Small but so cute! Very well taken care of, especially the fish! Close by to a lot of shopping centers so it's nice to be able to eat and come here to walk it off with cute views. Parking - street parking and there is an "underground" parking lot under the tennis court that is only a few skips and a hop over to the garden. Best tip is it is free on Sundays (for now at least) No food/no pets/no drink which makes sense! read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

The San Mateo Japanese Garden is a charming little sanctuary in Central Park, which I had the pleasure of exploring over the holiday weekend. It has a somewhat awkward layout wherein the concrete trail does not go full circle and leads to dead ends that force you to turn around and backtrack. But the place is small enough that it hardly matters. There are alluring features all around, trees and greenery (bamboo, bonsai, and more), beautiful even in late fall when cherry blossoms are not in bloom, sculptures blending in with the surrounding wildlife, a lovely pagoda and teahouse with seating where I was able to lounge for a while. Water flowing along the streams, fountains gushing at the center of the pond, several bridges where visitors stop to take photos, too. Also, plenty of signs reminding people to stay on the path. Be aware, no food, no drinks, no dogs, and no strollers are allowed on the pathways in the garden. read more

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Small garden. Not much to see at this garden. You go in one loop and you're done, which can take less than 5 minu But it is still nice to see. One good thing about this garden is that its free entrance read more

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A serene and beautifully maintained spot, perfect for a peaceful stroll after lunch in downtown San Mateo. The Japanese Tea Garden offers a calming atmosphere with its carefully landscaped paths and traditional features. Convenient free parking is available nearby on Laurel Avenue, and as an added bonus, Central Park's stunning rose garden is just steps away--making it a lovely way to round out your visit. read more

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What's not to like about a free Japanese Garden inside San Mateo Central Park? It's free! It's gorgeous! It was apparently designed by the same artist that designed the SF Japanese Tea Garden. It is so well kept and maintained. The kois are huge here and pretty. The trees are interesting and lots of round shape theme. I would love to live or work nearby here so I could come walk around this garden and get my zen time in. And bask in the sun while enjoying such serene surrounding. Can't believe it's free! Enjoy this marvelous gift San Mateo citizens. You're all so very lucky to have something like this for the public to enjoy. read more

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What a great slice of heaven in the middle of buzzling downtown San Mateo! The garden isn't too big but being a in there invites me to pause and reflect on things I'm grateful for. It's a perfect spot to sip tea and enjoy serene atmosphere. Plus, it is conveniently located near downtown San Mateo where you can go get your munchies from read more

Wow what a beautiful garden! If you are in downtown San mateo, you must check out this japanese garden. It's truly a hidden gem ! It's right in side of the central park. The admission is already free. They have couple sitting ares inside. The garden style is very authentic Japanese, I love the bridges, the pagodas are gorgeous, the pond is truly magical ...etc Over all I highly recommend this place to all local people as well as visitors :-) read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Pssst, between you and me, I actually prefer this Japanese garden over the one in San Francisco. Yeah, this one is much smaller, but it seems more well-maintained (not much plant overcrowding) and a good amount of foliage here changes color in autumn. Clear, deep blue pond water. A nice little colorful picturesque place indeed. Free admission but closes a bit early in the day compared to other public gardens in general (depending on the season it can close as early as 2 pm). I spent about 30 min here. Definitely a must-visit stop in downtown San Mateo! read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

Quick take: Gem of Central Park I stop by the Japanese Garden every time I'm in Downtown San Mateo. Lovely gem tucked away inside Central Park. Perfect place to go for a stroll after coffee or a great meal in Downtown San Mateo. No food or drinks are allowed inside the gates. There's a designated area to park strollers. The narrow uneven paths are not stroller friendly. Take in all of the colors of the different trees. Admire the koi and turtles swimming underneath the first bridge. Enjoy the fresh air and appreciate the beautiful of the garden. I notice something different or new every time I go. read more

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Beautiful and peaceful place to spend a Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!Alot of good tings to do !!!!

