The Japanese Garden in the Sepulveda Basin is such a beautiful oasis in the Valley, especially in an area that can get so hot. It feels peaceful, well cared for, and instantly calming the moment you walk in. There is a small $5 admission fee, which honestly feels completely worth it, especially because it clearly helps keep the grounds so clean, beautiful, and well maintained. I brought my parents here while they were visiting, and they absolutely loved it. If you're lucky enough to visit during the right season, you may even catch the cherry blossoms, which make the whole experience even more special. There is also plenty of parking on site, which makes visiting easy. One thing to keep in mind is that they are closed on Sundays. Also, if you have extra time, Sepulveda Basin Lake is nearby and worth checking out as well. A lovely, serene spot that feels like a hidden gem in the Valley. read more

The gardens are beautifully maintained with koi ponds, little bridges, stone lanterns, and perfectly trimmed bonsai. Everything feels intentional and peaceful. I went on a weekday afternoon and it was super quiet, which made it even better for just slowing down and wandering. There are plenty of benches to sit and take it all in, and the sound of the water alone is enough to lower your blood pressure. It's not huge, but that's part of the charm. You can take your time and really appreciate the details without feeling rushed. I also appreciated how clean everything was and you can tell they put a lot of care into maintaining the space. read more

It's always a good time to check this garden out. If it's your first time, it's just off of Woodley Ave in the park area before the archery park. Before entering, you're greeted at the security gate where they'll open the gate for you. I alway notice that the security guard alway ask how many people which I'm sure it's for a capacity limit. Once inside, you're at the parking lot. It's a decent size lot which even if it's busy there's a spot. People come and go all the time. You have to check in at the office/bungalow. They take your name, asking if it's your first time and so on. And if you need a map for directions. Basically a safety guide. As of now and for the past few months the front part of the garden has been under construction for the longest. I not quite sure the reason but it somewhat looks like a garden upkeep and renovation. That use to be the main entrance but with construction, entrance is where the building is now. Garden has been updated since the last time I've been a few months ago. There's more planted area along the paths that has been maintained. They ask that you follow the path which is pretty wide. The whole garden path is a little under a mile or so. It's not big but it does give you a glimpse of the whole area. The man focal point in the tea house which is at the other end of the entrance. Simple and chic as it gets. You could just sit and look out into the lake and enjoy nature. A quiet place for relaxation. It's broken down to little different patches but all combined together. As it's still winter, the lily pond area has completely been cut down. Even all the lilies in the lake have been cut down. Come spring, they'll slowly prepare for blooms. Also a lot of the trees are bare as well. This visit, I did noticed that a lot of the colorful koi weren't anywhere to be seen. I'm not sure if they've been moved until later. Also, there wasn't any turtles throughout. We did manage to see some as we were walking out. The bamboo forest was also somewhat sparse. Come springs, it'll look completely different with all the fresh greenery. This garden is quite beautiful. Small but packs a major punch. Plus they're very strict with picture taking. You can with your own phone and what. But no professional shot. I don't know if you need a permit or if it's even allowed for wedding photos or whatever. But it's still a nice place to check out. read more

See all

On a Sunday at 9:30am in June, my family came here since it's open on Father's Day. At first we got lost and we found it. We arrived early and the security guard was nice and told us to come back. The Japanese Garden is gorgeous from using reclaimed sewage water. It's very peaceful as I took a walk to admire the nature. There are few volunteers walked by which was nice. The bathrooms are clean too. read more

See all

I've been here a few times. It's very peaceful and serene. The most enjoyable part were the koi fish and the tea house.

What a beautiful day it was at the Japanese Garden today. Even with the construction, the portion of the garden that remains open to the public still offered so much to enjoy, everything except the koi fish. That part was a little disappointing, since seeing them was the entire reason for our visit. My granddaughter had just learned about koi in class this week but had never seen one in person. Still, we saw plenty of birds: a crane, a pelican, ducks, woodpeckers, sparrows, and more. I love bird-watching, and we did plenty of it! She especially enjoyed finding all the items on her map--after all, it was a field trip for her. We plan to visit again once the construction is finished. read more

