tomuro stone, a material distinctive to Kanazawa.The colorful glass on its third tier once served as a landmark for ships at sea, and the roof is fitted with Japan’s oldest lightning rod.

06 ｜ Amulet Office

Built in 2015, the year the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened between Nagano and Kanazawa, this modern glass-walled Amulet Office was designed to harmonise with the solemn atmosphere of the shrine grounds.
It received the 40th Kanazawa Urban Beauty and Culture Award in 2018.

07 ｜ Statue of Lord Toshiie

Born in Arako Village in Owari Province, Lord Toshiie Maeda served Oda Nobunaga alongside Toyotomi Hideyoshi in his youth.
As a member of Nobunaga’s elite guard, he became renowned as a fearless warrior and was feared throughout the land as “The Spear Master Mataza.”

08 ｜ Statue of Lady Omatsu

Lady Omatsu married Lord Toshiie
at the age of eleven and supported him through many hardships.
After his passing, she became known as Hoshun-in.
Later, she spent much of her later life in Edo, where she played an important role in protecting the future of the Maeda family.

09 ｜ Sacred Garden

This beautiful strolling gardenwith a central pond is said to be the last garden created by the Maeda family.
Its islands are designed in the shapes of traditional gagaku instruments, the musical instruments of the imperial court.
Water was once drawn here from Kenrokuen Garden through the Tatsumi Water Channel using an inverted siphon system.

10 ｜ Sashi-ishi(Strength Stone)

This stone was presented by the Maeda family and is said to have been used for tests of strength in earlier times.
Today, it is known as a popular power spot, where visitors touch the stone to pray for good health and physical strength.

11 ｜ Kanaya Shrine

Founded in 1879 as a memorial shrine for the Maeda family, Kanaya Shrine enshrines the successive lords of the Maeda clan from the 2nd to the 17th generation, together with their wives.
It is deeply revered as an auxiliary shrine honouring the legacy and achievements of the Maeda family.

12 ｜ East Sacred Gate

This gate originally stood at the Ninomaru Palace of Kanazawa Castle and was relocated here in 1963.
According to legend, during a great fire at the palace, the carved dragons on the gate called forth water and protected it from the flames, making it the only gate to survive.