A tiny pocket of Japanese Garden in San Mateo that takes about two minutes to walk through. A little sad with the koi fish and fairly dirty looking water, but the gardens do look taken care of. Wouldn't come back but it's a nice glimpse if you're nearby. read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

Koi Story Nice, but smallish (±0.76-acre), Japanese Garden located in the middle of San Mateo's Central Park. The Good: *Amazing Koi Pond teaming with lots of gorgeous, well-fed koi. Try and get there right when they open so that you can catch the feeding! *Garden looked well-manicured and taken care of. I'd love to come back during the spring and see the blossoms. The Meh: *Hours are kinda limited for a park; they don't open until 10 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays. The Ugly: *Because they open so "late" it's hard to get in and enjoy the place w/ minimal people like us early birds like to do. The tiny walking aisles and this place's popularity aren't a great combo. TLDR: Very nice Garden and worth a stop if you're in the area. read more

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Really do appreciate that this garden is free and in the heart of downtown San Mateo! It's a tad small, but the greenery is well maintained and attracts a good number of guests. The surrounding park is also lovely and has its fair share of events held by the city and its inhabitants. Perfect for a picnic in the shade. I wouldn't necessarily come back as the Japanese Tea Garden in SF and Hakone Gardens in Saratoga are larger and more impressive, which is fair considering they charge admission. read more

A very small but cute and beautiful Japanese garden in downtown San Mateo. The garden is small but very picturesque and connects to a broader park. A nice place to walk around. read more

I love coming here with my family. I wish it's bigger than this , we enjoy watching the fish and the place is so peaceful read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

I love these types of gardens. This garden is located in San Mateo's Central Park, but it has its own hours. There is a metered parking garage (132 spots) and tons of metered street parking available. They are reasonably priced costing $1/hour. It is very small, but also very peaceful. It has a koi pond with carp and gold fish, a small waterfall, a turtle island, a pagoda and, a shinden, and a gazebo. The place is very picturesque and has provided the backdrop for many photo shoots. One of which was going on while I was there. As you would expect the park is well maintained and clean. Strollers are not allowed on the paths. They have an area that you can park them at the front. There are also some benches and a few other spots that you can sit, relax and take it all in. I really liked the bench that was made from a tree that was cut in half. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk through, and that is taking it all in. This place definitely is an enhancement to the park and worth a visit if you are in the area. And to top it all off, it is FREE to see. My favorite price. read more

Small but modest Japanese gardens in San Mateo and it was free. It was a nice place to go with the family and we saw many couples there. They open at 10-4pm on Monday-Friday and 11-4pm on the weekend. read more

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Beautiful park. Not the largest Japanese garden, but done right. It does get packed here and there was a photoshop on the bridge which blocked a ton of people. Still it was a pleasant experience and a really nice garden. read more

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After a weekday lunch on the Peninsula, we came over to this Japanese Garden. What a beautiful and well maintained respite in the middle of Central Park. Coming here the last day of March meant that we were able to enjoy the cherry blossoms that were still in bloom. Although it is small, about 20-30 minutes to leisurely stroll through, there was beauty to be appreciated around every corner and turn. Enjoy the Japanese maples, water features with tiny waterfalls, koi pond, and finally the pagodas. With benches situated throughout, it is a perfect place to sit, take in the beauty and relax or meditate with the sounds of the birds and trickling water in the background. While we were there, there was someone maintaining the grounds which clearly shows in this hidden gem. read more

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Free, easy to walk through and free 2hr parking. One can see the care and upkeep of the structures and plants. Also, the koi look happy, too. A great photo spot! read more

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We love going to this garden in downtown San Mateo. What it lacks in size (10 acres) more than makes up for it in its beauty. The park was designed by landscape architect Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo and completed in 1966. No wonder the place looks so grand even though it's in a limited amount of space. But every space works in perfect balance and complements one another. From the outside, the garden is surrounded by roofed wooden fences that is so aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Upon entering her gates, you are instantly transported somewhere in Japan and you can feel your heart rate begin to slow down and the stress level dissipates from your body. There's a Japanese Tea House (Chasitsu) on your left, which you can enter and sit to soak in the atmosphere. One can truly meditate here as the feeling of tranquility just resonates like an invisible chi. There are cherry trees, Japanese maples, bonsai trees, a wooden bridge, kidney-shape koi pond and a traditional gazebo (Azumaya). In 1963, San Mateo set-up a sister-city relationship with Toyonaka, a city in the Osaka Prefecture. Toyonaka donated several sculptures and a five-level stone pagoda located in the back of the garden. In 1991, Toyonaka donated a small Shinden Shrine to commemorate the 25th year anniversary. This is located on the right side of the entrance along the fence. It's a very relaxing and harmonious place, and one where you can contemplate in peace surrounded by birds chirping and singing. Located inside San Mateo's Central Park, it definitely is worth a visit if you're ever in the area. I also forgot to mention that it's free to the public. Interesting fact: There's a marble plaque on granite boulder installed outside the southwest side of the garden to honor the 442nd Regimental Combat Team nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion. This regiment was comprised mostly of volunteer Japanese Americans who were interred during WWII. It's a nice little plaque that deserves more fan fare and they should build a better memorial for this group of "American" heroes. The plaque looks like an afterthought, in my opinion and they deserve a whole lot more. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 77 read more

