Cherry Blossoms in Kenrokuen Garden 2025: Best Times, Access, and Highlights

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Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is one of Japan's most scenic historical gardens. Each spring, over 400 cherry trees bloom beautifully inside the grounds. This article discusses the best time to see the cherry blossoms, details about the free entry, and recommended spots to enjoy them.

Written by

大石彩鳥

Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen Garden, located in Kanazawa City, is a designated cultural property and a popular spot visited by many people year-round.

During spring, many visitors come to Kenrokuen to admire the beautifully blooming cherry blossoms.

This article covers an overview of Kenrokuen, the best time to see the cherry blossoms, recommended photo spots, and information on free entry.

Kenrokuen Cherry Blossom Guide

1. Kenrokuen's Charming Scenery Throughout the Seasons
2. Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen
3. Photo Spots for Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen
4. Captivating Photo Spots of Cherry Blossoms Against Kanazawa Castle
5. Light-Up Events for Free Entry at Kenrokuen
6. Access to Kenrokuen

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Kenrokuen: A Garden with Beautiful Scenery Throughout the Seasons

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Kenrokuen is considered one of Japan's three famous gardens, along with Korakuen in Okayama and Kairakuen in Mito.

Located in the center of Kanazawa City, it attracts many citizens and tourists year-round.

Kenrokuen is based on the strolling-style garden layout, featuring hills shaped like mountains, ponds, and pavilions while incorporating various gardening techniques. This is no doubt a unique garden.

Developed by generations of Kaga domain lords, Kenrokuen reflects a consistent wish for prosperity.

Moreover, the charm of Kenrokuen lies in its ability to provide beautiful scenery through the four seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom; in autumn, the leaves change color; and in winter, snow transforms the landscape, each season showcasing its unique beauty.

Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen

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The best time to see the cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen is typically early April. However, this may vary slightly depending on weather conditions.

A variety of cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, Higan Sakura, Shiogama-zakura, Fugenzo, Ukon, and Yokihi, are planted, with more than 400 trees in total.

Among them, the most beautiful is said to be the Kenrokuen Kikuzakura. The Kenrokuen Kikuzakura is a rare variety of cherry blossoms with the most petals of any Japanese cherry tree. It was designated as a national natural monument in the early Showa era.

In early April, many people visit Kenrokuen to see them when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It can get very crowded on holidays. Therefore, those who want to avoid the crowds should visit early on weekdays.

Best Photo Spots for Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen

Next, we will introduce some recommended spots in Kenrokuen where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms. These spots are great for taking eye-catching photos, making them perfect for those active on social media.

The three spots introduced below are Hanami Bridge, Observation Deck, and "Tea House Street" (Chamise-dori). Let’s take a detailed look at each!

1. Hanami Bridge (Flower Viewing Bridge)

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The first recommended spot is Hanami Bridge.

Hanami Bridge is built over a small stream that flows within Kenrokuen. It earned the name "Flower Viewing Bridge" from the wonderful view of cherry blossoms from its location.

In addition to cherry blossoms, you can also enjoy iris and azalea flowers blooming here. Even after the cherry blossom season ends, you can appreciate the beauty of various flowers throughout all four seasons.

Moreover, the cherry blossoms bloom in a way that they appear to cascade over the bridge. It makes for beautiful photographs when taken from a slightly distant position that captures both the bridge and the blossoms nicely.

2. Observation Deck

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The second recommended spot is the Observation Deck.

Kenrokuen features an observation deck where visitors will be treated to a stunning view of the seasonal cherry blossoms.

From the observation deck, you can look down at the expansive view overlooking the city of Kanazawa while the blossoms are in full bloom. The cherry blossoms, the city, and the lush green mountains spread out in front of you, offering a charm that cannot be experienced at ground level.

To reach the Kenrokuen Observation Deck, enter through the Katsurazaka Gate and simply walk up the slope. You'll quickly find a wooden sign that reads Observation Deck, making it easy to locate.

3. Tea House Street (Chamise-dori)

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The third recommended spot is Tea House Street (Chamise-dori).

As the name suggests, this street is lined with tea houses and souvenir shops. You'll find it located between the Katsurazaka Gate and the Hasuike Gate.

This area is named after Tamahime, the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who moved to the Kaga domain (modern-day Ishikawa Prefecture) upon her marriage.

