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The Japanese Garden in midsummer.

Japanese Garden

A Local Treasure

The Japanese Garden is a one-of-a-kind gem on Normandale’s campus. Exquisite, serene, and picturesque — the Japanese Garden offers visitors a welcome respite from the stresses of everyday life.

Built on land reclaimed from a twenty-acre pond, the garden showcases authentic Japanese features. These include a garden wall and entry gate, a waterfall, two shelters, three islands, three lanterns, four bridges, and a Bentendo — a hexagonal structure common throughout Japan and named for Benten, a goddess of wealth, happiness, wisdom, and music.

A Japanese Garden Created for Minnesota

More than 300 plants, shrubs, and trees have been carefully selected to grow in Minnesota’s harsh climate. The architect, Takao Watanabe, and gardeners chose Minnesota-hardy plants that can survive extremely cold temperatures.

Visit the Japanese Garden and experience the beauty all around you. In addition to discovering the wonderful plant life and intentional landscaping, you’ll see around 20 colorful koi that swim from lagoon to pool, under bridges and around rocks. You can feed the fish from May through October by purchasing koi food at the entrance of the Garden for 50 cents (quarters only).

Wander through the garden in just a few minutes, or linger longer and take it all in. You will truly feel like you have landed in the heart of Japan when you visit Normandale's Japanese Garden, recently included on the list of the best gardens in the country by Good Plant Care.

Questions, comments or concerns?  Email japanesegarden@normandale.edu or call 952-358-8145.

PLEASE NOTE: The Japanese Garden is now closed for the season from December 1, 2023 to April 1, 2024. The Garden is closed yearly from December- March, opening for the season on April 1st. 

 Japanese Garden FAQs

Tour Our Beautiful Garden

CBS Finding Minnesota Feature on Normandale's Japanese Garden

Visiting, Tours and Field Trips

The Japanese Garden is easily accessible on the campus of Normandale Community College, located at 9700 France Avenue South in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Visitors are welcome year-round, and the Garden is open Spring, Summer and Fall from sunrise to sunset. There is no cost for admittance, but donations are appreciated. We ask that children under 12 are accompanied by an adult.

We offer informative group tours for adults, and fun-filled field trips for elementary-aged students. Please call us at 952-358-8145 or email us at njg.committee@gmail.com for more information.

*Please note that there will be no scheduled tours until April 2024.

More information about the Garden

Get Involved!

We need your help to maintain Normandale's Japanese Garden

A torch burning in the Japanese Garden.

Support the Garden!

Your financial support is greatly appreciated!

Give today!

Contact

9700 France Avenue South in Bloomington, Minnesota

Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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