What other travelers are saying about Kenrokuen Garden
Day or night this place is amazing. Totally iconic as a perfect Japanese garden. A large variety of trees, shrubbery, water features and picture perfect structures. It's also right next to Kanazawa castle which in its own right is amazing. The only thing I would change is the spotlights were too bright/the color temp was too high but still awesome when viewed at night. The park is free on certain nights during November/December.
This garden is famous and rightly so. It is gorgeous and very well maintained. Strolling along its paths you actually feel serene and it made me jealous 🤣 of the people who live in Kanazawa and can enjoy this beautiful place all the time. How delightful! I would recommend arriving right as the place opens (when I went it was at 8 am, even though it was showing 7 am when I had searched for it online). The first hour was particularly wonderful, as there weren't as many people. This is a 10 out of 10. I would recommend making this a double visit and going to the castle park next door. It makes for a wonderful morning!
Probably one of the world’s great gardens! Certainly in the top 20… & Japans no1.
This is my second visit to Kenroku-en, I saw it in April 2024, it was one of the pinch me moments of my life!
I wanted to see it again in Autumn, it is beautiful, but as a florist maybe the blossoms do tip the balance.
As a “Stroll garden” style, it is exquisite.
It’s all about trees, texture, balance, borrow views of the mountains beyond, antiquity, space, positive & negatives… “ma”, the buildings in the garden.’
It does have a regal understated elegance.
Best to come and see it as it opens, free of charge for the first 45mins.. at 7am in the winter, then you have it almost to yourself .. pay the crazy low price of 320¥ when it reopens at 8am .. stay until the tourists appear and leave!
If you can see it I the morning & afternoon/evening, you will have a different sense of it.
The upkeep by the gardening team is off the scale!
This time I saw the pine trees having their winter ropes arranged .. quite beyond!
I’m looking forward to the illumination evening!
Lovely Gardens in the heart in Kanazawa where you can are able to see the beautiful autumn folliage. It takes 15 minutes to get to Gardens. We enjoyed the spectacular views from the top. Its beautiful all around and am sure is a sight to see during spring too.
You have to buy a ticket (320 yens for an adult) at the machines by the entrance with touch screens (English available).
The garden is beautiful, but I wouldn’t consider it spectacular. It’s nice and it should be visited if you’re at Kanazawa and near the castle. I believe it could be even prettier had it a running water course (everything looked very dry) and some flowers.
Also, at some points, people gathered and queued to take photos, and you would think something amazing must be ahead of you, only to find that it’s a lake without anything particular to justify queuing for pictures 🤷🏻
Ironically, some parts of the garden, which offer more shade and lush greenery, are much emptier and are much more enjoyable, in my opinion.
Saw various toilets but haven’t tried any, and there are some places where you can eat (namely around the lake), but I preferred the places outside the garden.
Kenrokuen Garden began its development in the 17th century by the Maeda family, rulers of the Kaga Domain. It evolved over several generations, becoming open to the public in 1871.
Key features include the Kotojitoro Lantern, known for its two-legged design; Kasumigaike Pond, which reflects the surrounding trees and landscapes; and the iconic Karasaki Pine, shaped over many years.
Kenrokuen is beautiful year-round, but the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season are particularly stunning. Winter also offers a unique view with yukizuri (snow-hanging) structures that protect the trees from heavy snow.
Yes, guided tours are available, offering insights into the garden's history, design, and botanical features. Both group and private tours can be arranged.
The garden is partially accessible to visitors with disabilities, with some areas having paved paths and gentle slopes. However, some parts of the garden might be challenging due to natural terrain.
