The Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden is a 6.5-acre site in Van Nuys that combines three distinct sections: a dry Zen meditation area, a walking garden with ponds and streams, and a traditional tea garden. Each section follows Japanese design principles and creates different spatial experiences as you move through the grounds.

Dr. Koichi Kawana designed and developed the site between 1980 and 1983, leading to its official opening in 1984. This creation marked the establishment of a major example of Japanese garden design on the West Coast.

The garden shares Japanese horticultural practices through regular demonstrations of bonsai cultivation and ikebana flower arrangements that visitors can observe. These traditions reveal how plants are shaped and composed as forms of artistic expression in Japanese culture.

The garden operates on a limited schedule, so it is worth checking before you visit to ensure it is open on your preferred day. Good walking shoes are helpful since the site includes walking paths and varied terrain throughout its sections.

The garden sits on the grounds of a water reclamation facility, making it one of ten most significant examples among hundreds of Japanese gardens across the country. This unusual setting shows how public green spaces can be created within industrial areas.

Location: California

Website: http://thejapanesegarden.com

GPS coordinates: 34.18370,-118.48100

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54