The Japanese Garden is a 6.5-acre (2.6 ha) public Japanese garden in Los Angeles, located in the Lake Balboa district in the central San Fernando Valley, adjacent to the Van Nuys and Encino neighborhoods.

[1] It is specifically on the grounds of the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant adjacent to Woodley Park, in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.

"[2] The idea of having a Japanese Garden adjacent to a water reclamation plant was conceived by Donald C. Tillman.

As one first enters The Japanese Garden, one walks through a dry Zen meditation garden (Karesansui) containing a large grass-covered mound, representing Tortoise Island, a symbol of longevity, and a Three Buddhas (Trikaya) arrangement of stones.

Next comes an expansive chisen, or "wet strolling" garden with waterfalls, lakes, trees, and stone lanterns.