Kenroku-en Garden is located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. It was established between the 1620s and 1840s by the Maeda clan, who ruled the former Kaga Domain. The garden contains roughly 8,750 trees and some 183 species of plants in total. Among the garden’s points of particular interest are the oldest fountain in Japan, operating by natural water pressure and as seen above in the featured image; the Kotoji-tōrō, a two-legged stone lantern.

I was there last time in March, just as the clean-up began after the long winter months. Even though it was a cold, wet and windy day, the overcast weather did not diminish the enjoyment of visiting this beautiful garden. Most of the pine trees were still supported by yukitsuri. It is a Japanese technique for preserving trees and shrubs from heavy snow. Trees are given extra support by bamboo poles with ropes attached to limbs (see photos above); whereas, shrubs are often tied tightly around the circumference. Yukitsuri is a common sight in Kanazawa and Kenrokuen Garden during the winter months. I hope one day I get to visit this garden again in early fall to see all the beautiful colours or in the middle of winter when there is a lot of snow.

Thanks for visiting, come back for more in the future!