Attraction Guide: Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa, Japan

Kenrokuen Garden Guide

Kenrokuen Garden: One of Japan's Three Great Gardens Guide

Kenrokuen Garden, located in Kanazawa, is celebrated as one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan." This stunning landscape garden embodies the perfect blend of natural beauty and meticulous design, offering visitors a tranquil escape and a glimpse into traditional Japanese aesthetics. Its name, "Garden of the Six Sublimities," refers to the six essential attributes of a perfect garden: spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views. The history of Kenrokuen Garden dates back to the Edo period, beginning in 1676 when the Maeda clan, rulers of the Kaga Domain, started developing the garden on the grounds of Kanazawa Castle. Over the centuries, successive lords added to and refined the garden, incorporating elements of various garden styles and reflecting the changing tastes of the era. The garden was opened to the public in 1874 and has since become a beloved symbol of Kanazawa. Visitors to Kenrokuen can stroll along winding paths, admire meticulously manicured trees and shrubs, cross picturesque bridges, and relax by serene ponds. Highlights include the iconic Kotoji Lantern, a two-legged stone lantern that is a symbol of the garden, the Karasaki Pine, carefully supported by wooden props to protect it from heavy snow, and the Yugao-tei Teahouse, the oldest structure in the garden. In winter, the garden is transformed into a magical wonderland with snow-covered landscapes and yukitsuri (rope supports) protecting the trees from the weight of the snow.