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.
Kenroku-en and Kyoto garden tours are bookable on Klook.