If the crowds in nearby Kenroku-en get to be too much, head down the hill to the Gyokusen Garden, a private garden that sees few visitors. Designed in the early 1600s by Naokata Wakita, a naturalized Korean who was a chamberlain for the local Maeda lord, the garden is split into two levels. As visitors stroll around the garden, they can look out for the pond whose shape is that of the Japanese character for "heart" and the lantern with the symbol on its base that marked Wakita as a hidden Christian. In autumn, this is an enjoyable place to view the fall foliage.
- 1 min read
Gyokusen Garden
A quiet garden in the shadow of Kenroku-en
![Mandy Bartok Mandy Bartok](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/896/240x240!/565e87e167ba810c868b6bb4.jpg)
By Mandy Bartok
Community writer
![The entrance to Gyokusen Garden](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102282/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102282.jpg)
The entrance to Gyokusen Garden
![A uniquely-shaped chozubachi(water basin) in the garden](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102283/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102283.jpg)
A uniquely-shaped chozubachi(water basin) in the garden
![A small ikebana arrangement near the veranda of the garden's resthouse](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102284/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102284.jpg)
A small ikebana arrangement near the veranda of the garden's resthouse
![The carving at the bottom of one of the garden's lanterns, indicating the garden owner was a hidden Christian](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102285/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102285.jpg)
The carving at the bottom of one of the garden's lanterns, indicating the garden owner was a hidden Christian
![The garden is lovely in autumn, and surprisingly deserted](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102286/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102286.jpg)
The garden is lovely in autumn, and surprisingly deserted
![A view of the lower level of the garden from on high](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102287/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102287.jpg)
A view of the lower level of the garden from on high
![The pond is in the shape of the kanji for "heart"](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/17502-102288/1000/ishikawa-gyokusen-garden-102288.jpg)
The pond is in the shape of the kanji for "heart"
Join the discussion
Kim
2 years ago
Quieter places are definitely more my preference - this garden sounds great!
1 comment in total
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