I've been driving past these gardens for years but never bothered to check them out. Until yesterday.I had heard they were really beautiful, and I didn't have any previous plans, so I decided to pay a visit to The Japanese Gardens located in the Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley. Yes, you heard right...tranquil, serene Japanese gardens located in Van Nuys - talk about your yin and yang!
When I got there, I discovered that they were celebrating their25th year in existence (25 years? Who knew they were even there?). Yes, 25 years ago, Dr. Koichi Kawana conceived and created these authentic 6 1/2 acre Japanese gardens in collaboration with Donald Tillman's Water Reclamation Plant.
There are actually three gardens in one - a dry zen meditation garden, a wet-strolling garden (with waterfalls, lakes and streams) and a tea garden, housing the Shoin building and an authentic tea house projecting over the lake.
When you arrive, you must show ID and register your name with the guard. Then, you're told to check in at the gift shop where you're given passes and maps. After noticing the cameras on the premises, I asked the attendant why there was all the security. It's to guard against possible terrorist threats, he says. Terrorist threats? Who's going to terrorize a bunch of bonsai trees and bamboo in the valley? Then I'm told it's not the gardens but the water reclamation plant that they're protecting. If something should happen to the plant, the whole sewage system in the entire San Fernando Valley would be affected. Oh, okay. Well, that makes sense.
The entire water supply for all the gardens, not to mention three golf courses, a wildlife preserve and several parks, is provided by the reclamation plant next door. This would account for the slight odor you smell when you're there - but it's really not that bad. Talk about "going green"! This place was probably one of the first "eco" gardens around!
Hardly anyone knows about this place, so there's actual peace and quiet as you experience these lovely gardens. What a celebration of blues and greens! The grounds are well-maintained and there are a few shaded seating areas along the paths so you can sit, relax and de-stress!
I hear you can even book the tea house for parties or weddings - which would probably be quite lovely.
So, would I recommend a visit? Yes, if you happen to be in the valley (or close to it), it's a nice place to check out. Admission is only $2-3.00, there's plenty of parking because no one really knows about it, and the vibe there is actually pretty calm and peaceful. It's a great valley place to re-charge your chi!
Quick Tips:
1- Visiting hours are limited! They offer docent-led tours by appointment only Monday through Thursday from 9:30am - 12 noon. Then open strolling is available from 12-4pm. The last entry time is 3:15 pm. Their hours on Sunday are 10:00am - 3:30pm.
2- Directions
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