Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas - Serenity in Hermann Park
84This last weekend, my husband accompanied me to the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park. Living in Houston, Texas for many years, amazingly it was his first visit ever to this magnificent garden and he was impressed. I had been there many years ago when the garden was fairly new and the plantings much smaller. It has matured into thing of great beauty, but the word that primarily pops into my mind is serenity.
Located at 6000 Fannin Street just north of the Texas Medical Center, it is a public garden operated by the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department. It is also just a small portion of the much larger 500 acre Hermann Park and does not seem to be widely publicized. At least most of the people I talk to do not realize that this gem of a Japanese Garden is right here in the midst of our city.
Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas
Crape myrtles in bloom in Japanese Garden - Houston
Japanese Garden - Houston, Texas
Japanese Garden photo
Ducks in Japanese Garden
It has water elements and rocks and plantings much like one would expect to see in a Japanese Garden.
What makes this particular garden so special is the use of native Texas pink granite taken primarily from the Marble Falls part of the state.
These large and small pieces of granite boulders were positioned into the waterfall areas and also form points of interest within the park.
World renowned Japanese landscape architect Ken Nakajima was consulted and his services were utilized when this garden was first constructed back in 1992.
The genesis of this Japanese Garden came about because of a visit by former Prime Minister Kaifu.
Ultimately the land was donated for this garden by the City of Houston. A gift from the Japanese entity, the Commemorative Association of World Expo Fund of Japan, as well as additional charitable foundation support made this Japanese Garden idea a reality.
The Japanese tea-house was built in Japan and reassembled by craftsmen here on location in Houston. It is a special type of construction that uses no nails in holding the building together. Signifying mutual friendship, it was a gift from Japan.
The welcoming lantern that one first sees when passing through the gate was a gift from Houston's sister city of Chiba, Japan. It is constructed of solid granite.
The Yukimi lantern across the pond was also given to Houston for use in the Houston Japanese Garden by the City of Chiba, Japan.
Recent updates have been added in February of 2009 with the help of Japanese landscape architect Terunobu Nakai and were implemented by landscape engineer and gardener Hiroshi Iwasaki. The changes have made this American styled Japanese Garden more authentic to what one might find in Japan.
I am no expert in Japanese Gardens other than having strolled through several different ones on various trips.
What unifies all of them, in my opinion, is the simplicity of design that seems to impart a feeling of tranquility, harmony, beauty and serenity as one relaxes in these beautiful settings.
Considering that this Japanese Garden sits in the 4th largest city in the United States and is positioned in a centrally located urban park, one feels far removed from all of the hustle and bustle while inside the confines of the garden.
A great many photos were taken with my digital camera last Saturday. A few plants and shrubs were in bloom punctuating the green spaces. The rush of water spilling over rocks both large and small is a sound so soothing that the overall feeling when one is in this sublime garden is one of relaxation.
The ducks and squirrels found in this park are quite used to seeing people and appear to be quite tame. Also viewed by us were herons, fish and turtles.
If you decide to visit the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, wear some good walking shoes and comfortable clothing. There is no entrance fee and amentiies include a water fountain and restrooms.
There are some benches scattered throughout the garden where one can sit and contemplate or meditate.
The garden entrance can be found by the Jones Reflection Pool in Hermann Park.
This Japanese Garden was designed in a Daimyo style.
The entrance is a dry landscape designed garden. As one strolls through the grounds, take the time to enjoy different vistas and be sure and pay attention to and delight in the smallest of details.
Let the serenity and tranquility wash over you as you enjoy the very peaceful Japanese Gardens in Houston, Texas. Hope you enjoy these many photographs of the portion of our day spent meandering the scenic and tranquil grounds as a part of the larger Hermann Park.
Japanese Garden scenery in Houston, Texas
Views in Japanese Garden, Houston
- JAPANESE GARDEN HISTORY
Japanese Garden History - History of Japanese gardens from the Asuka Period to the modern era.
Japanese landscaping
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 List Price: $11.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $29.95 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $36.95 List Price: $39.99 |
Japanese Garden scenery in Houston, Texas
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Landscaping with bamboo
 | Amazon Price: $54.67 List Price: $60.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $13.32 List Price: $26.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $67.84 List Price: $75.00 |
More scenes in Japanese Garden - Houston, Texas
Click thumbnail to view full-size
If you would like to tell us about beautiful sites in your area and wish to earn some money at the same time click here to start writing today! No cost involved!
