Enjoy Kaga Kaiseki Cuisine, Tea Ceremony, and a Tour of a 400-Year-Old Garden near Kenrokuen, Kanazawa

Indulge in Seasonal Flavors in a Culturally Significant Room Within a Historic Garden

Kanazawa Gyokusentei is a Japanese restaurant located in the renowned Gyokusen-en garden, just a 10-minute drive from Kanazawa Station and next to Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Gyokusen-en was carefully crafted over 100 years by the Wakita family, senior vassals of the Kaga domain. The restaurant itself is a renovated 200-year-old mansion, and in this experience, you can enjoy Kaga kaiseki cuisine in the historically significant Kan'un-no-ma room.

Kan'un-no-ma, a room closely linked to the Urasenke school

The Kan'un-no-ma is a Japanese-style room that faithfully replicates the Urasenke school's tea room Kan'un-tei in Kyoto, designated a National Important Cultural Property. The original in Kyoto was a favorite of Sotan, the third head of Urasenke and grandson of the renowned tea master Sen no Rikyu.

The ceiling is divided into three types depending on the area

The Kaga domain, which valued culture and promoted the tea ceremony, invited renowned tea masters to Kanazawa to instruct their samurai vassals. The heads of the Wakita family have also embraced the tea ceremony for generations, with the special room Kan'un-no-ma being one reflection of that legacy. The room features a three-tiered ceiling, with varying heights depending on the area, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a space of great historical significance.

Savor the Seasonal Flavors of Kanazawa With a Kaiseki Course Crafted by the Chef

In this experience, you’ll begin with a Kaga kaiseki course at Kan'un-no-ma. Each dish features a variety of ingredients from Kanazawa, known for its gourmet food scene, with a progression of appetizers, soup, sashimi, and grilled dishes. Enjoy fresh seafood like yellowtail, snow crab, and blackthroat seaperch from the Sea of Japan, along with seasonal ingredients like bamboo shoots, matsutake mushrooms, and lotus root. The meal concludes with seasonal clay pot rice, featuring sweetfish and sea bream, for a satisfying finish.

Fresh local seafood and mountain produce used generously

The head chef at Kanazawa Gyokusentei honed his skills at a renowned restaurant. He says, “While staying true to tradition, we create dishes that harmonize color, taste, and texture. Using a dashi stock made from bonito and kelp, we aim to craft unique flavors that highlight the ingredients." As you savor the food, you'll be captivated by its aroma and color, with delicious flavors and nutritious tastes creating a delightful experience.

Enjoy the garden’s beauty in every season

Discover the Hidden Stories of History in a Garden Closely Connected to Kenrokuen

After your meal, the restaurant manager will share insights about the garden. Gyokusen-en covers about 2,380 m² and is built on a steep slope that extends from Kenrokuen to the bottom of the cliff. "The water that flows through the garden comes from Kenrokuen, reflecting the close relationship between the Wakita family and the Maeda family, the lords of Kaga," explains the manager. The garden has two levels, with Kenrokuen’s trees providing a beautiful backdrop. At the top, you'll find the teahouse Saisetsu-tei and a garden, while the lower level features a pond where you can stroll and enjoy the scenery.

Gyokusen-en Garden spans a cliffside

The garden is home to hundreds of plant species, creating a serene, moss-covered atmosphere. It was named after Gyokusen-in (1574-1623), the daughter of Oda Nobunaga (a famous samurai in Japanese history) and wife of Maeda Toshinaga (1562-1614), the second lord of Kaga.

The garden is filled with traces of history

Wakita Naotaka (1585-1660), the first head of the Wakita family, originally came from the Korean peninsula. He was brought to Japan as a child during the war and raised by Gyokusen-in as a samurai. It is said he was a Christian, and the "Hidden Christian Lantern" in the garden symbolizes his secret faith, which he maintained even after Christianity was banned.

Exploring historical secrets is one of the joys of strolling through the garden

Immerse Yourself in Japanese Culture at Kanazawa’s Oldest Tea Ceremony Space

Next, you'll tour Saisetsu-tei and experience a tea ceremony. After climbing the slope to the top of the garden, you'll discover Kanazawa's oldest tea room, Saisetsu-tei, which is approximately 400 years old. Its spacious interior can accommodate several people.

The garden around the teahouse, Saisetsu-tei-roji, was created by the second generation of the Wakita family under the guidance of their tea ceremony teacher, the head of the Urasenke school. After enjoying the garden and listening to the instructor's insights, you'll move to the next room for the Urasenke thin tea ceremony experience.

Experience a traditional tea ceremony in an elegant teahouse

Appreciate the hanging scrolls, flowers, and tea utensils as you watch the tea ceremony while learning about its culture. Enjoy Kanazawa's famous sweets and matcha, taking your time to savor each bite. The instructor will explain the basic etiquette in an easy-to-understand way. As you empty your mind in the silence, you'll notice things you usually overlook, like the sound of boiling water and the scent of the breeze. This experience, hard to replicate in daily life, will gently reset your mind and body.

Take part in an authentic Urasenke tea ceremony

Notice the giant tree in Saisetsu-tei-roji. This Korean white pine, believed to be over 350 years old, has a deep connection to Korea, the homeland of the first Naokata. Wrapped around the tree is a thick trumpet vine, said to have been planted by Omatsu, the wife of Maeda Toshiie (1539-1599), the first lord of the Kaga domain. Take a moment to sharpen your senses and appreciate the strength of this ancient tree.

A 350-year-old Korean five-needle pine and trumpet vine

Experience the Real Japan in Kanazawa, a City of Gastronomy and History

During the Edo period (1603-1868), Kanazawa was a major city, ranking just behind Kyoto, Edo, and Osaka. One of the samurai who supported the Maeda family, the lords of Kaga who founded this city, was Wakita Naokata, along with his family successors. This experience takes place in Gyokusen-en, a symbol of samurai culture in Kanazawa, where history is still palpable. In this remarkable setting, you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture while savoring exquisite seasonal cuisine for a truly memorable time.

Savor exquisite food and rich history at the same time