Kinjo Reitaku, the Golden Spring Behind the Name Kanazawa

Kanazawa Shrine stands right beside the famous garden Kenrokuen in Kanazawa. Within its precinct wells the quiet spring of Kinjo Reitaku. Long ago a man called Imohori Togoro washed yams in this spring water and found a great deal of gold dust, and the resulting name Sawa for Washing Gold is said to have given Kanazawa, meaning marsh of gold, its name. The twelfth lord of the Kaga domain, Maeda Narinaga, shaped it into its present form in 1819.

Highlights

• The legendary spring said to have given Kanazawa its name, quietly passed down as a power spot for wealth
• The stone shelter covering the spring. Though right next to the bustling Kenrokuen, it is an easily overlooked hidden gem
• Kanazawa Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, god of learning, with deities of wealth and protection from misfortune also enshrined alongside

Enjoying the Seasons

Adjacent to Kenrokuen, it can be visited alongside the garden beauty of each season, from cherry blossoms in spring and greenery in summer to autumn colors and the snow ropes of winter. It is a perfect place to drop by during sightseeing and quietly bring your palms together.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa (within Kanazawa Shrine)
• Access: From JR Kanazawa Station, take a bus to Kenrokuen-shita Kanazawa-jo or Hirosaka 21st Century Museum, then a short walk. The Kanazawa Flat Bus Kikugawa route to the Prefectural Museum of Art is also convenient
• Hours: Grounds open freely (the shrine office has set hours)
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season: When combined with Kenrokuen, spring with cherry blossoms and early winter with autumn colors and snow ropes are especially beautiful
• Avoiding crowds: The morning right after Kenrokuen opens has fewer visitors, so you can view Kinjo Reitaku at leisure
• Time needed: About ten minutes just to view Kinjo Reitaku. Combined with Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park, you can enjoy half a day to a full day
• Nearby spots: Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park, the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art are all within walking distance
• Budget guide: The visit to Kinjo Reitaku and Kanazawa Shrine is free. Including the Kenrokuen entrance fee of a few hundred yen, you can tour it all for around a thousand yen

A Quick Tip

Locals say to hold your breath and circle the spring three times clockwise while reciting your wish. Pairing it with Kenrokuen makes for an efficient route, so build it into your sightseeing plan. Bringing your palms together while reflecting on the origin of the name Kanazawa makes the memory of your trip run deeper.

📚 Sources

This article is based on the history of Kanazawa Shrine, where Kinjo Reitaku spring is located, information published by Kanazawa City and the Kanazawa City Tourism Association, and information from Ishikawa Prefecture, which manages Kenroku-en. The reception hours of the Kanazawa Shrine office and the opening hours and fees of adjacent Kenroku-en may change. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please check each facility's official information before setting out.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: Allow about 10 minutes just to view Kinjo Reitaku, or a half to full day combined with Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle Park.
• What to bring: Small change for admission is handy if you tour with Kenroku-en. The grounds are a place for quiet prayer, so visit calmly.
• Suggested route: Drop by Kinjo Reitaku next to Kenroku-en right after the garden opens in the morning, worship at Kanazawa Shrine, then walk on to Kanazawa Castle Park, the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, and the 21st Century Museum.
• Beating the crowds: Right after Kenroku-en opens in the morning, there are fewer visitors and you can view Kinjo Reitaku at leisure.