Kenroku-en

What it is

Kenroku-en in Kanazawa was made over many generations by the Maeda lords who ruled the region, and it is counted among the three great gardens of Japan. It is a strolling garden: paths wind around ponds, streams, teahouses and carefully shaped pines. Flowers mark the calendar. Plum blossom opens in a dedicated grove at the end of winter, cherry follows in April, then azaleas, and in May purple irises line the winding stream. In winter the gardeners tie ropes in a cone above each pine to protect the branches from heavy snow, a sight as well known as any bloom.

Before you go

• Enter early to see the garden before tour groups arrive.
• Allow ninety minutes, and combine it with the castle park next door.
• Winter visits are worthwhile for the snow ropes alone.

The flowers you will see

Prunus mumeThe fragrant plum blossom tree that blooms in winter across East AsiaCherry blossomThe spring-blooming flower of ornamental cherry trees, central to Japan’s hanami customAzaleaShade-loving flowering shrubs with spring blooms and thousands of cultivated forms

Also part of it, and being written: Iris laevigata.

More in Japan

🇯🇵 Tokyo · Mar to AprCherry blossom season in TokyoAbout a week of pale pink along moats, rivers and parks, and the picnics that go with it. 🇯🇵 Tokyo · Feb to NovShinjuku Gyoen through the seasonsA large former imperial garden in central Tokyo with a long cherry season and an autumn chrysanthemum show. 🇯🇵 Kyoto · Mar to AprPhilosopher's Path in cherry seasonA canal-side walk of about two kilometres in eastern Kyoto, lined with cherry trees. 🇯🇵 Hirosaki · Apr to MayHirosaki Castle cherry blossomA northern castle park with thousands of cherry trees and moats that turn pink with fallen petals. 🇯🇵 Hitachinaka · Apr to OctNemophila hill at Hitachi Seaside ParkA hill by the Pacific covered in small sky-blue flowers in spring and red kochia bushes in autumn. 🇯🇵 Ashikaga · Apr to MayWisteria at Ashikaga Flower ParkVast old wisteria vines trained over trellises, with flower trails hanging to head height.