--- title: Magical Must-Visit Gardens in Japan description: "Japan is filled with peaceful, picture-perfect gardens. Think: tranquil ponds, orante temples, vibrant greenery, walking bridges, and fragrant flowers." image: https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-38-9304-AM.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/en/blue-basin-travels/magical-must-visit-gardens-in-japan#main-content) - [Home](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/blue-basin-travels-1) - [Book Your Travel](https://bluebasintravels.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm) Show submenu for Book Your Travel - [Explora Journeys](https://explorajourneys.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Norwegian Cruises](https://www.ncl.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Oceania Cruises](https://www.oceaniacruises.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Regent Seven Seas Cruises](https://www.rssc.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Boutique River Cruises](https://bluebasintravels.uniworld.com/us) - [Tours](https://www.viator.com/tours/Baltimore/Easy-way-DC-tours/d4375-317784P1?pid=P00011640&uid=U00249475&mcid=58086¤cy=USD) - [Vacation Rentals](https://www.classicvacations.com/) - [Blog](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/en/blue-basin-travels) - [Travel Quote Request Form](https://form.jotform.com/241437396192159) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/blue-basin-travels-1) - [Book Your Travel](https://bluebasintravels.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm) Show submenu for Book Your Travel - [Explora Journeys](https://explorajourneys.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Norwegian Cruises](https://www.ncl.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Oceania Cruises](https://www.oceaniacruises.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Regent Seven Seas Cruises](https://www.rssc.com?insider=d33p-ruqayyah-abdur-rahman) - [Boutique River Cruises](https://bluebasintravels.uniworld.com/us) - [Tours](https://www.viator.com/tours/Baltimore/Easy-way-DC-tours/d4375-317784P1?pid=P00011640&uid=U00249475&mcid=58086¤cy=USD) - [Vacation Rentals](https://www.classicvacations.com/) - [Blog](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/en/blue-basin-travels) - [Travel Quote Request Form](https://form.jotform.com/241437396192159) - [Contact us](mailto:info@bluebasintravels.com) Open search Close search [Contact us](mailto:info@bluebasintravels.com) [![Blue Basin Travels](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blue%20Basin%20Logo%20(1)-1.png?width=500&height=500&name=Blue%20Basin%20Logo%20(1)-1.png "Blue Basin Travels")](http://Blue%20Basin%20Travels,%20LLC) # Magical Must-Visit Gardens in Japan [Ruqayyah](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/en/blue-basin-travels/author/ruqayyah) Jun 1, 2023 5:00:00 AM ### Japan is filled with peaceful, picture-perfect gardens. Think: tranquil ponds, ornate temples, vibrant greenery, walking bridges, and fragrant flowers. But how do you know which ones to visit? Check out this list of *the* top gardens throughout Japan. [**View Vacation Packages >**](https://www.sceptrevacations.com/vacation-packages/asia/japan) --- **![hanging tree](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-39-1808-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-39-1808-AM.png)** ## The Three Great Gardens of Japan Okay, more like "the three [*most famous* gardens in Japan](https://www.sceptrevacations.com/vacation-packages/asia/japan)." These oases are often referred to as "Nihon Sanmeien" and are well-known as *those* postcard-worthy, strolling-style landscape gardens designed during the Edo Period (1603-1868). #### Kenrokuen • Kanazawa Justifiably classified as one of Japan's most beloved gardens, this whimsical wonderland opened to the public in 1871. This garden was named Kenrokuen, which translates to "having six factors," because of its six attributes that designers believed would create the perfect landscape: spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water sources, and magnificent views. Check it out for yourself! #### Korakuen • Okayama Located just beside Okayama Castle, this beautiful Japanese landscape boasts a large pond, gentle streams and walking paths. As you stroll, you'll find groves of plum, cherry, and maple trees, tea and rice fields, and an archery range! #### Kairakuen • Mito Over three *thousand* plum trees? You got that right. Just about one hour northeast of Tokyo by express train, this garden is most famous for its Mito Plum Festival (Mito Ume Matsuri). From February through March, thousands of people flock to Kairakuen to watch white, pink, and red blossoms burst to life! Unlike the Kenrokuen gardens, which were exclusive to the ruling lords for many years, Kairakuen translates to "park to be enjoyed together," and always served as a public gathering space. --- **![Bamboo trees](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-34-4026-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-34-4026-AM.png)** ## Honorable Mentions #### Hōkoku-ji • Kamakura Known as "Bamboo Temple," this old temple (founded in 1334) is in the Kencho-ji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It's famous for its fairytale-like bamboo garden that contains over 2,000 Moso bamboos! Get lost in the mystical storybook of this amazing garden and watch the sunshine stream through the tall greenery. --- **![Japanese Garden](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-38-9304-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-38-9304-AM.png)** #### Daigoji • Kyoto Daigoji is the Buddhist Temple that travelers dream about. The different areas of this spectacular World Heritage Site complex take up an entire mountainside! Stroll through breathtaking cherry blossoms in the spring, and watch Japanese maple trees turn into a warm wonderland of reds and oranges in the fall. --- **![Japanese Garden](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-34-1268-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-34-1268-AM.png)** #### Shinjuku Gyoen • Tokyo Originally the residence of the Naito family in the Edo period, this lovely garden is just a short walk from Shinjuku Station and its tranquil setting provides a relaxing retreat from the bustling city. --- **![boat on water close to a bridge](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-38-5569-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-38-5569-AM.png)** #### Ritsurin Koen • Takamatsu It is often suggested that this garden *deserves* a place on the list of "the three great gardens of Japan." Built by feudal lords in the early Edo Period, Ritsurin is home to a tea house, a picturesque walking bridge, art exhibits, and lush greenery. --- **![Japanese Garden](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-33-4470-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-33-4470-AM.png)** #### Ryōan-ji • Kyoto Ahh, Japan's most famous rock Zen garden! This unique garden is considered one of the best surviving examples of kare-sansui, or "dry gravel garden." Known for their distinctive rock formations and smooth pebbles raked into linear patterns, these gardens promote purity, peace, and meditation. --- **![boat and cherry blossoms](https://www.bluebasintravels.com.bluebasintravels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-33-8879-AM.png?width=800&height=533&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-05-30-33-8879-AM.png)** #### Sankeien • Yokohama This traditional Japanese-style garden is renowned for its jaw-dropping beauty and boasts architectural treasures, cultural masterpieces, and stunning plant life. 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