In this article, we will talk about the 3 great Gardens of Japan known as Nihon Sanmeien [日本三名園]. The 3 gardens called kenrokuen, korakuen, and kairakuen are located in distant places but are connected.
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Why the 3 great Gardens of Japan?
Are these really the 3 best, largest, or most popular Japanese gardens? Why are kenrokuen, korakuen, and kairakuen grouped together as a set of 3 great gardens of Japan? Is there any reason behind all this?
In reality, they are all completely different gardens, built by different people and for different purposes, but were grouped by the Japanese for being large in both scale and traditional aspects of a Japanese garden.
The Japanese have a custom of grouping famous things in sets of 3. For example, the 3 largest temples, the 3 largest onsens, the 3 greatest views, the 3 biggest festivals, and so on. It does not mean that these 3 great gardens are the largest in Japan or the most visited.
The three famous gardens express the setsugekka [雪月花] which literally means snow, moon, and flowers, considered the three most beautiful aspects of nature throughout various seasons of the year.
It is believed that the Kenrokuen Garden symbolizes snow, as it is quite beautiful during winter. The Korakuen Garden is best seen during autumn symbolizing the moon. The Kairakuen Garden symbolizes flowers with its more than 3,000 plum blossoms.
The Famous Kenrokuen Garden – Kanazawa
The Kenrokuen Japanese Garden [兼六園] is one of the most popular and touristy gardens in all of Japan, located in Kanazawa province, it is one of the most sought after by tourists from all over the world.
Kenroku-en was developed between 1620 and 1840 by the Maeda Clan that ruled Kanazawa, at the time called the Kaga Domain. The name kenrokuen [兼六園] literally means “Garden of the 6 attributes”, a name given by Matsudaira Sadanobu at the request of Narinaga.
The 6 attributes of the Kenrokuen Garden are spaciousness, serenity, venerability, panoramic views, subtle design, and coolness. These are essential attributes for creating an ideal Japanese garden.
It was established in 1676 and is currently considered one of the most beautiful and oldest gardens in the country. Initially, it was created for the entertainment of nobles and their visitors, and was commonly used by successive feudal lords.
It was open to the public only on special dates, but has been definitively open to the public since 1871. What should be highlighted in this garden is the harmony and balance that exists between what was built by human hands and nature.
Information about Kenrokuen Garden
The garden is located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle and covers about 114,436.65 m² (more than 25 acres). The Garden has more than 8,750 trees, 183 different species of plants that surround picturesque hills, streams, lakes, rocks, paths between bridges, and tea houses.
Outside the Kenrokuen Garden, you will also find a cherry blossom promenade, restaurants, and shops. This is a complete and amazing tourist walk where you can see both a beautiful garden and visit the Kanazawa city castle.
In Kenrokuen, you will find the oldest fountain in Japan, operated by natural water pressure. A Pagoda Kaiseki donated to Maeda by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The flying goose bridge, made of eleven red stones, and much more.
Another great advantage is that the Garden can provide a good experience at any time of the year. In Kenrokuen, you can also find the famous gold leaf ice cream, which costs about ¥ 1,000.
Korakuen Garden in Okayama
The Korakuen Garden is ideal for representing the beauty of autumn. It is located north of Okayama Castle and was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, incorporating the surrounding hills of the castle.
Korakuen [後楽園] means garden of “pleasure only after” referring to a Confucian saying that a wise ruler must first attend to the needs of his subjects, and only afterwards [後] consider his own interests and pleasures [楽].
The garden was designed in the Kaiyu style which simulates a panoramic walk, presenting a beautiful view at every step surrounded by lawns, lakes, hills, tea houses, and many trees and plants. The Garden is located on the banks of the Aashi River and covers about 133,000 square meters.
The experience brings a sense of peace and tranquility to those who spend some time walking in this garden. The Garden is surrounded by water and incorporates an internal pond with an artificial flow of 650 meters.
The Garden is huge and offers stunning views with azalea plants, rhododendrons, as well as red and white flowers like lotus. Its maple trees are beautiful in spring, but in autumn the landscape is breathtaking, with views surrounded by red leaves among thousands of paths and bridges.
Kairakuen Garden in Mito, Ibaraki
The Kairakuen Garden [偕楽園] was made to be enjoyed together, this is the meaning of its name. It was built by Tokugawa Nariaki in 1841. Unlike the other gardens in the article, it was created with the purpose of being open to the public, hence the name Kairakuen.
This garden is very important because it served as a model for other private gardens to be opened to the public, living up to its name and allowing many people to enjoy the gardens together.
The Kairakuen Garden is famous for its more than 3,000 plum trees representing the spirit and colors of spring. There are more than 100 species of plum (ume) in a total of 13 hectares. Kairakuen is more of a park than a garden.
The Kairakuen Garden is located on a hill in the city of Mito, its trees provide a white, pink, and red coloring all around. The garden also has an artificial lake called Lake Senba, filled with koi and swans.
The best time to visit Kairakuen Garden is during the plum season which occurs in spring between late February and April. You can also enjoy azaleas, cosmos, cedar wood, and a bamboo grove, as well as traditional buildings.
What do you think about visiting the 3 great gardens?
Of course, the 3 gardens mentioned in the article are not the most important, popular, or famous in Japan. In any city, you can enjoy various colorful landscapes, take beautiful photos, and relax in numerous gardens.
When visiting some of the 3 cities mentioned in the article, think about visiting the castles and their surrounding gardens. Kenrokuen is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots mentioned in this article, and it can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
What did you think of the 3 great Japanese gardens? Have you had the chance to visit any of them? What are your favorite Japanese gardens? If you liked the article, don’t forget to share and leave your comments.
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