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Gyokuseninmaru Park: A Tranquil Escape in Kanazawa

Discover a peaceful Japanese garden within Kanazawa Castle Park, featuring scenic ponds, waterfalls, and historical elegance.

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Gyokuseninmaru Park, nestled within Kanazawa Castle Park, offers a serene retreat with its meticulously designed traditional Japanese garden. Reconstructed in 2015, it features a central pond, picturesque islands, and a captivating waterfall, providing a glimpse into the landscape preferences of Edo-era lords.

A brief summary to Gyokuseninmaru Park

Local tips

  • Visit during the evening illuminations on Fridays and Saturdays for a magical experience.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden for a full day of sightseeing.
  • Enjoy matcha and traditional sweets at the Gyokusen-an teahouse for a relaxing break.
  • Check the seasonal hours, as they vary between spring/summer and autumn/winter.
  • Take advantage of the free admission to explore this beautifully reconstructed garden.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Kanazawa Castle Park entrance, follow the signs leading to Gyokuseninmaru Park. The walk is short and pleasant, approximately 5 minutes. The garden entrance will be on your right, just past the Kanazawa Castle Park entrance. No costs are associated with this final approach.

  • Public Transport

    From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus towards Kenrokuen Garden & Kanazawa Castle. Get off at the 'Kanazawa Castle Park' bus stop, approximately a 15-minute ride. From the bus stop, walk towards the park entrance and follow the signs to Gyokuseninmaru Park, about a 5-minute walk. The one-way bus fare is ¥200. A day pass costs ¥500.

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Discover more about Gyokuseninmaru Park

Gyokuseninmaru Park is a meticulously restored Japanese garden located within the grounds of Kanazawa Castle Park. This 'Daimyo' garden, a term referring to gardens built by feudal lords, was originally constructed in 1634 by Toshitsune Maeda, the third lord of the Kaga Domain. The garden served as a private courtyard for the lord. Abandoned during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), it was lovingly reconstructed in 2015 based on extensive archaeological surveys and historical records. The garden's design showcases a central pond with three islands, connected by walking paths that allow visitors to fully appreciate the scenery. A notable feature is the stepped waterfall that flows from a creatively patterned stone wall. The height from the bottom of the pond to the top of the surrounding stone wall is 22 meters. The garden is named after Gyokusenin, the wife of the second lord of the Kaga domain. It is said that the garden was built over the former home of Nagahime, the wife of the second lord of Kanazawa, and daughter of Oda Nobunaga. After sunset on Fridays, Saturdays, and days before public holidays, the garden is illuminated with spectacular colors that change with the seasons. Visitors can also enjoy tea and traditional sweets at the Gyokusen-an teahouse, which overlooks the garden. From the teahouse, you can enjoy the garden from an elevated vantage point.

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