The Japanese Garden has reopened and a multitude of colours await this iconic space at Jurong Lake Gardens. Closed since May 2019, the remaking of Japanese Garden is five years in the making and it is truly a stunning transformation that invites visitors to wander and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Japanese Garden at Jurong Lake Gardens
The 31-hectare Japanese Garden is situated on an island in Jurong Lake. It first opened in the 1970s and is the sister garden to the Chinese Garden.
There are three ways to reach Japanese Garden. It can be accessed from Jurong Lake Garden’s Lakeside Garden or via one of two bridges from the adjacent Chinese Garden. The third way is for those coming from Jurong East MRT station and from the shore of Jurong Lake next to Science Centre Singapore.
Floral Garden
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If you make your way into Japanese Garden from the Lakeside Garden section of Jurong Lake Garden, you will arrive at the Floral Garden.
The Floral Garden is divided up into four themed gardens or community plots with a dry garden and rock garden at the centre.
The four thematic gardens are known as Tranquility, Abundance, Wabi-sabi and Invigoration.
The thematic gardens have been inspired by elements found in a traditional Japanese Garden. You will find yourself amidst elements such as sculptural rocks, bamboo clusters and ornamental trees.
This part of the Japanese Garden was created in collaboration with members of the community and students. The design of the Floral Garden took into consideration more than 14,000 suggestions and ideas gather from the public between November 2016 and April 2017.
The features found in the Floral Garden reflect the aspirations of Jurong Lake Gardens to be a “people’s garden”. The Jurong Lake Gardens is the only of the three National Gardens to be found in the heartlands. The other two National Gardens are Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay.
Sunken Garden
Go beyond the Floral Garden and you will arrive at one of the highlights of the revamped Japanese Garden is the the Sunken Garden. This gorge-like landscape takes inspiration from a cenote – a large, natural sinkhole that is created when the roof of an underground limestone cave collapses to create a sinkhole. This creates an eco-system with exposed ground water and a large air well that lets natural light in.
At the Japanese Garden’s cave-inspired Sunken Garden, there are walled path that take you into the unique landscape. The green vertical walls are up to 3.5 metres tall, creating a feeling of being deep underground.
At the very centre of the Sunken Garden is a water feature that mimics the underground pool found in a cenote. The water feature also plays dual role by helping to harvest rainforest.
Lining the walls are more than 200 types of epiphytes such as orchids. These plants thrive on the high humidity and low temperatures created within a cenote. The Japanese Garden’s Sunken Garden is also a cool spot where you can escape from the heat before continuing your exploration of the Garden.
There is also a store selling ice cream at the Sunken Garden.
Resthouse and Freshwater Forest
Next, as you venture further in, you will arrive at the Resthouse.
This is one of several Japanese-style structures found within the Japanese Garden that give it its charm. This open structure opens out to a large pond.
Adjacent to the Resthouse is Freshwater Forest.
Water Lily Garden and Pavilion
Next, be prepared to be greeted by the sight of the expansive Water Lily Garden with the wooden hues of the Water Lily Pavilion behind it.
The water lilies are a sight to behold with their many splendid hues. The Water Lily Garden at Japanese Garden holds Singapore’s largest water lily collection.
There are more than 150 varieties of water lilies at this aquatic garden. These include both day- and night-blooming water lilies. Of these 150 varieties, more than 100 are new to Singapore. These aquatic beauties were sourced from around the world including countries like the United States, France, Britain and Thailand.
Amongst the varieties of water lilies are both the world’s largest and world’s smallest water lilies. The Giant Water Lily has leaves that can grow up to 3 metres in diameter and support the weight of a small child. On the other hand, the Nymphaea thermarum has leaves that are as minuscule as 1 cm.
Boardwalks runs across the waters of the terraced water lily pond and these provides a scenic vantage point to get close and view the aquatic plants. It is a chance to take in and appreciate the wonders of nature.
Behind the Water Lily Pavilion, you will find the Japanese Garden Bridge. This leads across to the area next to Science Centre Singapore and onwards to Jurong East MRT Station.
Breathing Gallery
Another area to explore is just beside the Water Lily Garden – the Breathing Gallery. This air-conditioned space houses various vivariums. It is a place to pause and admire the beauty found in the minature.
Floral Ridge, Teahouse and Guesthouse
For more nature, you can take a walk along the northern edge of Japanese Garden. From the Water Lily Pavilion, the verdant Floral Ridge leads towards the two bridges that link Japanese Garden to Chinese Garden.
Here you will come across more Japanese elements in the park.
There is a the Guesthouse, a large multi-purpose building.
Next to the is the Teahouse, set up on a hill.
A wooden boardwalk stretch over the waters of the pond to provide scenic views of both the Teahouse and the Guesthouse.
Silver Moon Terrace and Wind Chim Pavilion
The prettily named Silver Moon Terrace is the stretch that between the two bridges that cross over from Japanese Garden to Chinese Garden. It mirrors the Harvest Moon Terrace at Chinese Garden.
For those who wish to take a breather, there is the Wind Chime Pavilion next to one of the bridges that connects Japanese Garden to Chinese Garden.
This is one of our favourite spots at the Japanese Garden. There is a feeling of tranquility as the quiet bells chime in the wind.
Japanese Garden: A Tranquil Spot at Jurong Lake Gardens
The new Japanese Garden at Jurong Lake Garden adds to the beauty and allure of Jurong Lake Gardens. With its attractions such as the Water Lily Garden, Sunken Garden and Floral Garden, it offers visitors a chance to be spirited away and refresh their minds in tranquil surroundings.
If you enjoyed this story, we are sure that will enjoy our ultimate guide to Jurong Lake Gardens or this story about the Chinese Garden.
