Nitobe Memorial Garden
Nitobe Memorial Garden
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
**Now open by appointment** Nitobe Memorial Garden is a Japanese tea and stroll garden ranked consistently in the top 5 Japanese Gardens in North America. A place of reflection, where each step reveals a new harmony.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Neighborhood: University Land Endowments
An area as rich in history as it is in natural beauty, the expansive parkland of the University Land Endowments is protected by the city in cooperation with the University of British Columbia. A large green space studded by rose gardens, Japanese rock gardens, botanic gardens, canopy walks, regional parkland, and hiking trails, the University Land Endowments are a breath of fresh air. Combining a commitment to preserving nature with a similar promise to preserve culture, its valleys are also home to the First Nations heritage museum, the biodiversity museum, and anthropological and memorial exhibitions. From its highest canopies to the sandy shorelines of Wreck Beach, its serenity is preserved by the University buildings that dot it, combining Mother Nature and scholarship.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
360 reviews
Excellent
232
Very good
96
Average
26
Poor
5
Terrible
1
misanthropicdreamer
San Francisco, CA627 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
This is not near downtown Vancouver so I would not recommend it unless you were already coming to visit the museum of Anthropology. We drove there to see both. Parking is easy in the lot across the street. The tickets are reasonable. The small garden is beautiful and peaceful. I would have loved just sitting there for a while. We did the little walk around and left for the museum.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veracity-teller
Toronto, Canada28 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
This is a great place to have a chat with yourself. Being there gives you some illusion that you are in japan or some exotic asian countries. This garden looks very pretty in every season, but my favourite is autumn when tree leaves turn yellow and red. Worth a visit if you visit UBC.
Written July 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damondb
Ipswich, MA44 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
My wife and I visited Nitobe Memorial Garden in June 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We spent about an hour at the garden and were very impressed with its design, flow, atmosphere, and care. It was laid out in the general design of one's life and this overall theme allowed you the opportunity to reflect on different stages along this journey. Large pacific northwest trees served as a frame or border to the inner Japanese gardens. There were many places to sit and reflect on the beauty of the park. One comment regarding access to the park: we found it very difficult to find the entrance as it was not well marked. We ended up parking in the parking garage (parkade) on Memorial Road on the University of British Columbia campus. From there we walked about half a block west until we hit Lower Mall, then turned right and walked a hundred yards or so to the entrance to the garden. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Nitobe Memorial Garden and highly recommend this when you visit Vancouver!
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your review! We are glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written December 13, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BriaBoston
Boston124 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
What a gem. One of the top Japanese tea gardens in North America. And, only a 5 minute walk from the MOA. It is a real shame that these two are not advertised together. The garden is exquisite and should not be missed. From the lake to the trees, to the organization - superb! Since the garden is within the University of BC, food and all amenities are readily available. The 44 bus from Burrard Street is an express out to the university. Easily accessible.
Written August 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mulgrew
vancouver198 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
quiet and peaceful well organized and clean, parking is easy a little expensive just remember to pay for your parking if not you will get a ticket
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri L
Carolina Beach, NC164 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
The garden is very lovely, but I personally did not think it was worth the $12 price of admission, plus the price of public parking. I was disappointed that it was not larger and did not have many places for sitting and relaxing. We made a special trip from downtown Vancouver to visit the garden, based on reviews. Maybe if you are into the Japanese culture it would be more special to you. However, we did find a fantastic rose garden on top of a parking garage, across from the Museum of Anthropology. It was amazing - and FREE. That is what made the drive worthwhile.
Written January 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greenwayplanner
vancouver125 contributions
Oct 2013 • Business
To really appreciate this extraordinary garden, please ensure you take a tour from one of the friendly "FOGS" Friends of the Garden associated with the University's Botanical Garden. From them, you will learn about who Nitobe was, his extraordinary life, and why this classical garden was designed in his name. This garden takes you through the traditional "walk of life" from childhood to old age. The tour guide will provide you with invaluable information and explain how these gardens were designed, and how they imitate the walk of life.
There are also tickets sold for the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. These are held once a month, and the tickets are inexpensive and go quickly. If you are lucky enough to be in Vancouver during the tea ceremony and can grab a ticket, go. It's a once in a lifetime experience.
