I've seen photos of Kenrokuen Garden by moonlight and it looks magical. Is the park open at all hours year round?

What other evening recommendations would you offer for Kanazawa? We have an early 6:30 PM dinner one night and rather than drive straight back to The Kayotei afterward, it would be nice to see the city from a different perspective after dark. Do you have any suggestions? Is there a particularly lively nightlife district? Neither my wife or myself have any interest in nightclubs but perhaps bars, theaters, lounges, public spaces, scenic outlooks, etc. Are we likely to see geisha wandering the streets of Higashi Chaya after dark?

A Google search will answer your first question: http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/english/info.html

How are photos like these possible then?





I doubt it ever gets that dark between 5-6 PM. Are there ocassionally special events held in the park at night?

I don't know about Kenrokuen at night, but Myoryuji, the so-called "ninja temple," is a lot of fun. No ninjas are in evidence, but the whole place is booby-trapped in various ways, and although the guided tour (which requires reservations) is in Japanese, the guide demonstrates all the tricks built into the house.

There's also a central marketplace that sells all sorts of raw and prepared food.

Infrequently throughout the year Kenrokuen does stay open later: http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/event/

Slipping on my photographer hat ...

Occasionally a public place will either contract for advertising photos or be contacted by a media company to photograph in the venue for commercial or artistic purposes. I've done it myself. An appointment is made for when the venue is closed to avoid interference by the public and a shoot is done. Works the same for movies and television.

Kenrokuen is a VERY busy place. I don't see anyone in the photos you posted which suggests some sort of special access. It is of course possible they were taken during the special event times mentioned above but those times would tend to be very popular. That lack of anyone visible suggests a private session.

Thanks everyone.

Myoryuji as suggested above (which we plan to visit) does not seem to be open in the evening. I guess it was just a general recommendation?

From what research I've done, it sounds like the best option in the evenings is just to wander around Kazuemachi and Higashi Chaya-Gai by the Asanogawa River and walk the alleyways by the feudal-era canals in Kohrinbo & Hirosaka after dark. We have early dinner plans at a local izakaya so this sounds like a nice way to spend an hour or two after drinking lots of sake before driving back to Kaga!

Any idea how I might dig up more info on this?

秋のおもてなしガイドツアー

１１月中旬


Google Translate indicates a Mid-November guided tour. I'd love to sign up if it falls within our dates.

Can't answer the question about the guided tour, but it does seem that Kenrokuen is open for night viewing between the 21st November and the 30th from 5:30pm to 9pm. I would get this checked, don't rely on my Japanese skills which are dreadful.

From armagebedar's second link:

金沢城・兼六園ライトアップ　～秋の段～
2014年10月11日（土）、12日（日） 18:30～22:00
2014年11月21日（金）～30日（日） 17:30～21:00

The castle will be lit up at this time also.

These are great opportunities to prolong your short days and legitimately and comfortably squeeze more into your itinerary. Don't forget you also have the opportunity to visit Kenrokuen very, very early also. Perversely, you might find the early shift to be quieter than usual as tourists will be not be able to resist the novelty of visiting at night.

Your questions about Kenrokuen are really admirable, but this is really where the local tourist information centre should excel with providing information.

Thank you so much, LapLap!

Unfortunately, we just miss the boat as we'll be in the area between November 12th and 15th. Too bad! I would have really loved to visit at night. It must be spectacular all lit up.

We'll just have to visit really early in the morning to avoid all the foot traffic.

Thanks again for the info.