Japanese Gardens

Japanese Garden, Huntington Gardens

“The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The rivers flow- and this is their will. The birds fly- this is their will. Human beings talk- this is their will. The seasons change, heaven sends down rain or snow, the earth occasionally shakes, the waves roll, the stars shine- each of them follows its own will. To be is to will and so is to become.” - D.T. Suzuki

Los Angeles plays host to a few Japanese Gardens. I had started my visits to these when the world was still recovering from Covid. Gardens were a wonderful option during those dark days that allowed those of us with a wanderlust to step out of the confinement of the four walls of our homes and enjoy a bit of wandering in the fresh air.

I was on the search of a Japanese tea ceremony when I stumbled upon the Whispering Pines tea house in Glendale. I never did get to attend a tea ceremony, but I did enjoy this haven of tranquility in the busy city.

Next on my list were the ethnic neighborhoods in Los Angeles which took me to Little Tokyo and this little Japanese Garden hidden in plain sight in the middle of downtown LA.

The Van Nuys Japanese garden was closed for the longest time. I didn’t know it was open until a friend of mine suggested it for our evening walk. As it turned out it is only a few days a week and that too from 9:00 to 3:00 with a break for lunch. If the hours suit a visit is definitely worth it.

In the words of Lafcadio Hearn, “A Japanese Garden is at once a picture and a poem; perhaps even more a poem than a picture.”

With reclaimed, recycled water being used for the water features this area has become a haven for the local birds. I was oh so tempted to join these birds in cooling off as I walked on a scorching hot day.

Many bridges crisscross around the water that flows around the entire property.

Waterfalls peek out through the green and brown.

One of the goals of a Japanese Garden is to create beauty through the balance of human and nature.

Most of the structures on the property were off limits but they dotted the landscape.

OMG! Is that a heron?

This trip to the Japanese gardens reminds me that I haven’t visited the Descanso Gardens for some time.