One of my favorite things to do in Japan is to wander through a traditional landscape garden. These gardens are designed to be beautiful in all 4 seasons, with small rolling hills, streams and ponds, flowers that bloom at different times of year, and abundant moss. Many also have a tea room where visitors can rest while enjoying the scenery.

Kenroku-en

Located in Kanazawa, Kenroku-en is a strolling garden, meant to be seen as you walk. The sprawling garden includes meandering paths which pass by ponds, tea houses, and hills. The garden was built during the Edo period as the garden for the feudal lords of the time.

To get an idea of how you can incorporate Kenroku-en and Kanazawa into your itinerary, check out this itinerary.

Visiting Kenroku-en

Summer hours: Open 7am-6pm Mar 1 through Oct 15

Winter hours: Open 8am-5pm Oct 15 through Feb 28

Entry is cash only, ¥320 for adults and ¥100 for children 6-17

Inside the garden, Shigure-tei tea house is open 9am-4:30pm for matcha and sweets. Expect a short wait for a space. For a full meal, Kenroku-tei offers a set lunch menu from 9:30am-4pm. Reservations are required, and can be booked online in English through TableCheck.

Koraku-en

Located in Okayama, Koraku-en was also built during the Edo period for the entertainment of the feudal lord. Koraku-en is unique in its more sprawling green lawns, as well as the Crane Aviary and Noh Stage (the stage is only open to the public on a few days each year). The garden did suffer some damage during WWII, but thanks to detailed records kept by the gardeners, the garden was able to be perfectly reconstructed.

Visiting Koraku-en

Summer hours: Open 7:30am-6pm Mar 20 through Sep 30

Winter hours: Open 8am-5pm Oct 1 through Mar 19

Entry (cash or credit) is ¥500 for adults and free for children under 15

There are numerous restaurants and tea houses inside the garden. The restaurant Hekisuien also offers paddle boat rentals on the Asahi River, with views of both the garden and Okayama Castle.

Kairaku-en

Located in Mito, Kairaku-en was created in the Edo period by the feudal lord, Nariaki Tokugawa. It was designed as a place for Tokugawa and his people to enjoy, and was originally 2 educational facilities that complemented each other: Kodokan for studying literature and martial arts, and Kairakuen for resting.

Visiting Kairaku-en

Summer hours: Open 6am-7pm mid-Feb through Sep 30

Winter hours: Open 7am-6pm Oct 1 through mid-Feb

Entry (cash or credit) is ¥320 for adults and ¥160 for children 6-15

On the grounds, visitors can enter Koubun-tei, the 2-story lord’s villa, which was reconstructed after WWII. Hours are 9am-5pm and entry is ¥230 adults, ¥120 children.