A Tour of Japan’s Most Luscious Gardens

Kenroku-en, 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. Photo by Dino Johannes on Unsplash

Japan is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful gardens in the world. The country has its own gardening traditions that reflect traditional philosophy and stretches back to ancient times.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Japanese gardens for the curious tourist.

Kenroku-en (Kanazawa)

This natural landscape garden features tea houses and pavilions that sit among ponds, hills, and streams. The garden seeks to combine six characteristics: serenity, scenic views, wisdom, respect, spaciousness, and coolness.

Koraku-en (Okayama)

Constructed over the course of about three hundred years, this garden is named after the famous political teaching of Confucius.

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Kairaku-en (Mito)

This garden is famous the world over for its over 3000 plum trees that bloom early in the spring. Every year the garden hosts a nature festival and is called “a garden to enjoy with others”.

Kokedera (Kyoto)

Known as the Moss Temple, this World Heritage Site garden is home to 120 kinds of moss. It became a Buddhist temple nearly 1000 years ago. reservations will need to be made in advance.

Ryoan-ji Temple (Kyoto)

Becoming a Zen temple in 1450, this garden is home to the most famous rock garden in Japan. Several different interpretations have been offered of its meaning, from miniature islands to the concept of infinity.