Japanese Garden
Garden · Buffalo State ·

Japanese Garden

Garden · Buffalo State ·

Japanese garden trails, flower beds, and lake views

cherry blossoms
japanese garden
history museum
beautiful place
peaceful
serene
pictures
take pictures
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null
Japanese Garden by null

Information

1 Museum Ct, Buffalo, NY 14216 Get directions

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Information

Static Map

1 Museum Ct, Buffalo, NY 14216 Get directions

+1 716 838 1249
bfloparks.org
@bfloparks
𝕏
@bfloparks

Features

•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Jan 29, 2026

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"I also visit the Japanese Gardens near the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo for serene landscapes and a calming contrast to urban life." - Harrison Pierce Harrison Pierce Harrison Pierce is a freelance writer and digital nomad passionate about personal finance and travel. He is traveling full-time with the help of points and miles and enjoys connecting with people on the ground. His work has been published in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, USA Today Blueprint, Matador Network, and other publications.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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Japanese Garden

Parker B.

Google
Just a great place to relax. Sat down and did some work on my laptop while enjoying a brisk morning with the sun reflecting off the water. The best work I've done all year was on their bench. Highly recommend if you enjoy small quiet places with a beautiful view.

Books

Google
The place is nice and scenic. It is typically used for outdoor events like weddings. There is a terrace with nice roman columns that add a classical touch to an already nice building. The views are also quite scenic given that this place is right by the park and water. When the sun gets hot, it lands with full blast as there is no shade in the garden. Generally a nice garden.

Leslie J.

Google
Great walking path that connects to a freeway overpass that goes over to the park on the other side of the freeway. Nice little lake on this side, with great views.

Singhania G.

Google
Visited Japanese Garden for Cherry blossom 🌸 sightseeing with my family. It is just behind the Buffalo History Museum. We went there a bit early morning to avoid rush. It was an amazing experience seeing cherry blossom 🌸 everywhere. A nice place to walk around the mirror lake and take some family photos with the blossoms. It was bit raining when we went to this garden but worth it. The whole walking trail is about 0.75 miles approximate. There are some broad with the description of the garden, so it’s must to read the background of the Japanese Garden.

Kate K.

Google
We visited for the Cherry Blossom Fesitval spring 2025. Beautiful place to see. There were tons of people for the festival. I would love to visit again in the summer after all the other trees and bushes have their leaves or flowers. The only thing that I was disappointed at was the number of cherry blossom trees, I thought there would be many more than there were, but the ones that were there were so pretty!

Nick O.

Google
So cool to see it in bloom! These trees are amazing and the water looks so nice and calming. Good area too. Great spot for artists to paint as well as picnic, right next to the history museum is a bonus

PRI

Google
Visited this during the Annual Cherry Blossom festival and it was wonderful to see the blossoms and all the wonderful live music and other performances, both inside and outside . The food trucks had long queues so business seemed brisk! The museum was also open and made for a fascinating history lesson!

rockeddirector

Google
The Japanese Garden at Mirror Lake is a gem inside a jewel. Olmsted’s Delaware Park is the jewel and this garden is a testament to the volunteers who keep it. It’s cherry trees bloom magnificently every spring and remind us of our short time here together. It’s a great place to relax and reflect of the importance of parks in an urban setting.(note: the unfortunate 1950’s Rte 198 gashes through Olmsted’s stunning park and spoils what once must been a magnificent total vista…Robert Moses was the anti- Frederick Law Olmsted)
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Teresa B.

Yelp
What a beautiful and relaxing hidden gem behind the history museum in Buffalo. I love visiting the Japanese garden while walking, riding a bike, or having a picnic. The three elements of a successful Japanese garden design is: water, stone, and plants. This Japanese garden in Buffalo is a perfect example of a balanced Japanese garden. Around the end of April every year they have the Japanese blossom festival which is fun to go to. The Japanese garden is an exciting place to visit to relax, reflect, and have fun in the warmer days.
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Linda M.

Yelp
This is a tranquil little park behind the Buffalo Historical Museum. I've been here a few times but this was the first time when the cherry blossoms were in bloom. We went on Monday thinking we'd avoid the weekend crowd but I guess there were a few other people that had the same idea! Though it was so nice seeing all the people and families walking around. The other parts of the Japanese garden are really nice but the cherry blossoms are the topping on the cake. Sadly again this year no festival is being held so you'll just have to enjoy the beauty of the park. :). I love the bonsai trees out on one of the little islands. You need to check this place out. It's definitely a hidden treasure in Buffalo. 2021-58
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Ala L.

