Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen (Z) in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens" alongside Mito's Kairakuen and Okayama's Korakuen. The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and were constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period of nearly two centuries. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees which provide the garden with a different look for each season.
The name Kenrokuen literally means "Garden of the six sublimities", referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views, which according to Chinese landscape theory are the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden. A stroll around Kenrokuen will help with understanding this landscape theory as the grounds are teeming with water features, bridges, teahouses, trees, flowers, stones, viewpoints and hidden nooks.
Water is diverted from a distant river by a sophisticated water system constructed in 1632 to feed Kenrokuen's various streams and ponds including the two main ponds in the garden, Kasumigaike and Hisagoike. The over two-meter tall Kotojitoro Lantern, uniquely built with two legs instead of one, stands at the northern bank of Kasumigaike Pond and is an iconic symbol of Kenrokuen. In addition, a fountain below Kasumigaike Pond is one of Japan's oldest, and is powered by the drop in elevation from the pond which causes water to shoot out 3.5 meters high. Meanwhile, nearby Hisagoike Pond features a small waterfall.
In spring, visitors can see plum blossoms in the southern end of the garden as they bloom around mid February to the end March, just before the cherry blossom season begins. Cherry trees, which usually bloom around Kenrokuen around mid April, can be found along the streams through the northeastern side of the garden. There are also other varieties of flowers that grow in the garden during the warmer summer months when visitors can expect to see a lot of greenery as well.
In autumn you can see fall colors, which are mainly provided by the cherry and maple trees and usually change colors from around mid November to early December. The orange and red maples are mostly found near Yamazakiyama on the garden's eastern side near the Kodatsuno Gate. In the same general area, visitors will find a large bronze statue of a legendary prince, called the Meiji Monument. The statue is dedicated to the soldiers who died in the Seinan War, a civil war that followed the Meiji Restoration.
While there is far less foliage in winter, freshly fallen snow gives the garden a different, attractive seasonal look. Many of the garden's large pine trees feature traditional winter protections to prevent damage by snow. Of special note is the Karasaki Pine, one of the garden's most prominent trees. Planted from seed, it now stands tall next to Kasumigaike Pond with some of its branches extending far over the pond's surface.
Some walking trails in the park lead to higher ground from where visitors can have an overview of the garden. There are also teahouses in the garden where visitors can drink tea and eat traditional Japanese sweets while looking at the scenery. Finally, a pleasant pedestrian way lined with cherry trees, shops and restaurants lies just outside of the garden's paid area, between the Katsurazaka and Renchimon gates. The street is a particularly beautiful rest spot in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Getting there and around
Kenrokuen is a stop along the tourist-oriented Kanazawa Loop Bus which departs from the station's east exit (aka Kenrokuen Exit). The one way ride from Kanazawa Station takes about 20 minutes and costs 210 yen.
Alternatively, frequent Hokutetsu buses run between Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen (15 minutes, 210 yen one way). Get off at Kenrokuen-shita bus stop, a short walk from the garden. Furthermore, there are 1-3 JR buses per hour from Kanazawa Station, which are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. All buses depart from Kanazawa Station's east exit (Kenrokuen Exit).
