Japanese Garden

Review

One of two Gardens, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Japanese Garden is the simpler of the two. Also known as Seiwaen, it is joined to the Chinese Garden by the Bridge of Double Beauty.

The gardening techniques used are based on those used in Japan in the Muromachi period (1392 – 1568) to the Momoyama period (1568 – 1615). The stone lanterns, rocks and arched bridges give the same feel to the Garden as that of the traditional gardens in Japan.

There are shelters and park benches around the Garden. A good spot to stop and rest at the shelter is near the pond where you can enjoy the migratory birds that stop by. Another good spot to stop is near the traditional house where the stone lanterns around the second pond with a small waterfall provide a tranquil and serene setting.

Don't miss the sundial on the other side of the traditional house - it is one of ten sundial structures installed around Singapore in April 2007 in support of Singapore Science Centre's initiative to increase interest in Science. Under this initiative "Our Solar System", the sundial at the Japanese Garden represents Venus whilst the one at the Chinese Garden represents Earth.

The relative distances between the sundials, including the one at the Science Centre which represents the sun, represent the distances of each planet from the Sun.

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Tips

Enjoy the walk.

Things to Bring

A good pair of walking shoes. Drinking water - there are few places within the Garden to get a drink. An umbrella is useful for rain or hot sun.

Opening Times

Opening times: 6 am to 10 pm for the Main Gardens. Best time to go: Early morning or later afternoon when it is cooler.

Admission Fees

It's free!

How to Get There

By Taxi - This is the easiest and most convenient way of getting there. Ask the taxi driver to drop you at the entrance of the Japanese Garden. Alternatively, you can alight at the Chinese Garden entrance and cross over the Bridge of Double Beauty to the Japanese Garden. By MRT - Alight at Chinese Garden Station on the East-West line. It's a 5 to 10-minute walk to the Chinese Garden. You can then cross over the Bridge of Double Beauty, which is just a short distance from the entrance, to the Japanese Garden. By Bus - Take SMRT bus number 180 or SBS bus numbers 154 & 335 and ask the bus driver to tell you where to alight for the Chinese and Japanese Gardens.