Yelp
It's a nice getaway from the city to make a pleasant visit to this well kept garden. It is medium sized area and we are thinking of a super huge area like the Botanical Gardens we have here in Illinois. If this location is not too far from where you are coming from, it is worth your time to visit. It is hidden behind a smaller museum and we thought we missed it based on the GPS findings. You will be pleasantly surprised to see the garden which would only take a 30 minute stroll to walk around. We didn't get finished to the end since we think it ends when the pathway ends. It was near the end of the afternoon and so we didn't finish walking it all. Again, there could have been more although we saw from the distance that it only curved to the bridge or highway. If there was more, please send me some ideas. See my pictures. If you find my review interesting or had a different perspective, hit the thumbs up button below. See my other reviews and photos by swiping left and hitting the thumbs up as well.
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Frans D.

Yelp
What a nice and relaxing park this is. No matter what time of year you stop by here, it has that sense of serenity. The background of the History Museum with Abe Lincoln overseeing the park is just wonderful. The cherry blossoms are for sure the high point of the season. The 198 (Scajaquada Expy) in the background (esp. the noise of the traffic) is the only detraction.
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Rebecca H.

Yelp
What a treasure to have in Buffalo! We went to see the cherry blossoms in bloom and we were not the only ones. The place was pretty busy, there was live music, and the cherry trees did not disappoint. The park is modeled after one in our Japanese sister city and has been possible thanks to financial support from both cities and their residents. The islands in the lake used to be accessible by bridge but the bridge was removed decades ago after vandalism on the islands. The trees were lovely with a mix of pink, pale pink, and white.
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Sam E.

Yelp
Happy Earth Day! What a great place to have a picnic, meet up with friends, or take a leisurely stroll around the garden. It's once of the places I'll bring my family members when they're visiting or joining me for a bike ride. Follow the path/trail to the rest of Delaware Park. Now is an even better time as it is peak cherry blossom season (must visit now!). There's plenty of parking in the Buffalo History Museum as well as street parking along Nottingham Terrace.
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Mark T.

Yelp
I can only imagine how much nicer the experience would have been if I visited in the Spring when everything was in bloom! Instead, I was here in the early fall, when the flowers are no longer bloomed, but the leaves haven't yet had a chance to show all their pretty colors. Regardless of colors, this is an excellent place to take a pleasant stroll, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the architecture/design of the gardens themselves. While I believe the Japanese Gardens strictly speaking are a more confined area, they are part of a larger park. Buffalo didn't seem to me to be as fast-paced a city as NYC, so if you find yourself in town, and you're looking for a way to spend a pleasant, relaxing afternoon or evening, you should definitely pay a visit here. Especially if you're also visiting the Buffalo History Museum.
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Kiran K.

Yelp
This park is absolutely one of my favorites with its serenity most of the year. If you're coming here during the 2ish weeks of cherry blossom season then expect to see dozens of groups of people taking photos with the beautiful pink blooms. But if you come here any other time of year it's fairly quiet most of the time. Either way, this little park is soo beautiful and well kept and the perfect place for photoshoots
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Hannah K.

Yelp
I am APPALLED at the fact that this gorgeous garden didn't have a listing on Yelp for the longest time! Is it that hidden of a gem? I didn't think so, but apparently it is! The Japanese Gardens came about in the 1970's, a gesture of sistership between Buffalo and Kanazawa, Japan! The gardens themselves were tended to and renovated over the years, and eventually Buffalo Olmstead Parks Conservancy took over maintenance of the gardens in 2004. The gardens are a small space aside the Buffalo History Museum, certainly worth exploring if you find yourself visiting the museum, or taking a walk in the area! The gardens are blooming with beautiful foliage, rock walkways, and shrines. This is the site of the annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival, fitting as it is the home of dozens of cherry blossom trees which bloom ever year in the springtime!
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Alex L.

Yelp
If you haven't been to the Japanese Gardens yet, go! It's basically the backyard of the Buffalo History Museum, but you do not need to buy an admission to go visit the park and walk around. It's quaint and beautiful and especially during Cherry Blossom bloom it's an especially great time to go. Just recently, the Cherry Blossom festival was just wrapped up here and the festivities really made me feel like I was transported to another world on a bright, warm day. The Japanese Gardens in Buffalo aren't huge, but they are special and they are ours for the community and I'm glad we have them in our backyard :).
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Sireesha A.

Yelp
I always liked taking a stroll in the Japanese gardens with its quaint atmosphere and serene surroundings but it's especially lovely in spring. The Cherry blossoms really come to life and it feels like you are in a flower field. The whole area is quite small and won't take too long to walk around but no matter how much time you spend, you feel like staying a bit more. The history museum is a great backdrop for the beautiful trees and the lake. It's great in every season but spring is my favorite time to visit for obvious reasons. It can get quite crowded during the weekends in spring so try venturing out during the weekdays if you can. Who needs to go all the way to DC when you can see all the grandeur right here in our Japanese gardens!
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Dab L.

