Corner of Av. Casares & Av. Berro, Palermo

I know what you’re thinking…where is the best place to see Koi Carp in Buenos Aires? What’s that you say? You weren’t thinking that at all??? You want to know which balcony on the Pink House Madonna, sorry, Evita, addressed her public from? Well, I might post about that another day….
For now, I really must work on my mind reading skills, and while I do that, here’s a picture of some Koi Carp, in the ponds of the Jardin Japones, or Japanese Gardens, one of the more interesting of the many parks in Palermo, Buenos Aires…

Nice Memories of the Jardin Japones

I have to be a bit selfish for the moment, and reminisce of a nice memory here from my early days in Buenos Aires. Back in 2005 I had one of my first dates with my then girlfriend, now fiancée, in the Jardin Japones, and very romantic it was too. Well, it worked, anyway!

Anyway, I would certainly recommend it as a nice place for couples to go when in Buenos Aires, or to take a date on if you are lucky enough to charm an Argentine while in town, but also the Japanese Gardens are great just as an oasis of calm and serenity in the middle of the crazy, busy, noisy city of Buenos Aires.

Although, to be fair, you can just about hear the drone of cars on the main avenues in the background, which spoils your zen a little. Plus there is the occasional school trip of noisy children, or young family, partly because the koi carp and ducks are happy to be fed by visitors, which kids usually seem to enjoy. Here is one such contented plump duck:

Beautifully Maintained Gardens

The park itself is wonderfully kept and very pretty all year round, as the different plants, trees and bushes show their lovely colors at varying points in the calendar. Apart from the koi carp and ducks in the cutely landscaped ponds, there are other easy on the eye features such as sculpted shrubberies, ornate arched red bridges, pattering mini rock waterfalls and zen-like stone and sculpture formations, as I can be seen standing next to over to the right, looking like a silly elf for some strange reason.

Apparently the horticulture on show includes black pine trees, gingko, sakura, and of course, the ubiquitous bonsai trees, that will impress all budding gardeners and karate kids alike. And yes, I chose the word ‘budding’ especially for the appropriate pun.

In case you are wondering ‘why exactly are there Japanese gardens in Buenos Aires?‘, well, they were given as a ‘thank you’ to Argentina, by Japanese immigrants living in Buenos Aires, when they constructed this lovely five acre park in 1967.

Japanese Tea Room & Restaurant

Attached to the gardens, in a pagoda style building, a Japanese tea room and restaurant combo is found (closed on Tuesdays). During the day this offers a range of oriental brews, green teas and cakes, and then during the evening it transforms into a restaurant with authentic Japanese food, specializing in sushi. I can’t properly review that, unfortunately, as I am allergic to fish, so you’ll have to wait for Saltshaker to get around to it.

However, I have heard good things about the food, and the tea I tried during the day was nice enough. Additionally, there are sometimes exhibitions and shows of Japanese culture held inside the same building, and if you are interested in that, I would probably try calling ahead to find out if anything like this is happening, on 4804 9141.

Getting There & Getting In

The Jardin Japones is open from 10am to 6pm daily, year round, and costs 4 pesos to get in, at the last time of checking. To get there you can take a number of buses, including the 10, 37, 67, 102 or 130.

Failing that, try a taxi, or take a pleasant walk to get there - either through the rest of the Palermo Parks that run along Avenida Sarmiento, before turning onto Avenida Berro, or if you are starting from the Palermo Chico area (where the Malba art museum is located), you could walk along Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, turning onto Avenida Casares to reach the Japanese Gardens. Well worth a sightseeing visit, however you arrive there:

Is there anything I have missed out or just got plain wrong about the Jardin Japones in the parks of Palermo? If so, please let me know by commenting below. Also feel free to do the same if you have been to these Japanese Gardens recently and would like to pass on your comments. Fred the fish will be on hand to monitor any responses:

Thanks!