The cherry trees are in full bloom here in Kanazawa – what an awe inspiring sight. Everywhere you go the blossoms add accent to the gardens. The first garden we visited is Kenrokuen Garden.

The Cherry trees cover the paths and the wind carries the petals as if they were snow.

The Japanese garden is beautiful because it is simple. There are only 12 basic plants used in the garden plus a few more for accents. The 12 are in order of occurrence: Maples, Pines, Cherries, Bamboo, Azaleas, Camellias, Moss, Mondo Grass, Lily of the Valley Shrub, Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Iris

Here are some moss photos:

Here is Mondo grass:

The problem is that Mondo Grass can invade the Moss and then it requires extensive hand weeding. Evidently they don’t want to use chemicals.

The lanterns are beautiful accents to the garden; some are as old as the 400 year old garden.

A large number of azaleas are used as pillow like hedges. If they weren’t pruned too late the previous year they will bloom in late April.

The water features in the garden bring in movement and pleasant noise that go along with the birds and the breeze.

The name Kenrokuen comes from the 6 attributes of a perfect garden: Spaciousness, Seclusion, Artifice, Antiquity, Watercourses and Panoramas. “Ken” means combined; “Roku means 6 and “en” means garden.

Kanazawa Castle Park

This castle is just across the road from the Kenrokuen Garden. It was built in 1580 and then destroyed by fire in 1759. The castle was restored and used as an army base until 1945.

These are three pictures of the front of the castle showing the tall walls and moat.

This is the back of the castle.

Gyokuseninmaru Garden

(Behind Kanazawa Castle)

This Garden was originally built in the 19th century and neglected and allowed to go to ruin. It was rebuilt in 2015. The garden is young now but it would be interesting to take these pictures 20 years from now.