Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is one of three most outstanding gardens in Japan. Kenrokuen Garden is located to the south-east of Kanazawa Castle. Kenrokuen Garden has more than 250 years of history.

The fourth MAEDA Clan, MAEDA Tsunanori, built his private second house with a garden in 1676. This was the origin of Kenronken Garden. Unfortunately, the house and the garden were damaged by fire in 1759. In 1774, MAEDA Harunaga re-built a garden and tea houses.

Kenrokuen Garden is located on a hill between the Asano River and the Sai River.
If you walk from Ishikawa-mon Gate of Kanazawa Castle, you will pass Hyakken-bori Dry Moat and you will arrive at Katsurasaka Gate of Kenrokuen Garden.

After passing through Katsurasaka Gate, the gentle ascent approach will lead you to Kasumiga-ike Pond. At the edge of the pond, a "Kotoji" shaped garden lantern is located, shown in the top picture of this page. The garden lantern is the symbol of Kenrokuen Garden.

Kasumiga-ike Pond is located at almost the center of Kenrokuen Garden. It is the largest pond in the garden. Pine trees and Uchibashi-tei Tea House are located along the pond. These features make the view of the pond very impressive.

The artificial meandering stream flows into Kasumiga-ike Pond. Water of the river comes from the Tatsumi Irrigation Channel built in 1632. An echelon shaped bridge (Flying Geese Bridge) with eleven stone plates was built over the stream.

To the west of Kasumiga-ike Pond, Hisago-ike Pond is located on flat land one level below Kasumiga-ike Pond. The tea house named "Yugao-tei" and Kaiseki Pagoda are located around the pond.

Yugao-tei Tea House was built in 1774. It was one of four original tea houses that MAEDA Harunaga built.
Regarding Kaiseki Pagoda, nobody knows how and why it was placed in Kenrokuen Garden. It is said to be brought from Korea in the late 16th century, or having been removed from Kanazawa Castle.

You will also see Midori-taki Waterfall behind Kaiseki Pagoda.

In front of "Yugao-tei" Tea House, a saucer is placed. This is a fossil plant of the palm family. This fossil saucer embodies in "wabi" and "sabi", which are the beauty to be found in poverty and simplicity.

The name of "Kenrokuen" Garden comes from the following six features as for an excellent landscape garden: "Spaciousness", "Seclusion", "Contrivance", "Antiquity", "Water-Courses" and "Panoramas"

How to get there
Take a Hokutetsu Bus on the sixth or seventh bus stop to the east side of Kanazawa Station. Or, take a Kanazawa Loop Bus or a Kenrokuen Shuttle Bus. You can get off the bus at the Kenrokuenshita bus stop.

Official English Website:
http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/
kenrokuen/e/index.html

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ruins of Kanazawa Castle
Higashi Chaya District
Kazuemachi Chaya District
Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District