There are also tickets sold for the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. These are held once a month, and the tickets are inexpensive and go quickly. If you are lucky enough to be in Vancouver during the tea ceremony and can grab a ticket, go. It's a once in a lifetime experience.
Written October 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pontevecchio56
San Diego, CA150 contributions
May 2011 • Couples
This is a nice little garden that offers a pleasant visit, and has some nice features. It deviates from traditional Japanese garden design in many aspects, and unfortuantely the care and maintenance is not of high quality. I was especially disappointed in the pruning of the pines. Further, the very large indigeneous pines don't welcome the visitor, they overwhelm the visitor. They really don't belong there.
I found the massive collection of stone lanterns to be distracting and inappropriate. I had the feeling I was walking through the stone lantern section of my local garden shop. It is unfortunate that the pond water is so brown and murky.........inappropriate for the wabi sabi of a traditional Japanese garden. It wasn't until a koi came to the surface that I realized that there were koi in the pond, because with the poor water quality you certainly couldn't see them.
The tea house, machiai, tsukubai, and inner tea garden were all blocked off to the public, which degraded the experience. I liked the family sitting pavillion though.
While you are there, be sure to walk around the grounds of the Asian Studies Library. It is free and you will find some nice features to explore.
Overall, definitely worth a visit, but somewhat over-rated.
I found the massive collection of stone lanterns to be distracting and inappropriate. I had the feeling I was walking through the stone lantern section of my local garden shop. It is unfortunate that the pond water is so brown and murky.........inappropriate for the wabi sabi of a traditional Japanese garden. It wasn't until a koi came to the surface that I realized that there were koi in the pond, because with the poor water quality you certainly couldn't see them.
The tea house, machiai, tsukubai, and inner tea garden were all blocked off to the public, which degraded the experience. I liked the family sitting pavillion though.
While you are there, be sure to walk around the grounds of the Asian Studies Library. It is free and you will find some nice features to explore.
Overall, definitely worth a visit, but somewhat over-rated.
Written June 30, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lazigirl
Vernon, Canada710 contributions
Sep 2019
Close to a parkade so easy to park. We bought a combined ticket for the botanical gardens also. Our son was free as he attends UBC.
The gardens are quite small but very beautiful and photogenic. I can't comment re authenticity.
It was fairly quiet except for a wedding party in late September, the colours were beautiful.
The gardens are quite small but very beautiful and photogenic. I can't comment re authenticity.
It was fairly quiet except for a wedding party in late September, the colours were beautiful.
Written October 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review of Nitobe Garden!
Written October 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mellie2013
Port Moody, Canada2,944 contributions
Sep 2019
From the highly manicured trees and shrubs to the koi, Nitobe Garden is a tranquil spot located within the bustling UBC campus. From every perspective it's a photographers dream.
The manicured trees, rolling moss and hills, Japanese lanterns and water features fill the space in harmony and filtered light. Delightful on a rainy day and empty. Enjoy the trails and peak into the Tea House. Take a moment to respect the memorial garden to Dr Nitobe, a visionary and bridge across the Pacific.
Simply delightful!
The manicured trees, rolling moss and hills, Japanese lanterns and water features fill the space in harmony and filtered light. Delightful on a rainy day and empty. Enjoy the trails and peak into the Tea House. Take a moment to respect the memorial garden to Dr Nitobe, a visionary and bridge across the Pacific.
Simply delightful!
Written October 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review of Nitobe Garden. We are glad that you enjoyed your visit!
Written October 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
free2eatcandy
Loveland, Colorado
What are the gardens like during the end of October? Have most of the plants died back? We're visiting at the end of the month and I really want to go to the gardens but if there isn't much to see then I'll wait to revisit in the spring/ summer. Thanks!
Written October 3, 2017
I have only visited the gardens in April . Most of the flowers had not yet bloomed and I just caught the end of the cherry blossoms blooming. I still enjoyed it immensely . The leaves that do change colour will probably be at their peak by the time you visit, depending on the weather the next couple of weeks .
Likewise with the botanical gardens down the road.
Written October 4, 2017
I think you have got Nitobe Gardens confused with a Chinese garden in the Downtown East Side
Written August 22, 2015
Nitobe gardens is very much in the UBC campus. It is a Japanese garden. It is pretty, not too big. Also has a tea-ceremony - I think you need to book in advance. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is a Chinese garden that is free.
Written August 24, 2015
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