Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen is a traditional Japanese-style garden in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The garden is said to have been first constructed in the mid-17th century in the outer bailey of Kanazawa Castle as a private garden for the lords of the Kaga Domain; it has been designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and it ranks alongside the Kairakuen garden in Mito and the Korakuen garden in Okayama as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” Kenrokuen is renowned for its beautiful vistas, which make effective use of how nature changes with the seasons. For example, a special feature of the garden during the winter months is the Yuki-tsuri (ropes attached in a conical array to protect tree branches in a garden during the winter); another seasonal feature is the red and white plum blossom in the plum grove. In 2009 the Kenrokuen garden was awarded three stars (the maximum possible) in the Michelin Green Guide. During the peak tourist season, there is free admission at certain times, and the garden also hosts various special events, such as having the garden illuminated at night, etc.