Visit Japan Web Kenrokuen Garden
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Kenrokuen Garden. In 2020, Kenrokuen was officially recognized as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens,” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. The spacious grounds were once the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle. It was meticulously constructed by the ruling Maeda family over nearly two centuries. Since opening to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen has been celebrating its diverse array of flowering trees. It offers visitors a unique experience with each changing season.
The name Kenrokuen, which literally means “Garden of the six sublimities”, refers to concepts of spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views in Chinese landscape theory, which are considered essential attributes for a perfect garden. A walk around Kenrokuen provides an excellent understanding of this landscape theory.
In spring, the garden’s southern end features blooming plum blossoms from mid-February to the end of March, just before the cherry blossom season begins. Cherry trees, which typically bloom around mid-April, are along the streams in the northeastern side of the garden. There are also various other flower varieties that thrive during the warmer summer months. Visitors can enjoy a lush green landscape here.
During autumn, visitors can experience the vibrant fall colors. The cherry and maple trees typically change colors from mid-November to early December. The orange and red maples are predominantly located near Yamazakiyama on the eastern side of the garden. In this vicinity, visitors will also find a large bronze statue of a legendary prince, known as the Meiji Monument. It is dedicated to the soldiers who perished in the Seinan War.
Kenrokuen was one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens. Here at Visit Japan Web, you can get to know more about it!
