Fort Worth Japanese Gardens Autumn Colors

Specutacular place to visit any time of the year, but autumn is the best in my own opinion. Color changes in autumn are often hard to find in Texas, but the Japanese maples in this garden seldom fail to provide vivid red leaves. Over the past year over $90,000 in updates and improvements have been made to the Japanese Gardens in Fort Worth. Come and enjoy!

Walkways and bridges have been improved for safety, appearance and accessibility. The wheel chair accessible walk ways have been improved and made easier to use although many are still quite steep and will require a helper.

New plantings of trees and shrubs, new areas developed and added to the formal gardens and more facilities for weddings and big parties. The Japanese Garden is a very popular place for these events. On this first Sunday of Standard Time there was a large wedding up in one of the tea houses on the upper level and many visitors to the Garden enjoying a fine day with family photographing one and all.

Visitors come from all over the world to visit this garden. I have visited Japanese style gardens all over the world, including Japan and feel this is one of the finest and more of the best cared for.

Telephone for information (817) 871-7686 and use the WEB site. You can even shop via the internet at the Japanese Gardens gift shop which benefits the costs of running this wonderful place.

http://www.fwbg.org/visitor_info.htm

People of all ages enjoy visiting this garden. Children are attracted to feeding the Koi fish and also seeing the turtle and cranes which make their home here. Although some of the paths are steep and are a work out, much of the garden can be enjoyed from handicap accessible walkways. There are plenty of benches. The garden's planners put the benches where the views are the best; so sit and enjoy the views.

To enter the parking lot for the Japanese Gardens enter the Botanic Garden on Botanic Garden Drive from University Drive not far from I-30. Follow this road around until you see the parking lot. Don't worry if that lot is full and another lot is available from that driveway. Parking is always free of charge and a ticket for adults to view the Japanese Garden is $3.50 with a break for seniors and children. Sorry but no pets allowed.

When your visit is over, follow the free map you were given when you purchased your ticket and work your way uphill and out of the main garden. The primary exit is through the gift shop but there is an afterhours exit turnstyle in about the same location. This turnstyle is not suitable for people in wheel chairs and those with large strollers. Not to fear as staff check the entire area very carefully to make sure no one is left behind.

I'm adding a few photos to this journal in order to show the Japanese Gardens near to the time of the winter solstice when the sunlight is coming from about as from south as it travels in the course of the year. New vistas open up in the Japanese Gardens as many of the trees have lost their leaves and the angle of the sun adds new aspects to the buildings and shadows. Not many visitors in winter, so it can be a very good time to make a visit. The Japanese Gardens is open nearly every day of the year (Closed on major holidays) until ice conditions make it unsafe to visit the Garden. If that happens, you won't doubt the wisdom of staying inside.

Hours of operation: http://www.fwbg.org/hours.htm