Kenroku-en Garden Autumn Leaves 2026
Last updated: July 28, 2026. Typical viewing times and details below are compiled from official park, temple, city and tourism-association websites (linked at the end of this page). The dates of annual night light-ups are set each year — check the official site before you travel.
One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, this expansive Edo-period strolling garden built by the Kaga clan lords sets crimson maples and golden trees against ponds, stone lanterns and meticulously trained pines.
Key Facts
| Typical peak | Mid-November |
|---|---|
| Best months | November |
| Location | Kanazawa, Ishikawa |
| Nearest station | JR Kanazawa Station (then a 10-15 minute bus ride to Kenrokuen-shita bus stop) |
| Admission | Adults 320 yen; children (ages 6-17) 100 yen; free for those aged 65 and over (with proof) - official Kenroku-en garden entry fee. |
| Night light-up | During the seasonal 'Kanazawa Castle & Kenroku-en Shiki Monogatari - Autumn' light-up, the garden opens free of charge in the evening, typically around 18:00-20:45 (garden closes 21:00). (exact 2026 dates set each year — confirm on the official site) |
| Official site | https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10106.html |
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Highlights
- Maples reflected in Kasumigaike Pond beside the iconic Kotoji-toro stone lantern
- The Yamazaki-yama wooded area, where the garden's autumn colour is most concentrated
- Contrast of vivid foliage with the garden's classic pines and winding water features
Where to See the Autumn Leaves
Kasumigaike Pond and Kotoji-toro Lantern (Paid)
The garden's most photographed spot, where autumn maples and the two-legged stone lantern mirror in the pond's surface.
Central to the garden, a few minutes' walk from the Kenrokuen-shita entrance.
Yamazaki-yama Area (Paid)
A gently wooded rise in the garden's southeast corner regarded as the finest concentration of autumn colour inside Kenroku-en.
In the garden's Yamazaki-yama section, reached on the strolling paths from the main entrances.
Getting There
About a 3-minute walk from the 'Kenrokuen-shita / Kanazawa-jo' bus stop, served by the Kanazawa Loop Bus, Hokutetsu buses and JR buses from JR Kanazawa Station.
Crowd & Timing Tips
- Weekends and the free evening light-up periods draw the largest crowds; arrive at opening for calmer photos at Kasumigaike Pond.
- The garden is busiest at peak colour in mid-November, so early mornings on weekdays are the most relaxed.
Autumn Illumination
During the seasonal 'Kanazawa Castle & Kenroku-en Shiki Monogatari - Autumn' light-up, the garden opens free of charge in the evening, typically around 18:00-20:45 (garden closes 21:00). The exact 2026 dates are announced each year, so confirm them on the official site before planning an evening visit.
About Kenroku-en Garden
Kenroku-en was developed over successive generations by the lords of the Kaga Domain and is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, counted among Japan's Three Great Gardens.
See more autumn-leaf spots: Hokuriku Autumn Leaves 2026 · Japan Autumn Leaves Guide 2026