Enjoy Kaga Kaiseki Cuisine in a Historic Samurai Residence at Gyokusen-en, 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

Each dish in the Kaga kaiseki course at Kan’un-no-ma 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

Historical Layers of Gyokusen-en, Closely Connected to Kenrokuen

From the dining room, you can catch glimpses of greenery from Gyokusen-en Garden, giving a subtle sense of the garden’s presence as you dine. If time permits, you may also wish to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the garden to experience it more closely (please note that garden access is not included; admission is payable on site).

Gyokusen-en Garden spans a cliffside

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.

The garden is filled with traces of history

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.

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

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.

Saisetsu-tei, Kanazawa’s oldest teahouse that honors Rikyu’s wabi aesthetic

Together, highlights of the garden include its dramatic two-level layout along the cliffside, the 400-year-old teahouse Saisetsu-tei, and historic details such as a Korean five-needle pine entwined with a trumpet vine, said to have been planted by Omatsu, the wife of Maeda Toshiie, first lord of the Kaga domain.

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

Experience the Essence of 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 is set within the historic surroundings of 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