Normandale Japanese Garden

If you're from twin cities and haven't been/heard it's probably because it's hard to find unless you're in the community college parking lot. This is a small, but beautifully maintained garden! It really feels like an oasis into something special.

What a wonderful gift to the city, and such a pleasant way to spend an hour or so of your day.Having been to Japan, I can tell you the items here are authentic and true to what you would find in Tokyo.The various water features, rocks, and plants enable you to have quiet reflection, meditation, or whatever you're seeking.I would absolutely make a habit of coming here if I lived in the area.

Not that much there thereBut what is there is quite niceAnd heckuva priceThe only way I found out about this place was through Yelp. It has been on my bookmarks list for probably at least five years. Unless you are a student at Normandale, I am not sure how else anyone else would find out about it.The grounds are completely gated with only one entrance, but there are plenty of signs around campus pointing you which way to go. There is no admission fee, but donations are suggested. I dropped two bucks on the way out.I'd have to say this is nicer than the Japanese garden at Como. They are both pretty small, but this one is a bit bigger. Several bridges, structures, and water displays which give it an authentic feel (although I have never been to Japan - bucket list). Seems like it would be a cool place for wedding pictures that is not quite as played as some other more well-known places around town.

It's nice to find a little Japanese garden here in the Twin Cities. It is peaceful, well-maintained, and has some really big koi fish. The garden is not huge, but it has a few buildings, bridges, and a nice walking path. I love the trees and pond Also, it has a parking lot nearby and is easy to find at the college. It's not a garden that takes long to walk through but it's a nice place to stop if you're nearby.

It's not a large place but quite peaceful. Hidden off to the back of Normandale Community College, the Japanese Garden is a mini utopia . There are many unique trees and plants that surround fish inhabited ponds (including a waterfall!) Some smaller buildings and unique bridges also reside in the area that contribute towards the overall beauty. There's some interesting history behind this place. Take a moment to do the research if you want to learn about it.It doesn't take long to walk around the paths but when you're here, it's more about taking in the environment rather than focusing on the size. It's a great place if you want to clear your mind and just take a short breather from life.

What a little gem on the Normandale College campus! I found this by google and it was really close to our hotel. You have to walk a bit from the parking to the actual gardens. Once you step across the threshold, you are transported to a different land. It's well maintained. There are coy in the pond which are fun to watch. There are many photo ops here. They have two bridges and a nice walking path. It's a chance to unplug and relax. Best of all, it's free! We went right after the rain so I suggest wearing shoes with treads on them. The path is curvy and pebbled.

Wow...what a pleasant surprise find! I knew of this college because my mother used to teach the Japanese Language here, before she retired, but never did she once mention about this beautiful garden! So it was a real surprise to find a traditional Japanese garden like this here. This is a quaint pretty and serene garden located right inside the Normandale Community College, open to the public. It was my first visit to this garden today as I came to partake in the annual Japanese Garden Festival (which I've never heard of before until a few days ago!). The festivities took place outside the garden and inside the college. We got to watch Japanese dancers and Taiko Drummers outside in the garden and inside the college we enjoyed a Karate and a Japanese fencing demonstration and arts and crafts. There were yummy food items for sale, not necessarily Japanese, but good and inexpensive. I enjoyed and shared a wrap sandwich with a friend which was cut in half for $5.00, so it was a pretty good price and yes, we got to eat healthy! Overall, a nice enjoyable time!

Having lived in Japan and spending 7 years of my life obtaining a Master's degree in Japanese history, I admit that Im quite picky about experiencing all things "Japan" when I travel. But, while there are elements of this garden that seem more generally Asian than specifically Japanese, it is a great place to relax or do a photoshoot.Minnesota is blessed by the fact that there are at least 4 decent Japanese gardens in the Twin Cities area. This is perhaps the largest--it is a spacious area behind the campus of Normandale Community College. One great thing is that it is open year-round making for great photo opportunities during the beautiful autumn season in Minnesota, or after a fresh coating of snow. Also, it is worth mentioning that there is no admission--always a plus.As far as the garden itself, there are some typical elements like the yukimi lantern, waterfall, and koi pond. But there are a couple unique elements which set this garden apart. There is a rather ostentatious Benten-do (smaller than the one in Ueno, Tokyo but with a similar design), and there is a deep red paint used for the bridges. I would prefer to see vermilion used in this setting, but I think the red works in this case considering the "audience."It's fantastic to have little pieces of Japan located in our city and I would recommened a visit to anyone who has interest in Japanese culture. However, if I had to choose, I would rate the gardens at the Landscape Arboretum, Como Park, and Carleton College as much higher quality.

It's a wonderful small garden tucked away behind a community college. The entire campus is beautiful, but this garden has traditional Japanese architecture, landscaping, and achieves the serenity you hope to find on a garden stroll.

Pretty garden, with plenty of places to sit and relax. (But, alas, not to picnic--food and drink are not allowed in the garden.) At the entrance, there are a couple of vending machines selling food for the ~10 large koi, all of which seemed to be hiding in the small back area of the pond.To get to the pond, you need to hike from the parking lot on a broad walkway that passes behind the bulk of the student center. On a hot, humid day, this can seem quite a trek.