Kenroku-en, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan

Kenroku-en is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, along with Koraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito. Its name, which means "garden of the six attributes", refers to the six qualities a perfect garden must possess according to classical Chinese aesthetics: spaciousness, tranquillity, artifice, antiquity, abundance of water and broad views. The garden was built over the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries by the successive lords of the Maeda clan and opened to the public in 1874. Its 11,7 hectares include ponds, waterfalls, tea pavilions, centuries-old trees braced with straw ropes (yukitsuri) to protect them from winter snow, and the oldest garden fountain in Japan. The two-legged lantern over the Kasumiga-ike pond is the photographic symbol of Kanazawa. Admission costs 320 ¥ for adults (free from October to February before 8:00). Hours: 7:00-18:00 (15 Oct-15 Mar: 8:00-17:00). Combine the visit with the adjacent Kanazawa Castle.