It is said that tea houses were permitted to operate the year after Kenrokuen was made publicly accessible in the 4th year of the Meiji era (1871). It is a street brimming with rich history.

Tea House Street is a luxurious spot to enjoy cherry blossoms while savoring familiar Japanese sweets like dango. The retro atmosphere combined with the cherry blossoms makes for excellent photo opportunities.

Captivating Photo Spots of Cherry Blossoms Against Kanazawa Castle

Photo by Pixta

One of the enjoyable ways to appreciate cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen is by viewing them with Kanazawa Castle in the background.

Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park are connected by Ishikawa Bridge, making it easy to head from Kenrokuen to Kanazawa Castle Park.

The landscape features the historic castle harmonizing with the elegantly blooming cherry blossoms in the backdrop, creating great photo opportunities.

Kanazawa Castle Park is home to a variety of cherry trees collected from across Japan. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each sakura variety during their peak bloom.

Free Entry and Light-Up Events at Kenrokuen

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Free entry and light-up events are held in conjunction with the blooming of cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen. The dates for these events are announced each year shortly after the cherry blossom forecast is announced in Kanazawa. This usually occurs around mid to late March, so be on the lookout!

Regarding free entry, the information for 2025 has not been released yet. However, free access was granted from April 5 to April 14, 2024. Please keep these dates as a reference for this year.

Opening hours are from 7 AM to 9:30 PM, with light-ups taking place from sunset until 9:30 PM.

It's a chance to enjoy the cherry blossoms that showcase a different ambiance at night, completely free of charge!

Access to Kenrokuen

When heading to Kenrokuen by public transportation, you will need to take both the train and bus.

Take a train to Kanazawa Station, and then transfer to a bus to get off at one of the following stops: Kenrokuen Garden - Kanazawa Castle Park, Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, or Korinbo.

From any of these stops, it will take about 5 to 7 minutes to walk to Kenrokuen.

If you prefer to avoid the bus, taking a taxi is also an option. After getting off the train at Kanazawa Station, it takes about 10 minutes by taxi to reach Kenrokuen.

If you’re driving, it takes about 30 minutes from either Kanazawa Nishi IC or Kanazawa Higashi IC, and approximately 20 minutes from Kanazawa Morimoto IC. Please note that parking is not free.

During the cherry blossom peak season, especially when free entry is available, it is expected to be crowded. Therefore, we recommend using public transportation whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen?

The best time to see cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen is typically early April. However, this may vary slightly depending on the weather conditions.

What are some rare varieties of cherry blossoms that can be seen at Kenrokuen?

At Kenrokuen, you can see a rare variety of cherry blossoms called "Kenrokuen Kiku Zakura." The best viewing time for this rare bloom is from late April to early May.

What is the entrance fee for Kenrokuen?

The entrance fee for Kenrokuen is 320 yen for adults and 100 yen for children. However, entry is free during the cherry blossom peak season.

What day of the week is recommended for visiting Kenrokuen?

Weekends during the cherry blossom peak season are expected to be very crowded, so weekdays are recommended. However, it can still be crowded on weekdays. If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting early in the morning on a weekday. The park opens at 7 AM.

Is it possible to walk to Kenrokuen from Kanazawa Station?

While it is possible to walk, it takes quite a long time. Since it takes over 10 minutes to get to Kenrokuen by bus or taxi from Kanazawa Station, some people might find walking tiring. When considering a round trip, it is recommended to use the bus or taxi.

Enjoy Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen with Free Entry

During spring, Kenrokuen is adorned with a variety of cherry blossoms, including the Somei Yoshino variety of cherry trees.

Not only can you enjoy Japan's most common cherry blossoms, but there is also the rare Kenrokuen Kiku Zakura variety that you can experience here.

Additionally, light-up events and free entry are held every year during the cherry blossom peak season. This is a wonderful event for those who want to easily enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Take advantage of the free entry to get closer to the cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen!

Kenrokuen

1 Kenrokucho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0936

Historical cultural heritage reflecting the culture of Kaga Hyakumangoku Kenrokuen is one of Japan's three most famous gardens, along with Mito Kairakuen and Okayama Korakuen. Kenrokuen has been built over a long period of time by the successive feudal lords of Kaga as a representative daimyo garden of the Edo period. Located in the center of Kanazawa City, it is popular with many residents of the prefecture and tourists from all over the world as a garden where you can enjoy the beauty of the four seasons.

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Written by

大石彩鳥

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