Stroll around Kanazawa Kenrokuen
#November Destinations 2025
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is one of Japan's three most famous gardens, located in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is a representative strolling garden with a pond and stream, dating back to the Edo period.
Its name originates from the "Record of Famous Gardens in Luoyang" by Li Gefei, a poet of the Song Dynasty in China, which describes the garden as possessing six qualities: grandeur, seclusion, human ingenuity, antiquity, water features, and panoramic views.
Visitor Information
Address: 1 Kenroku-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Opening Hours:
March 1st to October 15th: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
October 16th to the end of February of the following year: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Special Periods: Free admission and nighttime opening events are available during certain seasons (such as cherry blossom viewing in spring or illumination events in winter). Please refer to the official website for details.
Admission:
Adults (18 years and older): 320 yen.
Children (6-18 years old): 100 yen.
Group Ticket: Adults 250 yen, Children 80 yen (30 or more people).
Tour Duration: Most visitors allocate 1-1.5 hours; to fully appreciate all the sights, half a day or even longer may be needed.
Transportation:
Bus: Taking a bus from JR Kanazawa Station is the most convenient way. Get off at "Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle" or "Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art" stop, and it's about a 5-minute walk.
Sightseeing Bus: A sightseeing bus is available, offering a convenient option for exploring Kanazawa's attractions.
Walking: Kanazawa's attractions are concentrated, and walking from Kanazawa Station is also possible, but physical fitness should be considered.
Kenrokuen Must-See Attractions:
🤩Keijin Stone Lantern: The most representative feature of Kenrokuen, shaped like a harp's strings.
🤩Karazaki Pine: The most beautiful pine tree in the garden, famous for its "snow-hanging" branches that prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow in winter.
🤩Kasumi Pond: A large pond in the center of Kenrokuen Garden, offering beautiful scenery.
🤩Root-Up Pine: Its roots rise high above the ground, creating an impressive sight.
🤩Hanami Bridge: A place to view flowers blooming in different seasons.
🤩Shigure-tei: A teahouse located next to Hyō-ike Pond, a great place to relax.
Nearby Attractions
🤩Kanazawa Castle Park: Located next to Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden can be visited together.
Some areas of Kanazawa Castle are free to enter, while some facilities require an additional fee.
🤩21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa: A modern art museum that contrasts with Kenrokuen Garden, creating a blend of ancient and modern.
🤩Higashi Chaya-gai: A well-preserved traditional street area where you can experience the atmosphere of the Edo period.
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A Stroll
Highly Recommended
Red Brick Building
The Shiinoki Cultural Complex, located in the heart of Kanazawa, is a multi-functional cultural exchange facility that blends historical architectural style with modern design. Formerly the old Ishikawa Prefectural Government Building, it is a blend of historical architectural style and modern design.
Architectural Features and History
Historical Building: The main building was constructed in 1924 (Taisho 13). Its elegant red brick facade remains, bearing witness to the historical changes of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Modern Design: Facing Kanazawa Castle Park, the building features a modern all-glass curtain wall design, perfectly blending the "old and new" styles. Visitors can enjoy the nighttime illumination of the Kanazawa Castle stone walls from here.
Shiinoki Symbol: The name of the complex comes from two shii (Castanopsis) trees over 300 years old standing symmetrically in front of the building. They are a natural symbol of the facility and a nationally designated natural monument.
Main Facilities and Uses
The Guest House now serves as a cultural exchange center, offering various facilities for public use:
* Tourist Information Center: Provides tourist information for Kenrokuen Garden and the surrounding area (English service available).
Art Gallery and Landscape Hall: Can be used for exhibitions, events, conferences, or banquets.
Restaurant and Cafe: Features a restaurant and cafe, providing a place to relax.
Others: Preserves the entrance hall and central staircase of the former courthouse; visitors can even tour the building's earthquake-resistant structural features. The lawn plaza in the forecourt is also a place for citizens and tourists to relax.
Opening Hours and Access Information
* Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 - 22:00 (Information desk open 10:00 - 18:00).
Address: 〒920-0962 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Hirosaka, 2 Chome−1−1, Japan.
Access: Conveniently located between Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden.
Take a bus (such as the JR Kanazawa Station Bus) from JR Kanazawa Station to the "Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa-jo" stop to reach the surrounding area.