We came to Kanazawa to see the castle. But the cherry blossoms are at their peak and a world famous garden sits just across the street. Kenroku-en garden is considered one of the best traditional Japanese gardens in Japan. I feel lucky to see it as the pale pink blossoms blanket the garden.

It is hard to know where to walk. Do we follow the old growth trees? Or perhaps the babbling brook is a better path? I am following the giant Buddha to the center of the park, but first the rock garden with the breathtaking views over the mountains has my attention. We travel lonely paths with just a few other Japanese people passing us along the way.

It is serene and beautiful. Photos can’t capture its beauty and words can’t begin to share the garden’s many delights. I won’t try. We walk among plants and trees under a brilliant blue sky. All is well in my world. As we skirt lakes and ancient tea houses, I feel connected to something older and larger than my limited experience.

At garden’s edge, the blossoms are the main attraction. The crowds have congregated here. Food stalls are set up and a festival market is doing a brisk business in chicken skewers and teriyaki flavored dumplings. People arrive en masse as we are leaving. It looks like a party is getting ready to break out.

But a Japanese garden is at its best as a place of quiet contemplation. We will leave the crowds and head onward into the city. Kenroku-en was an unplanned stop that was a wonderful surprise.