See all

Visited SuihoEn Japanese Garden on a warm afternoon, and even though it was a bit hot, the garden was absolutely beautiful and worth it. The peaceful atmosphere, koi ponds, bridges, and perfectly maintained landscaping make it one of the most relaxing places you can visit in the Valley. The garden is wheelchair accessible throughout, with smooth paths and gentle slopes that make it easy for everyone to enjoy the scenery. There are plenty of shaded areas to take a break, and benches positioned along the walkways for resting or just taking in the view. They are currently doing some construction on parts of the grounds, which is expected to be completed in early 2026, but it doesn't take away from the overall experience -- most of the garden remains open and just as stunning. Parking is free and convenient, and the small admission fee is well worth it. If you're looking for a quiet place to unwind, take photos, or enjoy a peaceful walk, SuihoEn is a perfect choice. Even on a hot day, it's a serene escape right in the middle of Van Nuys. read more

See all

This is a peaceful place that I never knew existed until recently. You can walk the entire area in about 30 minutes. If you want to sit there are a variety of sitting areas, some in the sun and some in the shade. Parking- Free Notes- You cannot bring food and there is no food to purchase. I am sure they do this to keep the place clean. read more

See all

Perhaps one of the more unexpected and unusual features of the San Fernando Valley is free access to a Japanese-style garden. The Japanese Garden is in essentially what feels like the backyard of the Valley and is connected to a water reclamation plant. Given these unusual facts, I would argue that everyone should try to make a visit here at least once. I came during the summer when the heat was rather strong, and the appearance of the water was alluring and tranquilizing. Walking through the garden you will find various landmarks, many of which have seating, allowing you to mindfully take in the entire landscape. The various plants are perhaps the main stars of the garden, as-- well, what else do you expect from a garden? But then you also catch sight of various fish and birds, which proves that the reclaimed water is at least clean enough for life to exist and persist here. I found the water garden to be really gorgeous, with the various lotus plants in bloom. This garden is open during perhaps really inconvenient windows of time (closed Friday to Sunday, which would arguably allow for more visitor traffic). I do wonder why they have such restricted time windows, and perhaps it's by design. It wasn't so busy when I visited during the summer, but I'm also privileged enough to not have to always be at work while the garden is open. read more

See all

My friend and I had a wonderful visit our first time at the Japanese garden. It was a hidden jam. We had no idea of this place. I found it on yelp by searching hiking trails. We met a lady named Andrea . She was so nice she stopped answered all questions gave us so much information about the garden. It's a beautiful cozy Japanese garden very peaceful. read more

See all

This garden is seriously beautiful from every angle, even during the winter. I noticed that there are a lot of birds around the gardens and in the pond, which was very cool to see. I was not expecting to see cranes, herons, and I think pelicans in the middle of the city (though the garden borders a nature preserve) but it's a great indicator of how friendly the garden is for wildlife. I managed to make my way out to the garden on a Monday and stayed for a little more than an hour but only saw about 10 visitors throughout that time. It's truly peaceful there and quiet there. Great for a little walk but beware of uneven terrain. All of the garden's features are unique though my favorite area by far was the waterfall. I plan to visit again in the summer to hopefully see some more blooms. My only complaints were that you currently have to walk through an admin building to the garden, which smells a bit dank and like recycled water per the neighboring water plant, and a few areas could be better maintained as there were dead leaves and flowers floating in some of the water garden exhibits along with some standing water. The tortoise stones were also not visible due to construction. read more

Absolutely beautiful. Who would have thought this would be in Van Nuys? I had a nice quick date with the girlfriend. We took our time walking through and enjoyed the scenery. I love these kind of places and I am so happy it's so close by. read more

I have been wanting to visit The Japanese Garden. In randomly looking at their website, it showed that their reservation system was temporarily down, so admission is by walk-ins for now. Today was a nice clear, cool day so we took a drive to have lunch in the area, then walk the garden at a time that worked best for us. We were only constrained by the garden visiting hours which are limited to the morning 9:30am-12noon, closed from 12noon-1pm and afternoon 2pm-3:30pm. They are also closed Friday thru Sunday, holidays and rainy days. Parking and admission are free. No food is allowed. After checking in and a quick rundown of the rules, we took a relaxing stroll on the designated paths, taking moments to sit on the many benches to take in the peacefulness and admire the lovely views. It took us just a little over an hour to walk the entire garden. The viewing tower has the best vantage point of the entire garden, but it also explained the sewage smell in some areas. There is a walkway/bridge that takes you a viewing area for the water reclamation plant. The garden is clean and beautiful. The plants were lush and well-cared for. We enjoyed our visit and plan to return. read more