Japanese Garden scenery in Houston, Texas
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Some additional photos taken at the Japanese Garden relating to a visit from my Aunt Arry in April, 2000.
Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas
More sites in and around Houston by Peggy W...
- January Day at Discovery Green Park in Houston ~ Ice Sculpting, Ice Skating and More with Photos
Photos of a day in Houston's downtown park. See kids, dogs, & people having fun skating, playing, watching competitive ice sculpting & dining. + Videos
Japanese Garden in Hermann Park
Some sites an easy day trip from Houston...
Location of Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, Houston, TX
Japanese Garden in Hermann Park - Do you like visiting Japanese Gardens?
See results without votingGalveston, Texas Vacation ~ Shrimp Boats, Fishing...( hub)
And some hubs from nearby Galveston...
- Galveston, Texas Vacation ~ Shrimp Boats, Fishing, Historic Strand and Harbor ~ Pictures and YouTube
- St. Patrick the Saint ~ St. Patrick's Church ~ Galveston Island Attraction in Texas
- Galveston Attraction ~ Bishop's Palace ~ Day-tripping to Galveston Island
- Linocut Prints of Eaton Memorial Chapel ~ Hurricanes and More ~ Galveston Island, Texas
- Galveston Tx. Vacation ~ Galveston History ~ Linocut of Dazzling White Sacred Heart Church
- Galveston Island ~ UTMB Galveston ~ Old Red ~ Galveston Beaches
- Texas - Galveston - Railroad Museum - Memories
CommentsLoading...
So enchanting! Awesome pictures!! VOTED UP AND RATED BEAUTIFUL AND AWESOME!!
Thanks Jorge,
I know that you would love seeing the Japanese Garden in Houston if you make it over this way. Thanks for the comment.
Hello Eiddwen,
So glad that I could introduce the Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas to you. It is just a piece of the larger Hermann Park, but such a nice piece! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing...loved the pictures. Next time I go to Houston, I know where to go for sure.
Peggy I am bookmarking all of these last ones into 'My favourite hubs'.
Your photos are amazing and you really do have the gift to bring your hubs to life.
I am bookmarking so that I can refer back to them anytime for inspiration.
Carry on creating these hubs Peggy and I push all buttons here.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Hello Journey,
That was a fun day with my mother and aunt visiting the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park. We were showing my aunt visiting from Wisconsin many different areas in Houston, Texas and I think that she really enjoyed herself here and elsewhere. Thanks for the comment.
Peggy, this garden looks lovely. Serene indeed and what excellent photography! Your mom and aunt look like they are having a great time. Thanks for sharing this.
Greetings 2besure,
Thanks for commenting on this Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas hub. Obviously from your comment you love gardens. This particular one in Hermann Park is a beauty!
There is nothing so calming and spiritual as a beautiful garden. It is worth the money to make it happen! Voted up
Hello Seventh Isle,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed these pictures from the Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas. It is one of many great places in Hermann Park that folks in this city have access to visiting and enjoying. Thanks for the comment.
Beautiful pictures :)
Hello Truckstop Sally,
The Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas is just that...a tranquil and peaceful place right in the middle of town. Glad that you enjoyed this view of the garden with pictures and thanks for leaving a comment.
Beautiful tour -- complete with pictures. Such a tranquil peaceful place -- right in the middle of town. Quite an oasis. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Tony,
Glad that you could visit this Japanese Garden in Houston's Hermann Park via this hubpage since you live a bit of a distance away...South Africa to be exact. I like visiting your part of the world via your hubs as well. Thanks for the comment.
This really looks like my kinda place! I would love to be able to visit this garden - it just looks so lovely!
Thanks so much for sharing the gorgeous pix too.
Love and peace
Tony
Hello katrinasui,
Thanks for visiting the Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas via this hub. I agree that it is beautiful as are other areas in Hermann Park.
What a beautiful garden.Lovely hub.
Thanks, usedmotor.
I see your blog this is nice. you want a best Japanese engines please visit our site.
Hi billyaustindillon,
Hermann Park holds special meaning for me because when I lived in the nurse's dorm in the Medical Center (oh so many years ago!), the park was just north (as you know) and it offered so much by way of entertainment and relaxation amidst a pretty natural setting. Just walking amidst the trees...nice!
