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June 29, 2026 — Construction Finally Begins!

Construction of the main Ninomaru Palace building has finally begun! After a long period of planning and preparation, work on the main structure is now underway, marking an exciting and memorable milestone. The first stage of construction is excavation work for the building’s foundation. Workers are currently digging the ground in preparation for the installation of a concrete foundation slab that will support the reconstructed palace. You can follow the progress of the reconstruction project through live video on the Kanazawa Castle Park website. We hope you will enjoy watching the site transform day by day as the reconstruction moves forward.(M)

June 24, 2026 – Progress of the Wall and Partition Paintings

At last, starting this fiscal year, work has begun on creating the wall and partition paintings, one of the highlights of the Ninomaru Palace reconstruction. Although no original examples or photographs of the Edo-period wall and partition paintings remain, documents recording the artists and the compositions have been identified. Based on these records, as well as surviving examples from various locations, the compositions are being reconstructed through careful study and estimation.The work is being carried out at a workshop in Kyoto. During this working group session, we confirmed the stage at which the gold leaf had been applied and the base coating completed.

From here, the process will move on to building up layers of color. Even details such as the color of pine needles require careful consideration—examining which hues the artist Ganku may have used and whether the overall aesthetic quality of the work is maintained. With these perspectives in mind, the work will continue to be carried out with great care. (S)

June 17, 2026 – Excavation of Buried Cultural Properties

Approximately one meter beneath the surface of the Ninomaru Park lies ground dating back to the Edo period. Archaeological investigations conducted in the first-phase recostraction area of the Ninomaru Palace “Omotemuki,” where the protective structure (temporary roof) now stands, have uncovered traces of the palace. These findings serve as important evidence supporting its reconstruction. Currently, archaeological excavations for the second-phase reconstraction area are underway to the west of the protective structure. Archaeologists are carefully removing layers of soil to examine and document the remaining traces of the palace. On July 23 and 24, the Kanazawa Castle Experience Tour, “Ninomaru Palace Archaeological Excavation Edition,” will be held. We are now accepting participants. This is a rare opportunity to observe an active excavation site firsthand and experience a piece of history. We warmly invite you to join us.(M)

June 5, 2026 – Regular Meeting with Construction Stakeholders

This photo shows a regular meeting attended by contractors, designers, and prefectural officials involved in the reconstruction project. In addition to coordinating the construction schedule, detailed information about the site is shared among all participants to ensure close collaboration and safe progress of the work. With an increase in visitors expected for the Hyakumangoku Festival this weekend, safety measures for vehicle movement were also discussed during the meeting.(M)

May 28, 2026 – Reconstruction Site Tour Announced

A reconstruction site tour will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., during which the interior of the the temporary roof will be open to the public. Visitors will be able to view on-site displays showing the layout of the palace and reconstruction images, along with explanations provided by staff. As foundation work is scheduled to begin in late June, this will be the last opportunity to see the site in its pre-construction state, so we warmly encourage you to attend.(o)

Apr. 25, 2026 – Public Opening of the temporary roof

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the interior of the temporary roof was opened to the public, allowing visitors to see the layout of the palace and the reconstruction plans. More than 1,000 people attended, and many expressed their excitement, saying they look forward to the reconstruction being completed.(S)

Apr. 25, 2026 – Groundbreaking Ceremony

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Phase 1 of the “Omote-muki” area reconstruction of the Ninomaru Palace. This phase covers the entrance, shiki-dai, Tora-no-ma, and Jikken-no-ma. First, work will proceed on constructing the building’s foundations, assembling the columns and beams, and preparing the roof base. We will also work on the “Visible Kanazawa Castle” initiative to share the construction process with the public.(N)

Mar. 2026 – Completion of Preliminary Sketches for Wall Paintings

In the first phase of development , wall paintings will be created for the Tora-no-ma, the walls and sliding doors (fusuma) of the Omote-shiki-dai, and the cedar doors (sugido) of the veranda. Through ongoing discussions by a working group of scholars, curators, and specialized technicians, full-scale preliminary sketches depicting tigers and pine trees were completed by fiscal year 2025. From fiscal year 2026, work will begin on the final paintings (“hon-ga”), which will be applied directly to the palace walls and sliding doors.(S)

Feb. 2026 – Completion of the Protective Roof Structure

The temporary protective structure (a “suyane”) that covers the construction site for the restoration of the Ninomaru Palace has been completed. Construction of the palace building will begin inside this structure from spring. The progress of the construction will be shared through cameras installed inside the temporary roof, with live footage available on on-site monitors and via the internet. (M)

Sep.2025 –Exhibits on the construction site fence

The temporary fence surrounding the palace construction site features displays introducing the reconstruction image of the Ninomaru Palace, reproductions of the Tiger Room’s wall paintings, and an overview of excavation of buried cultural properties. Beautiful decorative patterns of Karakami paper used on the palace’s sliding doors are also highlights worth seeing. When you visit the Ninomaru Plaza, please take a moment to enjoy these exhibits.

Aug. 2025 –Construction of the Temporary Roof Underway!

At Ninomaru Park, we are building a temporary structure called a 'suyane' to cover the construction site. Work on the main palace building will begin after the completion of this temporary roof, which will allow construction to proceed regardless of weather conditions. The suyane stands about 26.7 meters high, making it a striking presence within the park.

Mar. 2025 – Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Kanazawa Castle’s Ninomaru Palace Temporary Roof

On March 9, 2025, the groundbreaking ceremony for the temporary roof of the Kanazawa Castle’s Ninomaru Palace was held. After the governor drove the first pile, a taiko drum performance was presented. This marks the official start of the restoration project that has been underway since 2018. We look forward to the faithful reconstruction of the Ninomaru Palace, showcasing the finest traditional craftsmanship of Ishikawa.