See all

This Japanese Garden is stunning and well maintained. I love that it's also hiding within the SFV. It was a beautiful experience to walk through (three gardens in one) and I am looking forward to coming back. Admission is free, I previously went while reservations are required but they are temporarily allowing walk ins. I admire the thought that went into the layout and my favorite part was visiting the Shoin Building! So peaceful. The Chisen "wet strolling" garden had beautiful waterfalls and I was able to see some baby ducklings along the lake. Considering the water is from the adjacent water reclamation plant, I'm thrilled to see healthy animal life. Perfect oasis within the SFV! Please make sure to visit! It's worth your time. read more

See all

Meh. I was really forward to this place after reading so many positive reviews.... What a letdown. As soon as I parked, I couldn't help, but smell a horrible stench of a sanitizing/waste facility nearby. Why? It's connected directly behind the garden. Was told walking the entire garden will take 30 minutes; took about that much time. Nothing impressing to stay any longer for. This garden is located in the middle of nowhere which made it worse to get back onto the freeway. It wasn't FAR, but just not ideal. Don't waste your time. Go some place else to stretch your legs and admire nature. The only good thing was it was free parking and free admission. I was told you usually have to pay and make an appointment for your visit. Oh yeah, I also want to add how rude the security guard was at the main gate. He was on a huge power trip with the car in front of me entering the lot and myself as well. read more

See all

My friends and I had the most tranquil and amazing time here. Wow! definitely a hidden gem here in the valley. I grew up in van nuys and had NO IDEA that this was here all along. We felt like we weren't in California anymore, let alone on the same planet. It was so beautiful and I definitely will be back soon. It is currently free entry as they work on some construction! Closed Friday-Sunday and they close early afternoons daily. Google says that they close for an hour in between 12-1pm but this is in fact not accurate anymore, according to the employees read more

See all

So the garden is a little difficult to find. You come into the area through Balboa. Then you roll up to a security guard who asks you how many people in your party. Then you park, and amongst the construction there's a ticket booth. From there you follow the construction around the bend and walk into a long building corridor. It smells like mildew, but there's koi and other fish in some water along the walkway, so it makes sense. The building feels abandoned, like a Jurassic Park building. It spits you out on the other side. The views are nice, the garden is okay. You can basically see everything from where you initially stand. I don't know if kids will enjoy this, there's nothing to do but maybe run along the paths. The tea house structure at the far end of the garden is nice. You can sit, look out, and reflect on life. Annnd that's about it. I didn't see any fun events or kid friendly activities in the works. I wish the garden were more lush and plentiful. I wouldn't go back, but I'm glad I went since it's so close to home. read more

The Japanese Garden - View from tea house - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Van Nuys, California

It's the @Light_skin_dragon coming to you with an up to day event. I was looking for thing to do with my daughter and I came across this hidden gem. It was a really fun experience and very peaceful! Hands down I'll be coming back here just to have a peace of mind. There is street parking or parking in front but you'll have to pass security to get in. They have to let front know you're there and how many ppl are in your party. They had ducks and different types of birds there. Fishes like koi and I think catfish but I could be wrong and the walk isn't that bad around. The garden is open from specific times and you have to leave before 330pm. I'm enjoying my time with my daughter and she truly enjoyed it as well read more

See all

Yes, there is a water reclamation business attached to this place. And the reclaiming is from what you're flushing down the toilet. Tl:dr This place smells like POOP. If you are downwind of it, it's a lot. It is gross. So, so gross. And while they may charge a small fee, you are being charged to smell POOP. It looks pretty, smells awful. Proceed with caution. And nose plugs. read more

First time to visit this place. Easy to find with good amount of parking. Construction going on, but still able to enjoy the serene garden that has everything that will make you feel relax while there. Not a big place and an hour to take a leisurely walk around the garden will be enough. A good place to go to for peace and quiet. Construction probably goes on during the weekdays or when the park is closed to the public. read more

Nestled in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. This serene 6.5-acre garden is a beautiful representation of Japanese garden design, perfect for a relaxing stroll or a mindful meditation session. The meticulously landscaped gardens, with koi ponds, waterfalls, and carefully placed rocks, create a calming and serene atmosphere. It's a perfect spot to de-stress and reconnect with nature. The garden features traditional Japanese design elements like pagodas, bridges, and stone lanterns, transporting you to a tranquil corner of Japan. The garden is currently under construction so no reservations required at this time and walk ins are welcome in either the morning session (9:30 to 12) or afternoon session (1-3:30). There are no restaurants or cafes on-site, and no food allowed inside so plan accordingly. read more