Sounds as if you really like that area also.
Yes been there many a time - fall is lovely with the maples etc - I am sure I have been there in Winter. Yes we send a lot of time there at the zoo and the Natural History Museum and the Children's museum is just around the corner. I used to ride around that road through the park and down the bayou
Hi billyaustindillon,
You seem to know this area well. What times of the year have you visited the Japanese Gardens in Hermann Park? So far, I have been there in the Spring and Summer. Am sure the Fall is equally beautiful. Hermann Park is a real treasure with all that it encompasses for Houstonians and visitors to this fair city. Thanks for the visit and comment.
Peggy as I have said before you should be working with the Houston Tourism Board. These are lovely gardens in a lovely setting - near the Houston zoo and NAtural History museum they make a great day out, relaxing day in the sun and shade and the kids love them with that new train. It has become popular I noticed for wedding and Quinceañero photos.
Hi Betty,
I know many people who are unaware of the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park's existence. I guess it is not advertised much...but it is definitely worth a visit. Very peaceful place in the middle of the city!
I lived in Houston for several years, and I don't think I ever went to the Japanese Garden. Maybe I'll check it out next time I'm in town.
Greetings GmaGoldie,
Nice to know that you share a love of Japanese Gardens. I love gardens of all sorts and we are just lucky to have these particular ones in Houston, Texas. Nice to know of the ones in Rockford, Illinois. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
I love Japanese gardens and the photos you shared with us were wonderful! Rockford, Illinois has the Anderson Gardens which are amazing! Thank you so much!
Hello Coolmon2009,
If you pass by the general area of the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, Houston, Texas frequently...you will definitely have to check it out when you have a few extra moments to spend. Let me know what you think when you visit. Thanks!
I never knew that park is that pretty I pass by it a few times each week. I will have to check it out thanks for sharing
Hello Envoy,
Yes, the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park offers a serene setting in which to get lost for a few hours anytime one would wish. It is also beautiful almost anytime of the year with different things in bloom. Thanks for visiting the hub and commenting.
Beautiful I could get lost there for a few hours :) Great hub!
Hi Gypsy Willow,
In that case, glad that I could introduce this one to you. Thanks for your comment.
I love Japanese gardens and your hub is beautiful
Hi Alicia,
You are most welcome and thanks for the comment.
Thank you for publishing this beautiful article!
Thanks LondonGirl.
lovely hub, and the photos are great
Hi Jimmy, What you said is very flattering however that flat map would have vast empty spaces on it. We can look to other hubpage writers to fill in most of the spaces on a world map. Again, thanks for the very complimentary comment. Very happy to share the photos with you. I had fun taking them.
You and your photos peggy ! So beautiful. You need to make a blog or website collage of all the places you have been. Have a website that has the world laid flat and have the little location pins and then when anyone clicks them they can see some of the places you have been and or written about. Great hub
Hi Marilea,
Let me know if you need any more liriope. I've got some to spare!
Hi Teresa, Sounds as though you have some wonderful memories of your travels and experiences. Seeing a Japanese Garden IN JAPAN.......wonderful!
guess i'll have to redo my yard----
There are so many people in Japan, that the formal garden is necessarily a place for quiet and contemplation. Some of my favorite places to visit were Temple gardens, as one could be sure of one's quiet mood being respected. Thank you for these lovely photographs -- as you say, the central location in such a big city is a real tribute to the serenity they afford the visitor.
Hi Kiran, Happy to share this beautiful garden with you.
WOW ! Its so beautiful ! thanks a lot :)
Hi Nolimits Nana, You are correct. Japanese Gardens offer much in the way of serenity. Thanks for your faithful reading and leaving comments.
Hi Melody,
It is indeed a place to relax and unwind. Thanks for your comment.
Ah yes Pete........you surely do have a lasting gift from Japan in your cherry trees. I've only viewed them through photos, etc. but my mother-in-law got to see them in person one year. Spectacular!
What a beautiful spot! I agree that Japanese gardens have a certain serenity about them.
Beautiful garden...and looks very tranquil indeed, thanks, Peggy.
Thos places are very pretty. We have our own gift from Japan here in Washington, the cherry trees that are spectacular in spring.
Peggy W Hub Author 12 months ago
Hi mdlawyer,
Very complimentary comment about the Japanese Garden in Houston, Texas. Thank you!