Kanazawa Castle & Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story - Castle and Garden Illumination Event

Kanazawa Castle & Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story is Ishikawa Prefecture's representative seasonal event, staged at the Special Place of Scenic Beauty "Kenrokuen Garden," one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and the adjacent "Kanazawa Castle Park." The event showcases the beauty of the four seasons through nighttime illuminations—spring cherry blossoms, early summer iris flowers, summer greenery, autumn foliage, and winter snow scenes—allowing visitors to enjoy the enchanting nighttime views of both garden and castle grounds free of charge, quite different from their daytime appearance. This event is held annually from spring to winter, timed to match each season's characteristics, with the aim of offering domestic and international tourists a deeper experience of Kenrokuen's seasonal charms. Spring features two parts: "Cherry Blossom Period" and "Spring Stage." During the "Cherry Blossom Period," the entire garden opens at night during peak bloom, where night-cherry reflections in Kasumigaike Pond beautifully complement the illumination lights. The following "Spring Stage" offers garden illuminations amid fresh greenery throughout the Golden Week period. The summer "Early Summer Stage" is a one-day-only illumination coinciding with the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival (held on the first Saturday of June), where visitors can enjoy refreshing landscapes created by light weaving through gardens wrapped in deep green. The autumn "Autumn Stage" is the most popular and longest-running season, offering not only beautiful autumn foliage but also the rare opportunity to witness the yukitsuri (snow-support rope installation) work that begins in November. Particularly, Kenrokuen's famous "Karasaki Pine" becomes an excellent photography spot where snow-support ropes and autumn leaves create a stunning collaboration. The winter "Winter Stage" illuminates snow-support structures and snow scenes with white lights, creating a fantastical space woven with monochrome and gold tones. During illumination periods, Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park open free of charge, with castle structures including Ishikawa-mon Gate, Kahoku-mon Gate, Nezumi-tamon Gate, and Gyokusen-inmaru Garden also simultaneously illuminated. On certain days, cultural programs such as traditional Japanese music concerts, seasonal tea ceremonies, and flower-viewing tours are conducted, offering diverse experiences beyond nighttime scenery appreciation. Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen are located in the city center, making them ideal for extended-stay tourism combined with surrounding tea districts, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Omicho Market. Visitors can enjoy city sightseeing during the day and conclude their day with special nighttime experiences from evening onwards. With each season offering different expressions, visitors can experience fresh impressions with every visit, making this Kanazawa's distinctive seasonal event. Event dates vary by year, so please verify the latest information before your visit.