See all

We had so much fun. There are lots of bridges and water features that make this place spectacular. The best are the ducks and geese that walk right by you and don't even care if you walk right up to them. They strut with attitude. It only takes about an hour to see the whole park. So I wouldn't plan on spending a lot of time there. But it sure is worth a while. read more

See all

So first off, I kept trying to come by, but the hours are very limited no weekends at all. Also, when you roll up, it doesn't look like they're open but you have to go up to the gate and let the garden know that you're there to visit and they will let you in if it's during business hours,. It is a beautiful and peaceful place, but do you remember it is right next-door to a sanitation plant so if it's hot out, the air may not be the freshest. It wasn't too hot when we visited so the smell wasn't too bad. The grounds are gorgeous. They had some really good plants good landscaping the bird life is my favorite and the architecture of the teahouse was fun to explore. You can keep coming back and discovering all of the different birds. I didn't see them all on my trip although I did see a good variety of them. I'd like to come back and explore some more. read more

See all

Nice small park/garden. They are limited in opening hours, but a good 30-40 minutes should be plenty of time to walk through everything. Not a-lot of shades or seating areas. Will visit again. read more

See all

The Japanese Garden in Lake Balboa is a small but well-kept and relaxing garden in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. As a remote worker, I try to switch it up occasionally and this is a great way to relax for an hour without having to travel too far. There is a tea house where tea ceremonies are held as well as a little gift shop. The admission is free. The hours are just a bit limited (closing time at 3:30pm Monday through Thursday with a lunch break from 12pm to 1pm, closed Friday through Sunday). Please be sure to check them before coming. read more

See all

I've lived here for years and never knew there was a tranquil oasis on my doorstep. We had some family in town and took them for a visit and I was stunned when I walked in. It's so peaceful and a photographers dream. I can see myself coming back and getting lost in a book one day! Admission is free, but reservations are required. Just go to their website as it's super simple. Check in at the guard shack and you're good to go! read more

See all

Enjoyed a nice stroll on a warm February afternoon. It's friendly for strollers and wheelchairs, noting there's dirt and pebbled paths. Parking is easy. It is secure. The garden is nice. I don't understand why it is next to a sewage plant though. In parts of the garden, you can smell sewage. Free admission. Free parking. Open to the public. I feel visitors are quite respectful, which is nice there isn't trash and graffiti. Food isn't allowed, for good reason. It's tranquil here. Bring a parasol if you demand shade from the harsh Valley sun. Wish there was more Japanese history or culture to learn. The design of the garden and choice of plants is plenty influenced by Japanese sensibilities though. read more

Very cute garden very peaceful some of the garden was under construction when I went but overall loved the view would go again read more

The Japanese Garden - Overlook of the garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Absolutely Beautiful very well kept perfect little diamond in the ruff!! Nice garden for a morning stroll!

When a great place to go and relax and free your mind from whatever is stuck in it. It's a beautiful location and the grounds are kept up to par read more

Overall Zen Experience - 5! One of the many things I love about living in LA, are the countless hidden gems all over the city. I have lived here over 20 years and I still find new and interesting things to do all the time. A great example of a hidden gem that I wish more people would discover is the completely free The Japanese Garden in the Lake Balboa area of the valley. While my recent visit was not my first time here, it was the first time I've been back since I left Sherman Oaks. A fact I find interesting about the site is that it uses reclaimed water from the nearby water treatment facility. You may even notice an interesting odor while entering. The Japanese Garden is part of the really large Lake Balboa park area. While it doesn't have the hills of Griffith Park or other areas, it is a nice place to explore. There are areas for sports and in the spring and summer, on the weekend, the fields are full of all kinds of players. I've even seen cricket players out there doing their thing. Even with everything going on around it, The Japanese Garden is a lovely place. It is not a large garden and you can explore the entire area within about 15 minutes. It is thoughtfully designed and has some unique elements where they were able to combine traditional Japanese garden elements with some unique architecture. There is a tea house but I do not think they serve tea there. There are lots of places to sit and relax. There is an abundance of birds. There is a check in booth, I'm assuming so they don't let too many people in at once. Everyone who works with the park is friendly and helpful. The grounds are very well maintained, not just from a garden perspective and they even have their own parking lot so you don't need to hike all the way over from the main park. It is a lovely way to relax and unwind. And it is free. I highly recommend it. read more

