Jack's Journey to Japan: Kenrokuen Garden

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Kenrokuen Garden

of 9 most visited
sights in Kanazawa

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Kenrokuen (兼六園) is justifiably classified as one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens" alongside Mito's Kairakuen and Okayama's Korakuen. Many people consider it the best of them all.
The spacious garden used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle. Constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period of nearly two centuries, it was not opened to the public until 1871.

Restaurants and shops just outside the garden Kenrokuen features various ponds, streams, waterfalls, bridges, teahouses, trees, stones and flowers. The water for the many streams and rivers of the park is diverted from a distant river by a sophisticated water system constructed in 1632.
The name Kenrokuen literally means "Garden of the Six Sublimities", referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views, which according to Chinese landscape theory are the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden.

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How to get there

Frequently departing Hokutetsu buses provide access from Kanazawa Station (East Exit bus stop number 3) to Kenrokuen in about 15 minutes and for 200 yen. Get off at Kenrokuen-shita bus stop, which is a short walk from the main entrance of Kenrokuen. Alternatively, there are 2-3 JR buses per hour from Kanazawa Station (East Exit bus stop number 4), which are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.Kenrokuen is also a stop along the tourist oriented Kanazawa Loop Bus andKenrokuen Shuttle Bus, which take approximately 20 minutes from Kanazawa Station to Kenrokuen.
How to get to and around Kanazawa

Hours and Fees

Hours:	Regular Hours: March 1 to October 15: 7:00 to 18:00 October 16 through February: 8:00 to 17:00 Early Admission Hours: From 5:00 (Apr to Aug from 4:00, Nov to Feb from 6:00) Early admission visitors must exit the garden 15 minutes before the regular opening.
Closed:	No closing days
Admission:	300 yen (free during early admission hours)