Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum

Name: Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum
Address: 2-chōme-10-17 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0981, Japan
Rating: 3.7

3.7 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Museum・Point Of Interest・Establishment

The Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum in Kanazawa offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the ashigaru, the foot soldiers who served under the samurai during Japan's feudal era. Situated in a restored ashigaru house, the museum provides an authentic look at the modest living conditions and daily routines of these unsung warriors.

Visitors to the museum can explore rooms furnished with period artifacts, showing how the ashigaru lived, worked, and managed their households. The museum also displays tools, weapons, and personal items that give a vivid picture of their societal roles and challenges.

The Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum is more than a historical exhibit; it's an immersive experience that connects visitors with a lesser-known aspect of Japanese history. It's a place where you can step back in time and understand the contrast between the lives of the elite samurai and their loyal foot soldiers. Whether you're a history buff or someone curious about the everyday life of the past, this museum offers a fascinating and enlightening journey into the world of the ashigaru.

Hours:

9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year.

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

No entrance fee

Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 76-233-1561

Website

www.kanazawa-museum.jp

The area

Address

2-chōme-10-17 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0981, Japan

Top ways to experience Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum

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Kanazawa Full-Day Private Walking Tour With a Local Guide

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Kanazawa Half-Day Private Walking Tour With a Local Guide

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4hrs

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What other travelers are saying about Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum

Fantastic museum that details the history of the Maeda Tosanokami-ke family. Visually, mainly documents written by the heads and poems/stories from the time. 2 sets of armor. Great english translations of the explanation/ summary descriptions but the text itself in various documents are not translated. If you would like to read them, google translate is required. Enjoyed the written explanation on how a letter at the time should be written and the accompanying self-guided exercise on how to fold the letter. Completed the circuit of both floors in ~ 1hr. Note I was reading every summary explanation provided in English but did not try to translate many of the documents themselves. I found the summaries to be insightful enough.

Suzanne Du

Oct 31, 2024

Not interesting at all if you want to see Samurai stuff. Lots of documents, not worth it. It's more interesting the small museum across the road.

Manuel Vadillo

Dec 6, 2024

One for the enthusiasts. The collection is limited to mainly documents from the samurai era plus a couple of suits of armour. We suggest walk down the road to the Shinise Memorial Hall which is half the price and way better

Simon and Dawn Vaux

Oct 9, 2024

Interesting and well kept, Samurai museum. When you visit this museum make sure you use the “Google Translate App” which is free to download on your smart phone, as it makes the second floor of Samurai stories written in Japanese, come to life.

Janeway

Oct 15, 2024

Bluntly, it is boring... nothing that can teach anything about the time, life, culture... just going through the line of heads of family... for to armors... skip it...