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2/6/2021 Quarantine Day 327 I came across this in the San Mateo central park to pass the time while my boyfriend was at his optometry appointment. It was the first weekend in a while where it wasn't raining so there were plenty of people outside having picnics, parents playing with kids, kids on the playground, dogs with their families, etc. The Japanese Gardens are free to enter. It's not as big as the one in San Francisco, but it gives off a sense of quiet....peacefulness. There is stroller parking, no dogs or food are allowed inside. The garden is well kept and very clean. There is a helpful map of the different views and objects you will encounter while strolling through the garden. There are also koi fish in the pond that are huge! (don't think about feeding the fish as there is signage that says so). I can imagine pre-covid that people working from the nearby buildings would come here during their lunch break to have a quiet moment to themselves. read more

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"Could it Really be that Good?" Yes, it is true. I was skeptical. How could a Japanese Botanical Garden really merit 5 stars? Surely these other reviewers must be exaggerating! Well, today I had the chance to visit for myself. It is free entry to the Botanical Garden. I still haven't quite figured out the parking, so I parked on the street and put $0.40 in the meter. There might be free parking close by, but I wasn't sure. I confess I was astonished by the quality of this garden. Compared to some other city gardens, this one really stands out. I thought it was superbly maintained. Absolutely spotless, well-manicured, and just flat-out pleasant. There is a map right at the entrance to the Garden. It's not super large, and you can tour the entire thing in less than a half hour. But you will probably want to take longer than that, because it is so beautiful. There are many places to sit down and enjoy the shade, and also some bridges to walk over. And don't forget the fish! But I don't think you're supposed to feed them so don't do that. I confess I was wrong. This place really deserves 5 stars. Go visit, and see for yourself. read more

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This Japanese Garden located in Central Park, which is in downtown, San Mateo, is one very nice garden!! Although it's small, they have bridges to cross, benches to sit on, and Koi fish to admire. It's very clean and very well maintained!! The paths are pretty narrow, I was lucky to go on a day when there weren't too many people here. It's free to enter, and a good place to spend some time on a sunny afternoon. read more

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Very Beautiful, but kinda anticlimactic. Was raining when we went. Pretty trees but very small garden as a whole. Like others said already, don't go out of your way to visit unless you're already nearby. You'll be here like 10-15 minutes max if it is as dead empty as it was when we went. Romantic peaceful setting. read more

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Well maintained Japanese garden in the middle of downtown. Never knew that San Mateo had a sister city in Japan that helped build this garden! There were some people meditating and families walking around. In the center is a pond with koi and a few turtles. There are a few tiny waterfalls, a Pagoda and some other shrines. Overall, it's a peaceful area to spend 15-30 minutes. read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I was surprised how peaceful, immaculate and calming this garden was. Even the children around us spoke quietly. The wooden tea houses and building are well painted and maintained. The individual plants, trees and bushes are trimmed, shaved and pruned professionally. It's free entrance within a public park. Free 2 hour parking right outside. Lots to see. Wish it was bigger. read more

Japanese Gardens - Wear your mask - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

Great place to walk . peaceful park small but quiet place and a good information too about the place

It's a beautiful small garden with a rich history. From a socialist / community centric standpoint it's accessible and free. The downside is that it can become easily crowded, and people aren't mindful of their volume or sharing walking paths. read more

Despite having lived in San Mateo all this time, for some reason I never knew there was a Japanese Garden tucked away in Central Park right next to DT SM! Thankfully, while looking through Yelp for local parks and trails to explore, I stumbled upon Japanese Gardens. Had a chance to finally check it out today with the gf since it was such a beautiful day. The gardens themselves are free to access, and are quite beautiful, serene, and well-maintained. Pets, strollers, food & drinks are not allowed inside. There are a variety of different plants growing inside, but the main attraction is definitely the beautiful koi pond that runs through the central part of the garden itself. You can walk over one of the bridges near the entrance to see where most of the koi gather at. And public feedings are done during the summer between the hours of 10-4 on weekdays, and 11-4 on weekends. If you have a few moments to spare while you're in DT San Mateo, or just live nearby and haven't explored this place yet, I highly recommend you swing by here on a sunny weekend for a much needed stroll through. read more

Japanese Gardens - Beautiful Koi Pond - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Random Japanese Garden I stumbled upon in San Mateo. Looks cute - going to give it 5 stars read more

