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Kenrokuen Garden

Name: Kenrokuen Garden
Address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
Rating: 4.4

4.4 (200)・Garden・Tourist Attraction・Park・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is a living symbol of the Edo period's elegance and ingenuity, often ranked among Japan's three great gardens. Its name, "Kenrokuen," translates to "Garden of the Six Sublimities," reflecting the ideal landscape characteristics: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas. This philosophy has guided its design, making it a stunning example of traditional Japanese garden art.

Established in the 17th century as part of the Kanazawa Castle estate, Kenrokuen was opened to the public in 1874. The garden spans approximately 11.4 hectares, creating a lush, expansive space where visitors can lose themselves in natural beauty. The design cleverly uses hills and water sources from nearby rivers to create a varied landscape that includes ponds, streams, waterfalls, and carefully placed bridges.

One of the garden's most photographed features is the Kotojitoro Lantern, set beside the Kasumigaike Pond. Another highlight is the Karasaki Pine, shaped over the years to stretch out elegantly over the landscape. Throughout the year, Kenrokuen changes its appearance, from the snowy, quiet winter scenes to the vibrant burst of cherry blossoms in spring, making every visit a unique experience.

Hours:

7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

320 yen (free during early admission hours)

Phone

+81 76-234-3800

Website

www.pref.ishikawa.jp

The area

Address

1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan

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What other travelers are saying about Kenrokuen Garden

Came here in the winter on 12/25/2024. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing all of the unique foliage and arrangements they did for the Garden. Using the map to see the major 13 highlights was pretty interesting. Even though the winter did not have any of the special foliage such as cherry blossoms or fall leaves, the garden was still very impressive. I would definitely come again another season to see how it would change.

Curtis Chan

Dec 25, 2024

Today, visiting this beautiful garden felt like stepping into a snowy winter fairy tale 🤍. When it gets cold, there are cozy spots to rest and warm up. The garden also features charming tea houses where you can relax. I'm sure this garden is uniquely beautiful in all four seasons! We absolutely loved it!

Elif Burgaz

Dec 28, 2024

We went later in the afternoon and the light was amazing. We still had to pay a full admission fee even though we only had an hour before the gardens closed, but we didn’t mind as we knew it went towards the up keep of these beautiful grounds. The crowds had thinned right out, providing us several opportunities to take pics without others in the frame. The terrain is easy enough, although there are a few steps. The autumnal colours were truly a sight to behold. Highly recommended.

John ED

Dec 2, 2024

Very picturesque garden. Very well maintained. I went twice during my visit (partially due to the rain), but thoroughly enjoyed wandering around and taking in the sights. 320 yen entry or 500 yen with joint ticket to the castle. Well worth it

Jesse Taylor

Dec 2, 2024

Fabulous large garden with amazing trees and hedges groomed to perfection. You can easily spend hours walking around, or enjoy zen contemplating. It's free to visit if you are over 65 with a passport to prove it. Same for the castle visit. This is one of the 3 best,most beautiful gardens in Japan, don't miss it!