Welcome to Nitobe MemorialGarden!♥

Location: 1895 Lower Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Website:  http://botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/visit/nitobe-memorial-garden/
Hours of operation: Click here to see schedule
Entrance Fee: Yes. Click here to see rates

I was a new immigrant few years ago (8 years) and just like any new comer, everything is new and exciting to me. I go out almost every week visiting places and getting around to get familiarize with the area. That time, going out on weekends is my way of entertaining myself and keeping myself busy to fight homesickness. I explored nearby and sometimes far places and got lost a lot of times but in the end managed to get to my destination. I guess that’s part of the fun and excitement of finding new places. I was talking about the time when I was using my old flip vintage phone. No GPS, no maps just the usual basic call and text phone. I didn’t even mind it, I got used to the idea of researching the place first and printing directions before I go. I eventually got rid of my vintage phone, but even with all those high tech features, I still got lost from time to time when going to places. That only means, it’s not the phone, it’s me. Hah! I knew it 🙂

Nitobe Memorial Garden is one of those places that I had quite a challenge finding. I lived in my old place before, where it is not as central compared to where I live now. I had to take few buses and transfer to get to this place, but in the end it’s all worth my time. The garden is not a big as the other garden I had visited, but it was beautiful and it has its own charm. Nitobe is a Japanese garden with beautiful landscaping and quiet surrounding. The area is very lush and green, but most of all, it’s very relaxing and peaceful.

This garden is located at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and is considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Nitobe Garden includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House.

The garden has the traditional Japanese style design, with reflecting pond with Koi, streams and waterfalls, stone lanterns and the tea house where they do the tea ceremony. Visitors can attend the ceremony and witness the formal preparation of tea and participate as guests for an additional cost is $10 on top of garden admission. Reservation is highly recommended as space is limited to 10 people for each ceremony.

If you want to learn facts and history behind the different areas of the garden, they also offer group tours, member tours, segway tours and more to. Tours are priced separately from entrance fee.

Although you can walk on your own if you do not want to go on tours. I personally like strolling on my own so that I get to stop wherever I want to take photo and just enjoy the garden. I am not really this history kind of person.

To make the most your visit, stop by at MOA (Museum of Anthropology), it’s not that far from Nitobe. The museum showcases a lot of fine arts and exhibitions. There is also a nearby beach in the area, the Wreck Beach. I have to warm you though, this is a nudist beach, and clothes are optional, just so you know. This is an open beach and there is no sitting or shaded area and it could get quite hot during summer so make sure to put some sunscreen before you go and bring bottle of water. I did not notice any nearby restaurants or cafe, it’s a good idea to pack some light snacks too. Either that or you just have to wait when you get back to downtown to grab something to eat. The entire visit of all 3 places could take whole day depending on how long you want to stay in each place.

I had a great time visiting Nitobe Memorial Garden, and I wouldn’t going back here again. So when in Vancouver, visit Nitobe Memorial Garden. Till next time! Enjoy your vacation and safe travels ~SweetNSpicy ♥

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