Kenrokuen Gardens

Approx. Time: 2 hours
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate

A well-planned garden, which is also one of the three great gardens of Japan. Begun as an annex to the castle's main garden in the early 1600's, the garden was extended and extensively landscaped by the fifth Lord Maeda in the 1670's, and an extensive system of streams, ponds and fountains was constructed shortly thereafter. Subtle remodeling up until the present has kept the garden's 11,800 trees (and uncountable shrubs) happy and healthy, and ensured the clarity and liveliness of the streams and ponds. Each rock has been carefully placed and subsequently earned a name according to its shape. Many trees have also come to be named, along with the bridges, waterfalls and just about everything! This is one garden that one can see in any season without disappointment. Even under heavy snow, the garden has a special charm, lanterns steadfastly bearing a heavy helmet of snow, the trees hanging in repose in their (surprisingly elegant) bamboo and straw-rope frames. In the vicinity is the Ishikawa gate of the Kanazawa castle, another tourist sight.

Courtesy of Japan Tourism Board.

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