Kenroku-en Garden: Experience Japan's Most Beautiful Strolling Garden in All Four Seasons
Kanazawa is a popular tourist destination that attracts many visitors from both Japan and abroad every year, offering various attractions including gourmet food, art, and history. It is particularly famous for its "historical" aspects, with many historical spots and traditional sites worth visiting.
This is because Kanazawa developed from a castle town that flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868, the era of the Samurai). Even today, many areas where you can feel the history and tradition remain.
This time, we'll introduce "Kenroku-en," one of Japan's three great gardens that reflects Kanazawa's traditions and aesthetic sensibilities.
Kanazawa is Famous Not Only for Gourmet Food and Contemporary Art, but Also as a City Where Tradition Lives and Breathes
The attractions of the tourist city Kanazawa are endless, including gourmet food, contemporary art, and markets.
Among these, what we want to focus on this time is "history." Kanazawa is a city where various traditional cultures are carefully preserved and passed down, including historical streetscapes, landscapes, and traditional crafts. Therefore, this city is strongly recommended for people who are interested in traditional Japanese culture. You can enjoy traditional Japanese culture from various angles - seeing, hearing, eating, touching, and experiencing.
Among These, Kenroku-en Boasts Top-Class Popularity as a Japanese Garden in Kanazawa
Among the spots where you can feel Kanazawa's history, Kenroku-en is particularly recommended. This is a prestigious Japanese garden with nearly 400 years of history, and since it was originally a garden for the powerful, it was a place that only limited people could see. After it was opened to the public in 1874, it became beloved by many people.
Kenroku-en is a large Japanese garden covering 11.7 hectares. It was once so large that it was called a "park" rather than a "garden," and it takes about an hour to walk around and see everything. The recommended way to enjoy this place is to take a stroll while enjoying the beautiful garden.
From here, we'll explain in detail the charms and highlights of Kenroku-en.
Highlights of Kenroku-en
A Garden Reflecting Japanese Aesthetic Sensibilities, Also Known as One of "Japan's Three Great Gardens"
Kenroku-en is one of the famous Japanese gardens known as Japan's Three Great Gardens. The attractive point of this garden is that you can enjoy Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, which is called "miyabi."
This Japanese garden features ponds, hills, arbors, and tea houses scattered throughout the vast grounds, and this is a "go round style" where you walk around to visit them all. It's as if miniature-sized nature is packed into a large garden, and it's very beautiful. The calm and peaceful atmosphere that permeates the garden is filled with the Japanese sense of "beauty."
Moreover, Kenroku-en was created using various garden techniques from different eras comprehensively. Therefore, another attractive point is that you can also feel the evolution of Japanese "beauty."
Beautiful Nature That Shows Different Expressions Each Season
Another attractive point of Kenroku-en is that you can see different scenery depending on the "four seasons," and contemplating the scenes that can only be seen at certain times is also part of Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.
From here, we'll introduce the attractive scenery of Kenroku-en by season.
Autumn at Kenroku-en
Autumn at Kenroku-en is popular for its autumn foliage.
About 800 deciduous trees including maple, cherry, and zelkova are planted within Kenroku-en. The sight of vivid autumn foliage gradations in red, orange, and yellow spreading before your eyes is a spectacular view. Also, I personally like not only the autumn leaves but also the contrast with the green of the evergreen trees.
Furthermore, the gentle and calming beauty felt from the sight of vivid autumn foliage reflected hazily on the water surface of ponds is also an attractive point.
Although the timing may vary, the peak viewing period is usually around November.
Spring at Kenroku-en
The highlight of spring at Kenroku-en is the cherry blossoms that bloom abundantly throughout the area. More than 400 cherry trees of about 40 varieties are planted within the garden. The sight of the entire garden being colored in pink is an absolute spectacular view that can only be seen in spring.
Also, it's a delightful point that you can see cherry blossom varieties that are rarely seen outside of Kenroku-en, including the "Kenroku-en Kikuzakura." This cherry blossom is my recommended variety, with 80-300 petals per flower, blooming in a small ball-like shape - it's a very adorable cherry blossom.
At Kenroku-en, illumination is held every year during cherry blossom season. The sight of pink glowing cherry blossoms emerging in the darkness is also fantastical and very beautiful.