See all

Awesome place. It's Zen. A must go ans in the Top 10 list of State parks to go to. Do not miss it. Friendly staff are very welcoming. Definitely 5 starts!!! read more

Serene garden to get some fresh air and somewhat peace (not really though because there are A LOT of parents with kids coming here as well). Admission and parking is free. Space is tight so be mindful of squeezing your car in tight space. The drive to the garden is also very nice as it is surrounded by parks and flower road. It was really green all around when I went thanks to all the rain California had lately. I walked the whole garden in about 30 mins including taking time to stop and take picture so it is very small as compared to other gardens. Very clean and the nature sound here is sooooo calming~ i will def be a regular here to just quickly stop by and walk before work/during my lunch break just to feel something lol. I wish pets were allowed so my dawgs can enjoy this walk with me. read more

See all

Nothing beats a trip to a slice of paradise practically in your own backyard! The Japanese Garden is a lush garden filled with amazing architecture, design, wildlife and tranquility. I've been fortunate enough to stroll through a few times over the last decade or so as a LA Valley/San Fernando Valley resident. Located in the heart of SFV inside Woodley Park near Woodley Avenue / Victor Blvd closeby the Woodley Park Metro G - Orange Line Station. It's Open Monday - Thursday 9:30 AM -12 PM and 1PM 3:30 PM. I recommend going during the morning before Noon or for the last hour in the summer and bringing plenty of water. The do require reservations for the garden, but admission is completely complimentary (as free as the parking). Love taking in the beautiful plants, trees, bamboo, streaming water, birds (herons, ducks, misc others) and koi fish. If you looked up hidden gems on Wikipedia I feel The Japanese Garden of San Fernando Valley should be at the very top of the images shown. Everything is well preserved and kept up. Perfect place to reflect, meditate, draw, or just enjoy. Good date spot and perfect mini staycation vacation spot #TravelLikeALocal Q Tip: Use the bathroom before enter the garden or you'll be waiting until you're done with your stroll for sure. Learned this the hard way my very first trip here lol but I was hydrated if nothing else. read more

So, I finally got to visit this place, because everywhere I Google a nice Japanese garden ; this place always pops up. First of all, this place is kind of hidden next to the archery park. I had to drive around 3x trying to find this place because my Google maps and my waze kept telling me I had arrived. Up on arrival, I asked the security guard at the front gate and he told me to come back with my reservation time which was at 1230pm and I got there at 1220pm.. the guard wouldn't let anyone let in early.. When I started exploring this garden, it really didn't impress me and I had a time limit of 1 hour to explore so that made me rush exploring around. It is a small garden with one small waterfall. I guess I was expecting more since this place kept coming up on my Google search.. I'd give this place a C+ at best. The Japanese gardens in San diego's Balboa Park and the garden in San Francisco. read more

See all

This is a very beautiful and accessible location I highly recommend for a relaxing stroll or a cute date! read more

I've wanted to visit here forever, but the Covid years and no weekend hours have made it difficult. But I was able to go on a Thursday and loved it! Went to see the Star Trek building, but the house towards the back of the path was amazing and my favorite part. Free parking, free calendar, and very nice staff who explained the layout thoroughly. Nice way to spend 30 minutes. read more

See all

Absolutely gorgeous! This Japanese Garden is so peaceful- I've visited quite a few times and still can't get over how beautiful it is here. It's smaller than some of the other gardens in LA but I feel that makes it a little less overwhelming which is nice. The only disappointing part is the staff. The worst experience I had was the last time I went for a special occasion with my family. We were greeted by seemingly unhappy staff that right off the bat told us not to stop to take photos, which we were very confused by. The whole time as we were strolling the garden, we felt as if we were being watched and followed which made for an anxiety ridden day. Not exactly what you want when you visit a garden. I hope this negative environment changes soon because I would love to visit again. read more

The Japanese Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Van Nuys, California

See all

So peaceful and serene. I recently found out about this garden and took a nice stroll around. I will return for more walks here read more

This place is absolutely beautiful. I'm a huge fan and avid frequenter of Japanese gardens, and botanical gardens in general, and was very impressed by the size and layout of this one. It is very well-kept and honestly it was not crowded at all when we went. I believe they cap it at 15 people per hour so it's easy to have a very quiet stroll alone or with someone you care about. There are waterfalls, small islands, bodegas to sit in, geese walking around, and all sorts of wonderful things to see. Parking is extremely easy and plentiful. All around a really nice experience and I plan to be back in the future. read more

See all