Yelp
Well, I haven't been here in too many years to count... last time was way before I started to Yelp about things! (See what I did there) so I'm Yelping about these quaint yet sophisticated gardens... just as lovely as I remember, way more mature plants now... it has filled in beautifully! The rock sculptures richly enhance the beauty of the gardens... the paths are very walkable, though some lead to dead ends and the whole property is not very large... the doggos and I enjoyed our jaunt immensely! There were picnicking groups, couples strolling and families cavorting about... very pleasant place to visit
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Doris M.

Yelp
I have been behind the Historical Museum before,actually many times,but never took notice that it was a Japanese Garden. Today, I went there specifically for the "Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival" for the first time. It ran from 11:15am til around 3:00pm. I had such a good time. They had Folk dancers, A Japanese Chorus, Kendama Naoki (very cool), JGB Shibuki - Japanese Taiko Drum Group, Pinky Poodle Doodle , (a Rock Band), & The Molice (another Japanese band). They were so talented, cute & fun. There were many merchandise stands,which I spent a FORTUNE at,but it was worth it. I will definitely go again next year.
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Richard P.

Yelp
After we went to the black sheep, we stopped at the Japanese garden by The Historical Society building. I was surprised to see the Cherry blossoms already starting to bloom. This is a wonderful place to visit this time of year. Lots of people walking around and taking pictures. One of the excellent seasonal sites around Buffalo!
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Charlynn R.

Yelp
This is a really lovely garden for a quick stroll. Especially when the cherry blossoms are blooming. We went on a Sunday evening and it was crazy busy. Everyone for the most part was respectful wearing masks still. Lots of people taking photos of the beautiful trees of course. There was a violinist playing which was lovely.
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Dot K.

Yelp
This is a lovely spot on Hoyt Lake behind the History Museum. This afternoon I was lucky to visit while all of the Cherry trees were in bloom. What a gorgeous site! And, to add to the experience, there was a gentleman playing music on his saxophone. Mid April is definitely the best time of year to visit this lovely garden.
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Eric D.

Yelp
This is an absolutely fantastic and beautiful place in Delaware park located behind the History museum. This place is so peaceful and pretty with large flowering Japanese cherry trees, a tea garden and picturesque views over the lake with two small islands. There is plenty of seating space to sit and relax and just listen to the birds or the quiet of the day. During the spring, the cherry trees are beautiful while in bloom and a sight to behold. They hold an annual cherry blossom festival here each year too!
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Lizzy K.

Yelp
Came across the Japanese Garden at the Historical Society by chance on Instagram. A local buffalo photographer kept posting the cherry blossoms in season on her posts! So, my teenage daughter and I decided to take the 40 minute drive to Buffalo to take pictures! Worth the 40 minute drive, just stunningly beautiful on a 60 degree day! Would definitely go back in summertime to walk around the water and gardens all around. It's like a hidden gem by buff state and art museum in North Buffalo. I can't believe how many field trips I had gone too at the Historical society over the years growing up in North Buffalo, but never knew how beautiful the outside was! Bring your camera!
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Yuchen F.

Yelp
What a wonderful place for a weekend afternoon walk! It is so beautiful when the Sakura blooms and made me feel like I was in Japan. Nice place to take your little furry friends to have a walk!
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Maddox S.

Yelp
A beautiful place to enjoy picnics, a romantic walk, capturing photos or just read a book by a beautifully bloomed tree. I have always loved this serene, little oasis in the big city. The garden is right behind the history museum and not far from the art museum if you like to ponder and learn! The water is beautiful and there's so many little things about the garden that bring the Japanese culture to life! If you happen to catch the Cherry Blossom festival here around the first week of May, do that! The vibe is inspiring and the trees are extraordinary.
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Amanda W.

Yelp
Absolutely gorgeous space! Tucked away between the history museum and the 198, today was my first experience here and I loved it. It's beautiful, peaceful, almost serene. We brought our beagle with us and walked the garden, and got some beautiful photos. Really enjoyable space!
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Heather K.

Yelp
When the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom, this park is just beautiful to take pictures in and walk around. It does get busy when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom as many people will get engagement pictures or family photos done, so if you are going to go, I would suggest going early. The Japanese Gardens are well kept and are very inviting.
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Katie O.

Yelp
These beautiful blooms always make for a gorgeous backdrop to any picture. Whether you're there for a festival, a leisurely stroll or some quiet contemplation, this place is good for the soul.