Nagamachi Samurai District

Kanazawa, Japan

Just west across the road from Kanazawa, Nagamachi is a samurai district that housed the middle and upper retainers of the Maeda daimyo. A typical restored street is seen here; the residences are located behind mud walls that front the lane. In wintertime the walls were protected by straw mats, as seen here, to avoid damage from the snow.