This place was the base of the Kaga Ikko Ikki and was the temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect, 'Oyama Gobo' (or Miyama Gobo). Although it was called a temple, it was also a fortress that could be called a castle surrounded by stone walls, similar to Osaka's Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple (Osaka Gobo). Oda Nobunaga attacked the uprising, built Kanazawa Castle on the site, and placed Morimasa Sakuma. Later, Morimasa was killed by Hideyoshi Hashiba in the Battle of Shizugatake, and Hideyoshi gave Kanazawa Castle to Toshiie Maeda. Toshiie began renovation work in 1592, expanding the enclosure and moat, and building a five-storied, six-story castle tower and turret. Kenrokuen is a daimyo garden that was renovated by successive lords of the Kaga domain.
この地は加賀一向一揆の拠点で浄土真宗の寺院である「尾山御坊（おやまごぼう、または御山御坊）」であった。寺とはいうものの大阪の石山本願寺（大坂御坊）と同じく石垣を廻らした城ともよべる要塞でもあった。織田信長が一揆を攻め落とし、跡地に金沢城を築いて佐久間盛政を置いた。後に盛政は賤ヶ岳の戦で羽柴秀吉により討たれ、秀吉は金沢城を前田利家に与えた。利家は文禄元年（1592年）から改修工事を始め、曲輪や堀の拡張、5重6階の天守や櫓を建て並べた。兼六園は、加賀藩五代藩主前田綱紀が金沢城に付属してつくらせた蓮池庭を前身とし、代々の藩主が改修した大名庭園である。