All of the water at the Japanese Garden in the San Fernando Valley comes from reclaimed waste water processed at the neighboring D.C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. It’s an interesting marriage of culture and sustainability that’s especially needed in water-starved Los Angeles. There is a diverse bird life, but the one white crane that lives at this garden is rarely spotted and signifies longevity and good fortune if you see it. I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of her.

The garden was designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana who was world renowned for incorporating the local environment and native plants into traditional Japanese garden principles. He also designed gardens at San Diego’s Balboa Park, LACMA, and in Memphis, Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, and the largest Japanese garden in the US that spans 14 acres in St. Louis. Fun fact: this location in the San Fernando Valley has also been used in filming various t.v. shows and movies. A great way to wind down the weekend on a Sunday and clear your mind for the upcoming week.