This article introduces Japan’s most famous Three Great Gardens: Kenroku-en, Koraku-en, and Kairaku-en. Since the late 19th century, these gardens have been collectively referred to as the "Three Great Gardens of Japan," although the origin of this name remains unclear.

Each garden symbolizes a unique aspect of natural beauty—"snow," "moon," and "flowers."

Kenroku-en Garden | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | 3 Greatest Gardens of Japan | Anywhere But Home

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Japanese gardens come in various styles. For example, the famous karesansui (dry landscape) gardens, such as Kyoto's Ryoan-ji, use sand and stones to represent rivers and waterfalls without water. In contrast, the Three Great Gardens follow the strolling pond garden style, developed during the Edo period (1603–1867). Centered around large ponds, these gardens encourage visitors to explore their features on foot, providing a dynamic and immersive experience.

Snow: Kenroku-en, famous for yukitsuri and stone lanterns

Located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kenroku-en is renowned for its snow-covered beauty in winter. Its signature feature is the yukitsuri—ropes tied in conical shapes around tree branches to prevent them from breaking under heavy snow. For sturdier trees, the ropes are tied to the trunk rather than support poles.

Another iconic feature of Kenroku-en is the Kotoji Stone Lantern, standing beside Kasumiga-ike Pond. Unlike traditional three-legged outdoor lanterns, this stone lantern has two legs, one submerged in water and the other on land, resembling the bridge of a Japanese koto instrument.

Beyond winter, Kenroku-en offers seasonal delights: around 200 plum trees bloom in spring, followed by 420 cherry trees. In autumn, the garden boasts 340 maple trees and 60 beech trees, with leaves turning vibrant red and yellow. Winding paths and waterways meander through the garden, breaking from the symmetrical designs of European gardens to mimic natural landscapes, creating an ever-changing scenery as visitors explore.

The garden’s waterways originate near the Kotoji Lantern and flow into Kasumiga-ike Pond, inspired by Taoist principles to symbolize eternal life. The pond's central island, Horai Island, is named after a mythical place where immortals reside. Water from the pond powers a 3.5-meter-high fountain, one of Japan’s oldest, driven by the difference in elevation between the pond and its surrounding areas.

Moon: Koraku-en, blending mountains, castles, and gardens

Koraku-en in Okayama, alongside Kenroku-en, has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide. Built on a river island near Okayama Castle, the garden offers stunning views from every angle. The Enyo-tei building, located near the entrance, was the residence of feudal lord Ikeda Tsunamasa, who designed the garden approximately 300 years ago. From Enyo-tei, visitors can take in panoramic views of the entire garden.

At the center of Koraku-en lies Sawano-ike Pond, featuring three islands: Nakajima, home to an island teahouse; Omino-shima, with a fishing pavilion; and Sazare-jima, adorned with white sand and green pines.

South of the pond stands Yuishinzan, an artificial hill planted with azaleas. To the east, cherry and plum trees bloom alongside seasonal flowers like irises and lotus. The forested Senyu-no-mori area contains around 100 maple trees that turn brilliant red in autumn.

Koraku-en incorporates a technique called shakkei (borrowed scenery), blending external elements like Okayama’s mountains and castle seamlessly into the garden’s design. During the annual moon-viewing festival, the full moon rises over the mountains, creating a magical spectacle. Despite its urban location, the garden’s unobstructed views preserve its serene atmosphere.

Flowers: Kairaku-en, showcasing plum blossoms, bamboo, and cedar

Kairaku-en in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, represents “flowers” and is particularly famous for its plum blossoms. The garden features a grove of 3,000 plum trees from 100 species, blooming spectacularly each March. Built by feudal lord Tokugawa Nariaki, the trees were initially planted to produce umeboshi (pickled plums) as a food reserve during famine.

The villa Kobuntei, designed by Nariaki himself, takes its name from the plum tree’s Japanese alias, kobun-moku. Unlike most feudal gardens, Kairaku-en was opened to the public for shared enjoyment. Nariaki’s design includes creative touches like an open wooden building with a spacious veranda to enhance visitor experience.

Unlike the other two gardens, Kairaku-en lacks a central pond, as it incorporates Lake Senba into its scenery using the shakkei technique. The garden’s layout reflects the balance of yin and yang: the dense bamboo and cedar forest in the western section represents "yin," while the bright plum grove in the eastern section embodies "yang."

Visitors entering from the eastern gate near the station quickly encounter the plum grove. Historically, however, the garden’s main entrance was at the front, leading through a dark pathway between bamboo and cedar groves. Upon reaching Kobuntei, visitors are greeted with panoramic views of Lake Senba and the open plum grove, showcasing the yin-yang harmony of the garden’s design.

Japanese Gardens: A Symphony Of Changing Scenery And Creative Design

As seen in these three iconic gardens, Japanese garden design uses paths, waterways, forests, and artificial hills to create expansive and dynamic landscapes. These elements provide ever-changing views, blending drama with creativity.

Why not visit these gardens and experience their peaceful yet vibrant atmospheres? Reconnect with nature and enjoy the unique charm of these meticulously crafted masterpieces.