Winter at Kenroku-enWinter at Kenroku-en
Winter at Kenroku-en offers captivating snow scenery. The sight of the entire garden covered in pure white snow creates a beauty reminiscent of a fairy tale world. Additionally, "yukitsuri" (snow suspension) is one of the attractive highlights. Yukitsuri involves stretching ropes in a triangular cone shape over trees to prevent them from collapsing under the weight of snow. The collaboration between the artificial forms of yukitsuri and natural snow creates a beautiful sight.
Around late January, plum blossoms begin to bud. The scene of small pink dots floating against the white snow conveys the seasonal transition toward spring. The delicate beauty felt here is one aspect of Japan's aesthetic sense of "beauty."
Summer at Kenroku-en
Summer at Kenroku-en is the season of fresh greenery. Vigorously growing leaves and summer flowers bloom in abundance. Purple irises, pink water lilies, and other small, lovely flowers that provide a sense of coolness even in the hot summer are beautiful.
Furthermore, during this time, mushrooms also begin to grow. Please enjoy the powerful scenery where various plants grow vigorously as it becomes warmer.
Also, in early July, fireflies fly around. The sight of firefly lights moving through Kenroku-en's beautiful natural environment is very fantastical.
Excellent Accessibility from Various Other Tourist Spots
Kanazawa is sometimes called a compact city, with excellent accessibility between tourist destinations. Since you're visiting Kanazawa, make it a luxurious trip filled with many memories by visiting multiple famous tourist spots in a single day.
<Recommended Tourist Spots Near Kenroku-en>
- Kanazawa Castle & Kanazawa Castle Park: Direct connection (less than 100m)
- Gyokusen-en Nishida Family Garden: 140m, 2-minute walk
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa: 180m, 3-minute walk
Author's Selection! Recommended Surrounding Tourist Destinations to Visit Along with Kenroku-en
Kanazawa Castle & Kanazawa Castle Park
Kanazawa Castle is a castle with nearly 500 years of history. Although Kanazawa Castle has suffered fire damage several times, you can enjoy buildings from very ancient times in their original form, including the "Ishikawa-mon Gate" rebuilt in 1788. Additionally, Kanazawa Castle is famous for its high level of reproduction accuracy, allowing you to enjoy castle-style buildings in an atmosphere similar to when the castle existed.
Moreover, around Kanazawa Castle, the vast Kanazawa Castle Park spreads out, where you can enjoy strolling surrounded by abundant nature. It's famous for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall, beloved by many people regardless of whether they're locals or tourists.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 7:00~18:00 (October 16 ~ End of February: 8:00~17:00)
※Operating hours may differ by facility, so please check the official website for details.
- Closed: Open year-round
- Phone Number: 076-234-3800
- Official Website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/e/
Gyokusen-en Nishida Family Garden
As you walk through Kanazawa Castle Park that we introduced earlier, you'll encounter a Japanese garden called Gyokusen-en Nishida Family Garden. Like the famous Kenroku-en, this garden also features a go-round style layout, but the special feature of this Japanese garden is that it centers around a pond. The recommended way to enjoy this Japanese garden is to feel the harmony between water and nature by walking around the pond and crossing small bridges to reach the floating islands in the pond.
When you visit here, you absolutely must visit the tea house called "Saisetsu-tei." Here, matcha and traditional Japanese sweets are served as a set, so please enjoy Japan's traditional treats while taking in the beautiful garden scenery. This tea house welcomes many visitors who don't know the proper etiquette, so even those without knowledge of tea ceremony customs can enjoy it with peace of mind.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 8-3 Kosho-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 9:00-17:00 (December: 10:00-16:00)
- Closed: Wednesdays
May have temporary closures
Closed for winter from December 25 to the end of February the following year
- Phone Number: 076-221-0181
- Official Website: A good place to visit for fresh greenery｜Kanazawa, Ishikawa - - Prefecture｜Gyokusen-en, the garden of the Nishida family
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Source:Wikipedia
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is a contemporary art museum where you can enjoy 4,168 works of art. You can enjoy various styles of artwork, from small pieces to large room installations.
The most appealing aspect of this museum is the freedom in how you can enjoy the artworks. This museum has almost no explanations or introductions for the works. Therefore, you can freely enjoy them with your own interpretation.
