Kenroku-en Garden

Kenroku-en, beside Kanazawa Castle, is counted among the three great gardens of Japan. Paths wind between ponds, streams, mossy rises and old pines, and the Kotoji lantern — a stone lantern standing on two legs of different lengths by the Kasumigaike pond — is the garden's emblem.

It changes completely with the seasons: plum and cherry in spring, irises in early summer, maples in autumn, and in winter the yukitsuri — ropes fanned out from tall poles to hold up the pine branches under the snow — which are the picture most people come for.

Entry is paid, and the garden opens early in the morning — the best time, before the tour groups. Keep to the paths and off the moss.