“Suiho-En” The Japanese Garden designed by Koichi Kawana
Suiho-En, which means Garden of Water and Fragrance, is a little sanctuary 20 minutes from busy Los Angeles.
Finding nature in this city can feel tricky most days. The overwhelming drought can be an issue when trying to enjoy a mountain hike like Runyon Canyon or Griffith Observatory.
So finding Suiho-En was a welcoming little escape. Surrounded by bamboo and geese, this magical and peaceful place offers one-hour semi-private visits to enjoy a quiet stroll.
Koichi Kawana was a post-war Japanese American garden designer, landscape architect, and teacher. He designed gardens in Los Angeles, San Diego, Colorado, and many other states before he passed away in 1990. He is well known for designing the bonsai collection for the Pavillion of Japanese Art at LACMA back in the 90s.
The gardens in LA offer tea service, however, in this instance, the facilities and tea houses were closed.
A Japanese tea garden [cha-niwa or roji] is a place for quiet reflection on the beauty of nature and the art of living in harmony.
I would highly recommend taking the time to experience the tea ritual if available.
Entrance is free to the public, but make sure to make a reservation, as access is limited.
A Japanese tea garden [cha-niwa or roji] is a place for quiet reflection on the beauty of nature and the art of living in harmony.
6100 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, CA 91406The Japanese Garden is a 6.5-acre public Japanese garden in Los Angeles, located in the Lake Balboa district in the central San Fernando Valley, adjacent to the Van Nuys and Encino neighborhoods.