Japanese Garden in Manila - Philippines

If theres a Chinese Garden, there should also be a Japanese Garden. Thats how most Filipinos think. Hence, the Japanese Garden in Luneta, the foremost Manila park in the Philippines.

The Japanese Garden is near the Chinese Garden and both are located in the middle of Luneta. From Taft Avenue, when one is facing the Quirino Grandstand towards Manila Bay, the Japanese Garden is to the right along the Central Promenade Lane where sculptured busts of datu chieftains line up. This premier Manila park is further enhanced by the realistic reproduction of the Chinese and Japanese Garden areas.

When Luneta started in the 1800s as Bagumbayan---a mere clearing amid the woods just outside the Walled City of Intramuros---of course, no Japanese Garden was yet on site. Later, after World War II, as a gesture of peaceful relations with Japan, the Japanese Garden was built in Luneta. Today, the garden still stands as a memorial to the strong ties between Japan and the Philippines. Hence, this Manila park is a favorite tourist spot among Filipino and Japanese tourists.

Aside from the realistic Japanese garden design inside the premise, with rocks and spreading low flowering trees and shrubberies characteristic of typical gardens in Japan, the special garden elements seen there are the lagoon and the bridge characteristic of typical traditional Japanese bridges. Folks go to Luneta to have their pictures taken at the bridge and feel like they have visited Japan and had the picture taken there. This is one of the treats of visiting this Manila park.

Being right inside Luneta, a well-known Manila park in the Philippines, its easy to get to the Japanese Garden anytime. If one opts for a cab, just tell the driver to proceed to Luneta. Once inside the premise of this leading Manila park, just ask around and one will never miss it. To enjoy a visit to Luneta and the Japanese Garden, have a pocket money of P500 ready. Make it P750 if visiting with a group of 3 to 4. There is a minimal entrance fee. Ordinarily, its prohibited to bring food inside the Japanese Garden except on certain occasions. The alternative is to eat a meal first before going inside the garden.

Or else, there are lots of snack bars around Luneta or visit the fast food store just at the corner of T.M. Kalaw and Orosa Streets. One might also try eateries along Taft Avenue. A meal may cost P50 per person in these areas.