A couple of hour’s journey from Kyoto and adjoining Kanazawa castle is one of Japans most remarkable gardens. Considered as one of the top three gardens in Japan, Kenroku gardens was originally built as a place of rest, meditation and worship for the most powerful shogunate family in this region of the 16th century, the Maeda family.

Kenroku means combining six features and these are vastness, solemnity, careful arrangement, venerability, coolness and scenic charm. The garden took around an incredible 250 years to build and at 28 acres is one of the biggest in Japan. It has two main ponds fed by the Saigawa river and the largest called the misty pond covers well over one acre of area. An unusual feature is the man made waterfall which at 6.5 metres high is one of the largest on record designed for a Japanese garden.

The tea pavilion that sits over the water’s edge is incredible and like all Japanese gardens this is a place to contemplate. Tea pavilions are where business meetings would be held. The tea is made from scratch and it is important to have good tea drinking etiquette.

This is a garden for all seasons. In spring, the garden is transformed into a pink heaven as the cheery blossoms reach full bloom. Japanese gardens are magical places to escape to for a peaceful and relaxing environment.

Nearby is another of Kanazawa’s attraction, the Kanazawa castle. The castle is beautiful and the architecture quite amazing. Surrounding it is a park like large garden that is a joy to experience in the autumn and spring with its many deciduous foliage and flower trees providing the unique experience of  deciduous tree beauty at their very best. Built for an influential Shogunate family in the 16th century, the castle has withstood the test of time and today is a major tourist attraction.

Kanazawa is a beautiful town with many attractions and it is advised to set aside a day or two to really take in the sights without rushing so you’ll be able to really enjoy what an incredible place Kanazawa is.