This 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.

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.