The Japanese Garden

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.

So beautiful, and quiet. My friend and I arrived 20 min before closing and wished we had more time. But the tranquil atmosphere, beautiful esthetic and nature appeal was fantastic. Would love to return someday. Also the staff was super friendly and helpful.

I have been here many times in the past and I brought my daughter this time during the construction period. Doesn’t have the same vibe it used to. It’s pretty small but definitely peaceful. The public is very respectful. My complaint is there are way too many security guards stationed here. This disturbs the right to enjoy peace. Don’t need a security guard walking around our pathway to peace. Get out of our way!

This is a lovely place so peaceful and beautiful, an ideal place to spend some time to get away from the hustle of the city. Parking is free as well as admission. They close at 3:30 pm so you will want to make sure you get there with enough time to walk about leisurely. The grounds were very well maintained which was impressive. The only small issue I have is how early the close and I wish they were open on Fridays and Saturdays. Other than that I loved it here.

This place has a lovely atmosphere of exploration. It’s only a 30 minute walk around the paths, and they’re fun! There’s many water features like ponds, rivers, even a waterfall. This is also a water reclamation facility!! Which is super cool! It’s a beautiful place with plenty of areas to sit and enjoy the short downtime you have for breaks to mentally reset and tackle the rest of your day!

There was construction happening so we didn't get the full experience. But it was peaceful and teaming with wildlife and plant life. The lakes were abundant with giant Koa and Carp. There are benched throughout for those who have cause to rest.

a hidden gem! free entry, what more can you ask for? the water treatment plant definitely emits a smell, but it is not bad. took about 30 min to 45 min to get through thr garden.

Beautiful… but bring nose plugs and earplugs. 🌸✈️💩 The Japanese Garden has its charm—beautiful layout, friendly staff, and free admission. But if you’re coming for serenity, manage your expectations. It’s right next to a water reclamation plant, and unfortunately, it smells like it. Plus, being under the Van Nuys airport flight path means frequent plane noise. Not exactly zen. Geese and ducks waddle around freely, which is cute until you realize the paths are covered in poop. And on hot days, don’t expect much shade—though the pagoda offers some relief. This is a garden, not a park, so keep that in mind. No picnics, no lounging—just a nice (if smelly and noisy) stroll.
The staff is lovely and helpful, and the garden itself really is beautiful, which earns it its stars. But it’s not the peaceful escape you might be hoping for.

From never have visited this place in the 20 odd years living in the valley to coming a few times the last couple of months. It's a nice quaint and relaxing place to just unwind. During the first visit, they did have some slight construction going on. Same as second but this visit, we were told that construction will continue on for a few more months. And that the garden will be closed from November through January for ongoing construction. Wow, pretty long time so get in while you can. Parking situation, the guards opens the gate for you to enter. There's a small lot but parking is usually available. Entrance fee is free. Check in with you name and enter through the building. Garden entrance is where the construction is happening. So one section is closed but the whole garden is open. The property is well maintained which is great. This visit, we were curious to where all the turtles had went to. Did not see one the whole time we were there. Also as it's later in the season, the lily garden along the right side all have started to die leaving the pods. Which they're still quite beautiful. The fruits trees have also dropped all their fruits. Plus, majority of the ducks seemed to have migrated somewhere as well. The garden is still beautiful regardless. Strolling along the pathway and having a seat on the benches. Just taking the scene all in, tranquility. The tea house is also a nice spot for just relaxing and enjoying the place. It's covered so it's nice and cool if it hot out which today was. You could do the whole garden pretty fast if you're just walking along the path. But why do that. You need to take it all in. The tea house, the Japanese lantern, the cute little bridges, bamboos gardens, lily garden. They're all beautiful and need to be enjoyed. A nice easy wander through that's meant to be enjoyed.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

I chose a hot day to come visit, 94 degrees to be exact but it was still nice to walk in this garden. Super peaceful and serene. We saw a falcon hawk, ducks, fish - it was lovely. I went with my friend and we walked and talked and sat down in the pagoda. Its a lovely place to visit.

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

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.

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!

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!!!

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

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.

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

It's not the biggest park but it is a great value. It is nice to stroll down. They have incredible Japanese style gardens that are kept very well. My favorite are the lotus flowers that bloom seasonally. They have a tea house too! You only need about an hour to go through this garden but it's definitely worth it. My biggest critique is the hours. It's almost impossible to come here if you have a job.

This hidden gem in the valley is so peaceful and beautiful. I've lived here for 15 years and had yet to visit until recently. It's free to enter during business hours. It's small and will likely only take you about an hour to walk through but if you live close you could bring a book or meditate during your lunch hour. It was very warm the day we went and we forgot sunscreen and hats so luckily I thought to grab my umbrella from my car because there is no coverage. The grounds are well kept and the staff signing us in was very nice, friendly and helpful. There are bathrooms for public use too.

