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One of only six Gyokkan-style stroll gardens centered around a pond in Japan, built in the mid-Edo period.
This stroll garden centered around a pond is located just a short walk from Kenrokuen Garden, a popular tourist attraction and one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Built in the mid-Edo period, it predates the completion of Kenrokuen Garden by approximately 120 years.
Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by Ishikawa Prefecture, the garden took approximately 100 years to complete, from Wakita Naokata, the first-generation head of a high-ranking samurai family serving the Kaga Domain, to the fourth-generation Kyubei.
Consisting of the main, west, and east gardens, the grounds were inspired by a landscape painting by Gyokkan, a painter-monk from China’s Southern Song dynasty. It is one of only six gardens in Japan designed in what is known as the Gyokkan style. The grounds are home to a Korean pine over 400 years old, Chinese trumpet creeper, and other plants, providing pleasant scenery for a leisurely stroll.
At the highest point of the garden stands Saisetsu-tei, the oldest teahouse in Kanazawa. Visitors can savor matcha and traditional Japanese sweets while overlooking the garden for ¥1,500, including admission. A tea ceremony experience is also available for ¥3,000, including admission, with reservations required at least three days in advance.
The main garden covered in lush greenery in spring
The garden filled with fiery red foliage in autumn
A crypto-Christian lantern with an image of the Virgin Mary carved into the lower part of its shaft
Saisetsu-tei, characterized by its simple design reflecting the spirit of wabi-cha tea culture
Staff members provide guidance, making the experience accessible even to beginners
