The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, California, is fondly known as the garden of water and fragrance, and was designed by Dr Kawana, a pioneer in designing traditional Japanese gardens using plants that are indigenous to the area that the garden is located in. Experience absolute tranquility and peace as well as enriching of the spirit, as you walk through or just sit and admire our magnificent Japanese gardens. The garden of water and fragrance has created an environment of meditative calm, where visitors can escape the busy modern world, and think upon the beauty and simplicity of nature. Key elements that form an integral part of Japanese gardens include water, islands of stones, plants and garden accessories. The Gift Shop at The Japanese Garden is staffed by volunteers and is well stocked with ceramics, books, dolls, jewelry, parasols, and much more, and if you are looking for a perfectly unique gift, The Gift Shop is sure to have something interesting in stock. Visit The Japanese Gardens and enjoy a welcome experience of peace, calm and tranquility. READ MORE

Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Center in Cowra, New South Wales, is a oasis of peace and harmony where visitors can relax and appreciate the beauty of nature at any time of the year. There is no best time to visit our Japanese gardens, as each season offers a unique and spectacular display in surroundings that are serene and tranquil. Visit us in the spring months of September and October, when the gardens are filled with subtle cherry blossoms and fresh greenery, and in late spring when azaleas, camellias and wisteria adorn the gardens. Autumn, with its vibrant colors, is a popular time to visit as this period is a celebration of the gift of life generously given to us by nature, and is a transition into a peaceful winter. When winter arrives, the true essence of the Japanese gardens are revealed and the fundamental structure, spirit and quiet beauty is brought to the fore. Embark on a guided tour and discover the many aspects involved in the landscaping of Japanese gardens, or attend demonstrations by experts in various traditional Japanese crafts such as calligraphy, origami and ikebana, which is Japanese flower arranging. A visit to Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Center will reveal that there is something for everyone to enjoy. READ MORE

Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens in Toowoomba, Queensland, was officialy opened in 1989, and is set on 3 hectares of ground within the campus of the University of Southern Queensland. It is considered to be one of the most traditionally designed Japanese gardens in Australia, and contains a soothing mountain stream and waterfall, 3 kilometres of paths, over 230 species of Japanese and Australian trees and plants combined to create a peaceful and beautiful park with an atmosphere of restful harmony. The very name, Ju Raku En, when roughy translated, means to be able to enjoy peace and longevity in a public place, and visitors enjoy gentle strolls through the gardens, artists are often seen quietly painting a tranquil scene, and children delight in feeding the birds or fish. These Japanese gardens are also a popular venue for weddings, and one of the most popular spots is under the Wisteria Pergola, colourfully decorated with masses of lilac blossoms during the spring months, or infront of the cascading waterfall which makes an ideal backdrop for those important wedding photos. Visit Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens, and enjoy a relaxing and tranquil day out in the fresh air.READ MORE

Serene Gardens in Grand Island, New York, is a garden centre and landscaping business that specializes in designing and creating Japanese gardens. Japanese gardens provide an oasis of relaxation, creativity and meditation, and the aesthetics and principles of these gardens can be applied to gardens worldwide. The simplistic beauty of Japanese gardens is in its subtleness within its natural surroundings. At Serene Gardens we carry all the normal garden supplies, as well as professional gardening tools specifically designed for Japanese gardens, and our gift shop has a wide selection of local items as well as handmade items directly imported from Japan. Our modern Japanese restaurant which features authentic Japanese recipes with a hint of French and Italian influences, has a quiet, soothing atmosphere created by Japanese music, giving visitors to our gardens a relaxed and refreshing experience. READ MORE

Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga, California, was established in 1915 and is considered to be one of the oldest Asian and Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Set on more than 18 acres of beautiful grounds in the foothills of Saratoga, Hakone Estate and Gardens is the perfect venue for weddings, business meetings, family and private functions and special events, and visitors to our Japanese gardens all experience a deep sense of tranquility, peace and harmony. Hakone Estate and Gardens has a variety of waterfalls, strolling gardens, koi ponds and each visit to our Japanese gardens will create a personal journey of new experiences and discoveries. Our unique venue with its peaceful and serene ambiance, is the perfect, romantic place to propose to your beloved, and thereafter to celebrate your engagement or wedding, it is also a great venue for business meetings or memorable special events. There are many relaxing hideaways at Hakone Estate and Gardens where visitors can forget the world outside and lose themselves in the rippling sounds of the waterfall cascading down the hillside. READ MORE

Marymont Italian Garden in Richmond, Virginia is a magnificent park and home to exquisite stonework, fountains, gazebos and a myriad of beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees. The formal entrance to the Italian Garden has a stone arch aptly inscribed 'flowering way', and transports visitors from an informal parkland to the spectacular Italian Garden. A pergola with two species of exquisite wisteria, welcomes you to the gardens, and this particular pergola is very popular as a backdrop for ourdoor weddings during warmer months. Marymont Italian Garden welcomes visitors all year round, and as such a wide variety of shrubs and flowers are planted to ensure the gardens have blooms from spring right through to the fall. During the Renaissance, no Italian garden would be complete without a secret garden where ladies met to chat and do needlework, and Marymont Italian Garden has established its very own secret garden. READ MORE

The Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego welcomes visitors to an oasis of serenity, where Japanese Garden concepts and symbolism have been adapted to the San Diego climate. Aptly named "San-Kei-En" meaning "three Scene Garden" this Japanese gardens unique features include a stunning bonsai collection and show quality koi fish in a pond. The Japanese Friendship Garden is the perfect venue for your next event or celebration and they have catering partners. The Tea Pavilion offers magnificent views and a house of hospitality that welcomes with stunning foods, beverages, gifts, bulk teas and more, come enjoy.READ MORE

The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory based in Saint Paul, MN offers a haven of beauty and peace with delicate Japanese design principles that will delight. This Japanese Gardens calming beauty encourages visitors to relax and enjoy the beautiful things that are alive in the garden. Designed by Nagasaki designer, Masami Matsuda, as a peaceful retreat, and a gift from the Nagasaki people, the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden is a feast for the senses, a credit to nature and will calm and renew the spirit. Stroll through, and enjoy the ponds, waterfall, stones, blossoms and beautiful walkways, it's a breathtaking experience.READ MORE

The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory based in Saint Paul, MN has it all from exotic animals to donated art, Japanese Gardens, snacks to souvenirs and everything in between. The zoo itself has lions, giraffes, monkeys, tiger, wolfs, polar bears, sea lions, snow leopards, arctic fox, gorillas and so much more for you to see. The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is vast and you need to plan your visit, family fun includes an amusement park with carousel, children's gallery and there's even mini golf. The various gardens feature exotic plants on display and visitors will be truly amazed, there's even a bonsai gallery and chipotle edible garden. Enjoy browsing the gift shops, have a bite at the cafe or food carts, view the stunning art that has been donated, and the parks are also home to ball games, concerts, picnics and so much more, it truly is all here, so come visit.READ MORE

The Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden is located in Woodward Park, a regional park owned by the City of Fresno, California, and this haven of tranquility offers elegant simplicity and quiet beauty. This Japanese Gardens man-made mountains, waterfalls, streams and lake, coupled with lush plants entice visitors to stroll through the magnificent gardens accenting the four seasons. The Tea Garden and Tea Ceremony House is a replica of the authentic Sukiya style Japanese Teahouse with three rooms, a preparation room, a guests anteroom and the main tearoom. A tour of the garden brings it's own delights with a Double Moon Bridge and Koi Pond, a historical stone lantern brought from Japan and a Tembo Dai or viewing shelter of which there are several. Come and enjoy the full bloom of the ume trees, Japanese cherry, and Japanese Maple Trees, it's all here and more.READ MORE