Kenrokuen Garden turns pink in spring

Spring in Kenrokuen is when the garden is dyed pink everywhere. The vast garden is filled with 400 cherry trees of about 40 varieties, mainly Somei-Yoshino, in full bloom. Another attraction is that you can enjoy rare varieties unique to Kenrokuen, such as Kenrokuen Kikuzakura and Kenrokuen Kumagaya. In addition, when the cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen are in full bloom, admission is free for about a week, offering a kind welcome to tourists.

The Hanami Bridge, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom along with the meandering stream, is the best viewing spot in the park. The harmony with the gently flowing meandering stream is very picturesque. We also recommend the view from the Kanazawa Observatory, where you can enjoy the pink carpet of cherry blossoms.

The free "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Cherry Blossom Viewing Season Illumination" is a hugely popular event that requires long queues every day to attend, and is held in time with the cherry blossoms. The area around Hanamibashi Bridge is lit up with green lights, creating a mystical atmosphere in which you can enjoy the dignified and beautifully blooming cherry blossoms. The view of the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the Hisagoike Pond is also spectacular.

Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden illuminated during cherry blossom viewing season
Period: Wednesday, April 2nd to Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, 7:00-21:30 *Illumination will be from sunset to 21:30

▼Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Illumination "Spring Stage"
Period: April 26th (Sat) - 27th (Sun), 2025, May 3rd (Friday/Holiday) - May 5th (Monday/Holiday)
https://kenrokuen.or.jp/illumination/

Kenrokuen in the summer, where you can enjoy fireflies and illuminations

In early summer, azaleas and Japanese irises bloom, creating a contrast with the lush greenery of the new leaves. The 40,000 Japanese irises blooming along the meandering stream are at their best in early June, making for a spectacular sight.

In the summer, you can enjoy the free illuminations in two periods: "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Illumination 'Early Summer Stage'" and "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Illumination 'Summer Stage'." During the period, a "light-up concert" will be held and music by the "Orchestral Ensemble Kanazawa" will be played as background music, allowing you to enjoy the sights with all five senses.

The Firefly Viewing Event, held every year around early July, is a popular event where Kenrokuen is open to the public at night for free and you can enjoy the fantastic lights of the fireflies. Kenrokuen is filled with greenery and the clean water of the Tatsumi Irrigation Channel flows through it, so even though it is in the city, you can see Genji and Heike fireflies. There are also guided tours by the Kanazawa Firefly Association, so you can enjoy the time you spend relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere while cooling off in the evening.

▼Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Illumination "Early Summer"
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025

▼ Firefly viewing event at Kenrokuen
Timing: June 27th (Friday) to 28th (Saturday), July 4th (Friday) to 5th (Saturday), 2025

▼Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Illumination "Summer Stage"
Timing: August 9th (Sat) - 10th (Sun), 16th (Sat), 23rd (Sat), 30th (Sat), 2025
https://kenrokuen.or.jp/illumination/

Kenrokuen in autumn, where you can enjoy a colorful world

In October, the trees start to change color little by little, and Kenrokuen transitions into the season of autumn leaves. The best time to see the autumn leaves is usually in early November. There are about 300 maple trees planted, and the garden is beautifully colored in vibrant reds and yellows, making it breathtakingly beautiful.

Yamazakiyama, which is home to many deciduous trees such as maples and zelkova trees, is known for its gorgeous autumn foliage and is nicknamed "Autumn Leaves Mountain." It is the best spot to see autumn leaves in Kenrokuen.

When the autumn leaves are at their best, Kenrokuen is open to the public for free at night for a limited time. The "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Illumination 'Autumn Stage'" event will be held, allowing you to enjoy the illuminated autumn leaves. From November 1st, "yukitsuri" (snow hanging) will be installed to prevent branches from breaking due to the weight of snow, so you can enjoy the contrast between the snow hanging and the autumn leaves.

Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Illumination "Autumn Stage"
Timing: October 18th (Saturday), 25th (Saturday), November 1st (Saturday) - 2nd (Sunday), 8th (Saturday), 15th (Saturday), 22nd (Saturday) - 23rd (Sunday), 29th (Saturday), 2025
https://kenrokuen.or.jp/illumination/

Be enchanted by the snow hangings, a seasonal feature of winter in Kenrokuen

"Yukitsuri" is synonymous with winter in Kenrokuen. The ropes stretched radially from the tops of the trees are a work of art. Seeing the yukitsuri on the trees in the garden makes you feel the arrival of winter, and the scenery unique to snowy countries makes your heart flutter. Among them, the Karasaki Pine tree on the bank of Kasumigaike Pond has an outstanding presence. It is surprising that about 800 ropes are used to hang the yukitsuri on Karasaki Pine.

Yukitsuri is even more picturesque when combined with a blanket of snow. Kanazawa gets snow from December to February, but in recent years the amount of snow has decreased due to warm winters. Pure white snow scenery tends to be rare, so be sure to enjoy the view on snowy days.

During the New Year holidays from December 31st to January 3rd, Kenrokuen is open to the public free of charge. Although it is not lit up, it is open at night on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, so it is nice that it is open until the morning. During the "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Illumination 'Winter Stage'" held around mid-February, you can enjoy the illuminations for free.

▼Free opening during the New Year period
Period: December 31st - January 3rd 8:00 - 17:00
*Open all night from December 31st to January 1st at 8:00

Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Illumination "Winter Stage"
Timing: February 7th (Saturday), 14th (Saturday), 21st (Saturday), 28th (Saturday), 2026
https://kenrokuen.or.jp/illumination/