Hashizume-mon Gate: A Portal to Kanazawa's Past

Hashizume-mon Gate stands as a significant historical landmark within Kanazawa Castle Park, offering visitors a glimpse into the Edo period. As the main gate of the castle's Ni-no-maru (second enclosure), it played a crucial role in the castle's defense and access control. The gate's current form is a reconstruction from 1788, built after a fire destroyed the original structure. The gate exemplifies traditional Japanese castle architecture, featuring a two-story arrow tower and multiple doors reinforced with large iron nails. The design incorporates a 'masugata,' a rectangular space surrounded by stone walls and double walls, a common defensive feature in Kanazawa Castle. The gate complex consists of the Ichi-no-mon (Korai-mon style) and the Ni-no-mon (watch-tower style), creating a formidable entrance. Today, visitors can explore the Hashizume-mon Gate and appreciate the craftsmanship and historical significance of this important structure. The surrounding Kanazawa Castle Park offers further exploration of reconstructed castle buildings, including turrets and storehouses, as well as beautiful gardens. The park is open to the public, and some castle buildings require a small admission fee. The Hashizume-mon Gate, along with the Ishikawa-mon and Kahoku-mon gates, are considered the three major gates of Kanazawa Castle, each providing a unique perspective on the castle's history and design.