Kenrokuen Gardens Kanazawa

Amazing garden in Kanazawa Japan. We visited a few weeks ago on holiday, it is one of the absolutely most wonderful gardens i have ever seen. It has huge lakes and ponds of water that feed into one another and covers around 30 acres.

Kotojitoro Lantern built on the edge of a huge lake is quite unique due to being built on 2 legs rather than one as all other Japanese lanterns are built. It is over 2 meters tall and is a iconic symbol of the Garden complex.

Originally built as outer gardens for Kanazawa Catle they took nearly 200 years to construct.

Kenrokuen translated means 'Garden of the six Sublimities' referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and wide views. Amazingly the water is supplied from the cities river about 3 miles away using an incredibly advanced system that brings the water uphill and was built in the early 1600's. Hisagoike Pond has a small waterfall and the drop in elevation powers a fountain. When you think about the engineering involved it is astounding.

This huge pine named Karasaki was planted from a seed in the 1600s and hangs far out over the lake using bamboo stilts to suspend it. The stilts also serve as protection for the trees in winter when the weight of snow could snap the shaped branches.

There is a plum tree garden, Cherry Blossom garden and many bridges and sculptures as well. So many features over such a large area it is one of the top 3 gardens in Japan.


Many thanks for enjoying my trip to Kenrokuen Garden and please resteem, follow and upvote.