Japan Gardens Guide

The Three Great Gardens

Kenroku-en (Kanazawa): Most celebrated. 11 hectares, extraordinary in every season.

Koraku-en (Okayama): Edo-period landscape, cranes roam freely.

Kairaku-en (Mito): Famous for 3,000 plum trees in February–March.

Best Tokyo Gardens

Shinjuku Gyoen: Finest in Tokyo. 58.3 hectares. ¥500.

Rikugien: Traditional Edo garden, beautiful night illumination in spring and autumn.

Kyoto Gardens

Ryoan-ji rock garden: 15 stones in raked gravel. Japan’s most famous Zen garden.

Kokedera (Moss Temple): Extraordinary moss garden — book weeks ahead.