Japanese Gardens - Garden - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

A hidden gem in San Mateo! I've lived in the Peninsula for years and just discovered the Japanese Garden located in the beauty that is downtown San Mateo! This place is filled with small bridges and a gorgeous variety of plants; it really takes your breath away! The area is not too difficult to get to and the walk is perfect for a stroll with your loved ones! The garden is well maintained and once entered, it's as if you escape to a little perfect paradise. I'll be back for sure! read more

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Simply gorgeous! The Japanese Gardens in San Mateo Central Park are free and open to the public. Beautifully landscaped with greenery, ponds, waterfalls, and traditional structures, including a tea house. It felt peaceful wandering around the grounds, especially with the sound of running water from the waterfall. The pond featured koi fish and turtles. I was lucky to catch the 11am koi fish feeding! Highly recommended for an easy blissful excursion. Street parking was a mix of meters and free 2 hour spots. read more

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Free to enter. The downside of free is that it was super crowded even though I went basically at opening. Screaming kids jumping around IN the trees. The garden is small so I wouldn't make a trip out just to see it, but worth a stop if you're already in the park or nearby in downtown grabbing food. read more

Japanese Gardens - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

Absolutely stunning Japanese garden that is free admission (close at 4 PM May 2021). There is so much of nature surrounding you that would make it an awesome spot to decompress or to just visit once in a while. There is so much culture and value to this place and I am so happy I found this on Yelp. We found easy metered street parking on a Friday afternoon ($1 for one hour!). It's also super interesting because this garden is within the larger park of Central Park in San Mateo, and it makes you feel like you're walking into another country when you step into this garden. I came in May when everything was in full bloom, so I was consistently floored by the beauty of it all. read more

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Very small Japanese garden but beautiful and free admission upon entering. It is located on the park, so you can park your car on the street for two hours free. It is very small garden, will only required 20 minutes walk through the garden itself. The beauty of this garden is the water pond with many colorful Koi fishes. Everyone keep a distance of 6 feet and mask on at all times, except when pictures are taken. Overall, it is a small Japanese garden that can be unknown to the outsider because it is located on the park with walls covering the garden. read more

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Beautiful Japanese Garden in the heart of downtown San Mateo. Whenever we come here, we slow down and take in the relaxing and Zen-like atmosphere. There are benches to sit while watching everyone enjoying the park, and you can also sit inside the tea house. There are Koi fish in the pond that you can watch from a couple of bridges or on the side of the pond. The trees are luscious green in the summertime and colorful hues of orange and red in the fall. Unlike the Japanese Garden at Golden Gate Park, though beautiful in its own way, this one is free to the public. read more

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The Japanese Garden was a great place to explore. We parked on the street and walked over to the Japanese Garden. The place was clean except for the water where the fish was. I seen a couple of parents sitting under a tree with their babies and taking. In the water they have koi fish and turtles. When we arrived they had people take pictures around the garden. I would suggest going to the Gardens. When we were there we were not allowed to feed the fish. I didn't see any sign when you can. Maybe check the web site. read more

Japanese Gardens - A sign - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

Beautiful gardens well maintained with constant gardening. Can get busy during the day when weather is beautiful and sunny. No strollers or pets allowed. Relaxing and peaceful when not too busy. Plenty of water fountains and ponds so watch out for small children. Can't be free. Closed during specific holidays. San Mateo charges $0.75 per hour unless you come on weekends or holidays. read more

Even though it's over a half-century old, I am embarrassed to say I wasn't aware these gardens existed when I was walking Downtown San Mateo all these years. I stopped on B Street to get something to eat and was looking to add a few more steps to my FitBit watch. I noticed this spot on the Yelp app and strolled over to see this cloistered garden that frankly puts San Jose's larger Japanese Friendship Garden to shame (review: http://bit.ly/2I1ZRYB). Just sixteen acres, they were immaculately maintained by at least a half-dozen groundskeepers who were busily pruning and shaping when I was there. The centerpiece is the kidney-shaped pond stocked full of a school of hefty koi (photo: http://bit.ly/2H3V72k). It is crossed with a couple of footbridges and surrounded by a tea house, a shrine, and a hidden granite mini-pagoda next to a tranquil waterfall (photo: http://bit.ly/2slFnm6). Sure, it doesn't have the historical kitsch factor of San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden with the classic red circular footbridge (review: http://bit.ly/2slbdQF), but admission is free and unlike San Jose's, you're not stuck with a $6 parking lot fee. Come here for a becalming touch of Kyoto in the middle of urbania, or rather suburbania. read more

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