This also makes it ambiguous what constitutes an artwork, allowing you to find beauty in everything you see. I felt as though beauty was hidden in everything - the benches, elevators, and even the entrances to corridors - and during my time walking through the museum, everything I saw from beginning to end seemed to shine.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 10:00-18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), New Year period
- Phone Number: 070-220-2800
- Official Website: https://www.kanazawa21.jp/
Access to Kenroku-en
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 1-4 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 7:00-18:00 (October 16 end of February: 8:00-17:00)
- Closed: Open year-round
- Phone Number: 076-234-3800
- Official Website: Cultural property specification Garden special scenic spot | Kenrokuen
- Access:
Kanazawa Station (12 minutes by bus) → Kenroku-en-shita/Kanazawa-jo (5 minutes on foot) → Kanazawa Castle Park (Ishikawa Gate entrance)/Kenroku-en (Katsura-zaka entrance)
Kanazawa Station (10 minutes by bus) → Hirosaka/21st Century Museum (5 minutes on foot) → Kanazawa Castle Park (Gyokusen-inmaru entrance)/Kenroku-en (Mayumi-zaka entrance)
If You're Interested in Kanazawa's Traditional Streetscapes, Have Locals Guide You Through the Historic Streets!
The "Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour" is a 5-hour tour that takes you through Kanazawa's representative tourist destinations introduced in this article, including Omicho Market, the magnificent Kenroku-en Garden, and Higashi Chaya District, while experiencing the deep charm of Kanazawa.
The profound appeal of this tour lies in having local guides show you around the city. At tourist sites, they provide explanations that include local stories known only to residents, and they also take you to hidden gems like beautiful secret alleys that only locals know about.
This tour is strongly recommended for those who want to discover the charms of Kanazawa that aren't found in guidebooks.
<Detailed Information>
- Meeting Point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
- Tour Area: Kanazawa
- Start Time: 10:00
3 Selected Spots Around Kenroku-en Where Beautiful Traditional Streetscapes Remain
Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District is an area I strongly recommend to people who love Japan's historical landscapes. Here, about two-thirds of the 140 buildings within the district are traditional structures, and you can still enjoy the unchanged scenery that embodies the castle town of Kanazawa, just as visitors have done near the famous Kenroku-en garden.
Please walk through this town with the feeling of having traveled back in time.
This area has now become like a shopping district. Various shops line the streets, including stores selling Kanazawa's traditional crafts and shops where you can enjoy sweets, so please explore while peeking into the shops as well.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 1-chome Higashiyama, Kanazawa City
- Business hours and regular holidays: Varies by store
- Phone number: 070-251-6777
- Official website: https://chayagai.goldleaf-sakuda.jp/
Nishi Chaya District
Nishi Chaya District is also one of Kanazawa's representative tea house districts, perfect for visitors exploring the Kenroku-en area.
Compared to Higashi Chaya District, which attracts many tourists, this district is smaller in scale, but accordingly has fewer people and a more tranquil atmosphere. Additionally, the tea house culture (including Japan's traditional entertainment) remains more deeply rooted here.
For those who want to enjoy historical charm while walking leisurely, this tea house district is recommended.
Also, the Saisei Muro Memorial Museum is nearby, creating a literary atmosphere. Why not take a glimpse into the life of this great writer who was born in the city of Kanazawa?
<Detailed Information>
- Address: Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours, regular holidays, phone number: Varies by store
- Official website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10199.html
Kazue Machi Chaya District
Kazue Machi Chaya District is a tea house district where you can feel the atmosphere from its stone-paved alleys and wooden architecture, making it another wonderful complement to your Kenroku-en visit.
While this place is always attractive, its charm particularly stands out at night. Here, you can enjoy bridges that are illuminated at night and light reflecting on the water surface. The way light gently leaks from shop windows and how that light illuminates the stone pavement is also very charming.
There are many traditional restaurants here where you can enjoy Kanazawa's cuisine. Therefore, my most recommended way to enjoy this area is to come for a meal while enjoying the daytime tea house district atmosphere, and after eating your fill, enjoy the completely transformed atmosphere of the tea house district after dark.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours, regular holidays, phone number: Varies by store
- Official website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_52358.html
When You Come to Kanazawa, Also Savor the Local Exquisite Cuisine Together!
The "Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour" is a night tour where you eat your way through Kanazawa's gourmet food while visiting three restaurants. This tour is perfect for those who want to experience local flavors after spending the day exploring Kenroku-en and its surrounding traditional districts.
What I liked most about this tour was the first restaurant, where I enjoyed traditional Japanese cuisine made with Kanazawa's seasonal ingredients. Of course, the other two restaurants also offered very attractive meals, so if you want to eat all of Kanazawa's delicious food, please join this tour.
You can also do sake tastings, so it's recommended for people who like alcohol as well.
<Tour Details>
- Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg
- Tour area: Kanazawa
- Start time: 18:00