Ranked as one of the top three gardens, in that particular Japanese habit of ranking things in threes, Kenrokuen in Kanazawa really does justify its place.
The garden lies right in the middle of the city and was made a public garden in 1871. Before that it was part of the outer garden of Kanazawa castle and took nearly 200 years to complete, starting in the 1620s. The garden is centered around Kasumigaeki Pond with the Uchihashi-tei Tea House jutting over the water:
The unique two-legged Kotojitoro Lantern:
We went in May which was just too late for the cherry blossoms but beyond the central pond there are very pleasant walking paths featuring streams with blooming irises, historic tea houses, and small waterfalls:
Although I imagine it really would be spectacular earlier in spring when the plum and cherry blossoms are out, I think it is very much worth seeing any time of the year.
Travels on a Small Island 2 