Kenroku-en, whose name translates as 'garden of six attributes' (spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water and panoramas), was developed over two centuries by the Maeda clan and opened to the public in 1871. The 11.4-hectare landscape garden is particularly celebrated in winter for its yukitsuri — intricate rope-and-pole frameworks draped from trees to prevent snow damage, creating a hauntingly beautiful geometric lattice across the garden. Spring cherry blossoms, summer irises and autumn maples each bring fresh colour, making Kenroku-en worth visiting in any season. Free evening illuminations are held during cherry blossom and winter snow seasons.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Nature
- Season
- Year-round
- Month
- Year-round (winter illuminations: January–February)
- Region
- Chubu
- Prefecture
- Ishikawa
- City
- Kanazawa
Highlights
- ◆One of Japan's three officially designated 'great gardens'
- ◆Iconic winter yukitsuri rope-support frames on trees (November–March)
- ◆Free seasonal evening illuminations in spring and winter
- ◆12 springs-fed streams and two large ponds within the grounds
- ◆Adjacent to Kanazawa Castle Park and Higashi Chaya geisha district