Kenroku-en: A Garden Where Six Forms of Beauty Unite

Kenroku-en Garden

(Kanazawa City, Ishikawa)

【Kenroku-en（後楽園）】is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens and stretches out beside Kanazawa Castle. It was created by the Maeda family, powerful feudal lords who ruled a vast domain second only to the shogunate, as a reflection of their authority and refined aesthetic sense. The name “Kenroku,” meaning “combining six,” comes from the six qualities that an ideal garden should possess—spaciousness, solemnity, antiquity, ingenuity, water features, and scenic views—all of which this garden embodies. As you walk through it, a variety of landscapes unfold one after another.

Designed as a strolling garden centered around a large pond, Kenrokuen invites visitors to wander along its paths while taking in ever‑changing scenery. The trunks of the trees and the ground beneath them are covered with deep green moss, quietly telling the story of the garden’s long history. As you move through the garden, the view opens and closes in gentle rhythms, ensuring that visitors never tire of the experience.

Along the edge of the pond stands Kenrokuen’s iconic Kotoji Lantern. Unlike typical stone lanterns supported by a single thick pillar, this one rests on two slender legs. Its distinctive shape is said to resemble the kotoji, the bridge that supports the strings of a traditional Japanese koto instrument, which is how it earned its name. Originally, both legs were the same length, but one broke long ago, and the lantern now balances gracefully with one leg resting on a stone. Its slim and elegant form harmonizes beautifully with the quiet waterside setting, enhancing the garden’s refined atmosphere.

The scenery of Kenrokuen can be enjoyed throughout the year. In spring, the garden is tinted with the soft pink of cherry blossoms; in summer, vibrant green foliage fills the landscape with energy; and in autumn, the leaves turn vivid shades of red. Yet many say the garden is at its most beautiful in winter, when everything is blanketed in pure white. Although the trees appear dormant, the snow that settles on their branches creates a breathtaking scene. The conical silhouettes of the ropes used for yukitsuri—a technique to protect the trees from heavy snow—add a distinctive charm to the winter landscape.

Within the garden grounds stands the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts, which showcases works born from the Maeda family’s long tradition of cultural patronage. From textiles, metalwork, and ceramics crafted with time‑honored techniques to pieces that convey a modern sense of refinement, the museum offers a space that stimulates the aesthetic senses. Each work, while rooted in traditional Japanese design, displays a sophisticated presence through its use of deep black, vivid red, and brilliant gold.

Please visit the official Kenroku-en website.