FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Discover the Roots of Samurai Culture in Ishikawa

by Eugenia Lazaris

Nov 14, 2023

© Nuvisage | Dreamstime.com

Destinations / Asia

Japan’s samurai culture is centuries old with deep roots throughout the country. Elite and respected warriors, the samurai were an integral part of feudal Japan, abolished in the late 1800s. Today, family travelers to the country can learn about Japan’s samurai culture by visiting places that preserve this fascinating part of the country’s history, like Nagamachi Samurai District in the city of Kanazaw, Ishikawa Prefecture’s largest city.

 

house

© Eugenia Lazaris

This peaceful maze of pine tree-lined lanes is home to shrines, tea houses and charming shops selling local handicrafts. It is also home to Family House of Nomura, a treasured piece of Japanese cultural heritage. This home is a perfectly preserved samurai home belonging to the Nomura family who served the ruling Maeda family for generations.

 

The home is a beautiful example of the traditional Japanese style with floors made of grass tatami mats, hand-carved wood throughout, paper screens separating rooms and a traditional tearoom. Beautiful details can be found around every corner, such as some of the most notable artwork of Japanese artist Sasaki Senkei adorning the paper screen doors and beautifully carved wooden flowers hiding nails in the woodwork.

 

A traditional Japanese garden can be found in the back of the house, creating a tranquil place where you can relax and reconnect with nature. Complete with koi fish, native trees and plants, stone lanterns and a variety of water features, the garden is truly magical during a soothing rain.

 

exterior

© Eugenia Lazaris

Attached to the home is a small museum holding a collection of Nomura family artifacts that include samurai armor, heirloom swords and several scrolls containing letters of gratitude demonstrating how important they were, not just to the feudal lords or Maeda family, but to the communities they helped protect.

 

The house is open to the public at a cost of 550 yen (approximately $4), 400 yen ($3) for teens aged 15–17, and 250 yen (approximately $2) for children 7–14. There is an additional cost if you’d like to enjoy a matcha green tea sweet during your visit. The site is open year-round with the exception of Dec. 25–27 and Jan. 1–2.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Hotels
Feb 4, 2025

Celebrate Love and Romance This Year at Regent Santa Monica Beach

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, skip family travel and trade the craziness for a romantic getaway with your special someone. Regent Santa Monica Beach curated a set of romantic experiences just for Valentine’s Day.

Discover the Magic of East Crete: A Perfect Family Getaway

East Crete is a blend of stunning landscapes, history and charming towns, making it an ideal family destination. Far from the crowds of the west, the region offers pristine beaches, ancient sites and authentic Cretan villages.

Hotels
Feb 3, 2025

The Gant Aspen Debuts Winter Offerings

Plan family travel to Aspen, Colorado, this winter with The Gant Aspen. This luxury resort has something for everyone this winter season, with thrilling experiences and new offerings.

Travel Tips
Feb 3, 2025

Tips for a Stress-Free RV Road Trip with Kids

Family travel on the road can be stressful for many reasons, from restlessness to boredom to spending too much time on screens in the backseat. But RV road trips foster curiosity in kids and enhance family bonding, so don’t miss out on the opportunity for an RV vacation because of these avoidable stressors and fears.

Madrid: A Destination for All Ages

However one is traveling, what matters is having fun and creating unforgettable memories. Among many ways to travel, multigenerational trips — on which grandparents, parents and children get to spend quality time together — are gaining popularity. Setting out on this sort of adventure? Madrid has something to offer everyone!

Hotels
Jan 30, 2025

This Lisbon Hotel Loves Kids and Babies

Family resorts often provide special accommodations for children, but beyond the availability of a crib, these are rarely found in city hotels. This is what makes Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Luxury Hotel & Apartments so extraordinary. For traveling families, this hotel is a revelation.