How to get to and around Kanazawa
Hours and Fees
Hours
7:00 to 18:00 (March to October 15)
8:00 to 17:00 (October 16 to February)
Early Admission Hours:
From 5:00 (April to August from 4:00, November to February from 6:00)
Early admission visitors must exit the garden before the start of regular hours
Closed
Admission
Included in the Kenrokuen Plus One Ticket
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
English
Japanese
Hotels around Kanazawa
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Hotel Resol Trinity KanazawaA chic hotel for tourists that incorporates Kanazawa's traditional art and culture into its design.View siteSponsored
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Guest House PongyiLocated in Kanazawa, 2.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden, Guest House Pongyi provides recently renovated accommodation with free WiFi and a terrace. It is set 2.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and offers a shared kitchen. The property is close to popular attractions like Kozen-ji Temple, Gankei-ji Temple and Senko-ji Temple. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a shared bathroom and a well-fitted kitchenette including a microwave, toaster, fridge and a stovetop. All units are equipped with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with river views. The units include bed linen. There is a coffee shop on-site. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Popular points of interest near Guest House Pongyi include Kanazawa Station, Fukunen-ji Temple and Hosho-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 31 km away.View on Booking.com
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Machi no OdoribaSet 2 km from Kanazawa Castle, Machi no Odoriba offers 3-star accommodation in Kanazawa and features a garden. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath, or enjoy garden views. The units come with air conditioning, an oven, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a terrace, a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Popular points of interest near Machi no Odoriba include Kanazawa Station, Saigen-ji Temple and Kokyo-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 32 km away.View on Booking.com
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YamanooFeaturing 3-star accommodation, Yamanoo is situated in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden and 2.9 km from Kanazawa Station. This ryokan provides free private parking, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property offers allergy-free units and is located 1.8 km from Kanazawa Castle. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km away.View on Booking.com
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Hotel Kanazawa ZoushiSet in Kanazawa and within 1.4 km of Kanazawa Castle, Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi has a shared lounge, allergy-free rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi all rooms have bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi include Kanazawa Station, Saifuku-ji Temple and Gankei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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SumiyoshiyaOffering free Wi-Fi and free-use bicycles and in-room Japanese meals, Sumiyoshiya is a traditional Japanese-style hotel. It features a garden, hot public baths and coin-operated laundry facilities. A free-use internet PC is available at the lobby. Rooms feature paper sliding doors, Japanese futon bedding and a seating area. All come with an LCD TV, a tea/coffee maker and a sink, and some have a private bathroom. Sumiyoshiya offers laundry services, luggage storage and free parking. A Japanese and a Western breakfast are served in the hotelfs dining room, while Japanese dinners featuring local ingredients can be enjoyed in either the guest room or the dining room. Sumiyoshiya is a 10-minute walk from Kenroku-en Garden, and a 15-minute walk from both JR Kanazawa Stationfs East exit and the historical Higashi Chaya-machi district. Omicho market is only a 1-minute walk.View on Booking.com
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Machiya Guest House CartaOffering a shared lounge and garden view, Machiya Guest House Carta is set in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and 1.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Featuring a garden, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the guest house, each unit is equipped with a tatami. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Myoryuji - Ninja Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum and Shofukaku Garden. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from Machiya Guest House Carta.View on Booking.com
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UTAIMACHIBoasting a hot tub, UTAIMACHI is set in Kanazawa. The 3-star ryokan has garden views and is 1.4 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Kanazawa Castle is 1.5 km away. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a coffee machine, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a stovetop and kitchenware. At the ryokan, units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel SuiteINOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite is located 600 metres from Kanazawa Station. Free WiFi is provided in all rooms. The property offers private parking. Featuring a balcony, all rooms have a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kitchen with an induction stove, a fridge and a microwave. Each room has a living room, toilet and private bathroom with a TV. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 29 km from INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite.View on Booking.com
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so, KANAZAWASo, KANAZAWA is situated in Kanazawa, within 3.1 km of Myoryuji - Ninja Temple and 100 metres of Shirahige Shrine. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. All units at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. At so, KANAZAWA each room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kanazawa Castle, Kanazawa Station and Gankei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from so, KANAZAWA.View on Booking.com
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Ryokan YamamuroLocated a 5-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station, Ryokan Yamamuro offers Japanese-style guestrooms with free WiFi. Omicho Market and Kanazawa Castle Park can both be reached with a 5-minute walk. Guests can stroll around the Higashi Chaya District, a historical entertainment district with various shops, located a 8-minute walk away from Yamamuro Ryokan. Kenrokuen Garden is 10-minutesf away on foot while the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a 15-minute walk away. Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is a 10-minute drive from the property. With heating and air-conditioning facilities, rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and feature Japanese futon bedding. One room comes with a private bathroom. Free services offered at the property include luggage storage, newspaper and daily maid services.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Kanazawa
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Kanazawa Kimono Kental by Kimono Rental Wargo Kanazawa Korinbo storeChange into a kimono and go sightseeing in Kanazawa!View on Klook
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Kinjo Onsen Motoyu Ticket in Ishikawa*Kinjo Onsen Motoyu is proud of its 100% free-flowing hot springs with large bathtubs and open-air baths.View on Klook
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VASARA Kimono and Yukata Rental in KanazawaEnjoy an immersive experience while visiting Kanazawa when you try on a stunning kimono or yukataView on Klook