VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

A hidden gem in the heart of the historic Nagamachi Samurai District – officially recognized as a Cultural Heritage Site by the City of Kanazawa.

Nestled within the preserved Nagamachi Samurai District, the Senda-ke Garden is a peaceful retreat where visitors can enjoy the beauty of Japanese tradition with both the eyes and ears. This exquisite strolling garden was created in 1894 by Norifumi SENDA, a former samurai of the Kaga Domain, who was inspired by the famous Kenrokuen Garden.

At the center of the garden lies a tranquil pond, carefully fed by a nearby irrigation canal called the Ōno-shō waterway. The water flows gently around an artificial hill before returning to the canal—bringing a continuous sense of life and calm to the garden.

Throughout the garden, you will discover traditional features that reflect the elegance of Kenrokuen, such as:

A Yukimi-dōrō (snow-viewing lantern), designed to reflect beautifully on the pond’s surface.

A stone bridge made from rare Akatomuro stone.

Decorative stones and pagodas inspired by the Seven Gods of Fortune, placed around the hill.

After a century, the garden's waterfall has been restored, and the gentle sound of flowing water now enhances the tranquil atmosphere once again.

The garden features carefully maintained Japanese black and red pines, as well as colorful azaleas and rhododendrons that bloom spectacularly from spring to early summer.

Adding to the sensory experience:

The soft, rhythmic sound of a shishi-odoshi (a bamboo water feature used to scare away animals), creates a moment of stillness.

A unique suikinkutsu (literally “water koto cave”) offers a musical surprise—a buried pot that resonates with the delicate sound of dripping water, echoing like a Japanese harp.

The site also includes a small museum featuring artifacts and photographs related to Norifumi SENDA. Visitors can gain insight into how this former samurai lived through the dramatic shift from the late Edo period to the modern Meiji era.

Take a moment to step away from the modern world and immerse yourself in the quiet flow of time at this rare and beautiful garden.