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.

I was fortunate to enjoy their Family Day. The garden is so clean and orderly. I liked exploring all the different paths and discovering the variety of birds that were about. There were docents throughout and some activities setup.

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.

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.

Serene environment, shockingly as it is in the middle of the SFV. much enjoyed our walk through.

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.

Always a pleasure to walk around and take in all the beautiful plants, and great use of reclaimed water. You can always catch some interesting birds and soothing sounds.

A great place to walk with your family. Very beautiful area, clean air and silence. We really liked it.

Hidden gem in the valley. It was free when we went but the hours are relatively limited. Beautiful grounds with fish, ducks and geese. My 3 year old enjoyed it.

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.

This is a small but beautifully scaped water garden. Mostly flatland so it's a great place to take a scenic walk with older adults and seniors. Pleasantly surprised to learn that they use reclaimed water because we couldn't tell with how clean it was. Would've loved to see koi and other variety of fish but it was just mostly tilapia. Admission at the time of visit was free though with some minor inconveniences as some features and paths were unavailable due to renovations. There is also free parking with a good number of spots. Hours of operation are a little tricky since they close for an hour in the middle. We and many others arrived at 11am and after a quick runover of garden etiquette, admission assured us it was plenty of time to see it all before they closed at 12. He was right because we were in an out in 20 minutes. Would've easily spent a good hour admiring the views in the garden but we decided to just have a brisk walk through since it was hot. Not a local so it's too far out to visit regularly but we do plan to come back next spring.

The Japanese gardens in Van Nuys is another oasis in La La Land. It is beautiful to stroll around the gardens and the lake that transports you out of the hustle and bustle of a big city and into a place of calm and serenity. As open spaces have diminished over many years, places like the Japanese gardens remain a beautiful spot to refresh and clear your mind in the beautiful atmosphere of mother nature.

Pretty novel place to visit in Van Nuys. It's a nice little escape (as much of an escape as you can) for the location. Gives enough Japanese garden vibes but I feel like it still could give more of an immersive peaceful experience. I might have visited on a particularly messy day since there was construction and stuff going on. I couldn't really immerse myself in the tranquil vibes lol. The tea house is a nice chill spot to sit and think. Lots of influencers in the wild taking their zen photos. Pretty amusing to look at. If you live in the area this is definitely worth visiting but I am not sure if this is worth a trek if you're not from Van Nuys. You need to go through the gate of the water reclamation plant to get to the venue so don't be confused (like me the first time lol)

I really want to visit this garden, it's not far from where I live and it sounds like a nice place to take a stroll and relax. I love Japanese gardens and it's nice to have one in the Valley. For a long time (years) during the pandemic they had it closed! I bookmarked it and kept checking on it here and there. Now it is finally open, but you have to register online to schedule your visit, which is fine, I have done that a lot. But their link doesn't work! People complain on social media, now I'll be one of them! Do they want people to come and visit because it doesn't seem like it! I hope they'll get it together and I'll be able to visit and update my review.

Beautiful and lovely grounds! Great place to mellow out! Parking is in the park's lot and so you walk about 500 feet from the lot to the entrance.

A beautiful and serene place to visit . I enjoyed the walk around the garden amongst the beautiful trees by the water and the Japanese garden pagodas

The Japanese Gardens are beautiful. Set in the San Fernando Valley, which is not beautiful, the Japanese Gardens is an oasis in an overcrowded, hot and smoggy City. You will love everything about the garden, from its beautiful surrounding lake, it's bridge and the foliage surrounding everything. It is quiet and peaceful at a place where you can collect yourself and simply reflect. There are so many beautiful flowers and the smell is wonderful. You will love this place.

Lovely place. Closed Friday and Saturday. FYI, they also close fairly early (4:00 pm). Last admission is at 3:15 pm. $5 entrance fee. $3 for seniors and children. Not giant but enough for a pleasant stroll. Plenty of flora as well as various birds. Charming and serene. Mostly backless benches to sit on however there is an area next to the Teahouse which has seating adjacent to a wall (by the tree trunk table). It's out of the sun and comfortable. I spent a few hours writing here. There are bathrooms by the office as well as by the Teahouse. Ample parking. No gift shop currently as they recently changed their non-profit status.

Beautiful place. i love coming here and super cheap. i need to visit more and enjoy the environment.

This place is very scenic and peaceful. A lot of different food to try. Love the entertainment.

What a quaint qem... finally able to find some time to discover this tranquil place...

I love this place, great place to find peace. You can make it a family outing or a 1st date