Important Update: Due to the January 1st, 2024 earthquake, the Kenrokuen Garden winter lighting event scheduled for February 2024 has been canceled.
The Winter lighting event will be held at Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. It is very popular annual event in Kanazawa. Please enjoy the illumination of Kenrokuen Garden, especially the trees decorated with cone-shaped snow hangings, a winter tradition in Kanazawa. The fantastic atmosphere is enhanced when it snows.
Date and time
January 21 (Sat.) to January 28 (Sat.), 2023,
February 3 (Fri.) to February 4 (Sat.), 10 (Fri.) to 11 (Sat.), 17 (Fri.) to 18 (Sat.), and 23 (Thu.) to 25 (Sat.).
18:00 – 20:45 (closing at 21:00) on each day.
Place
Kenrokuen garden and Kanazawa castle park in Kanazawa city, Japan.
From JR Kanazawa station, it is approx. 16 minutes by Kanazawa Loop Bus (Right Loop) or local buses. Get off at [RL7] Kenrokuen-shita Kanazawa-jo (兼六園下・金沢城) bus stop.
Kanazawa Light-up Bus is available on Saturdays.
Highlights of Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden is a typical stroll-around-ponds style garden with 8,200 trees, traditional stone lanterns, and old-fashioned bridges scattered throughout the vast park.
In winter, trees in Kenrokuen hold their branches with numerous ropes to protect them from the heavy snowfall of this region. The famous “Karasaki” pine tree and others are lit up and glow golden. It is a breathtaking sight.
Admission to the park is free during the event.
Highlights of Kanazawa Castle Park
Kanazawa Castle Park is lit up every night throughout the year for free. Moreover, during the event, the gyokusen’in-maru garden, located at the far end of the Kanazawa Castle Park has a special lightning show.
