The Japanese Garden (6.5 acres) is located on the grounds of the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant at 6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, California, in the midst of the San Fernando Valley. It was designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana and constructed between 1980 and 1983, with formal dedication on June 18th, 1984. The Garden has been ranked 10th out of 300 public Japanese Gardens in the United States by the Journal of Japanese Gardening.

As one first enters the Garden, one walks through a dry Zen meditation garden (Karesansui) containing a large grass-covered mound, representing Tortoise Island which is a symbol of longevity, and a Three Buddha arrangement of stones. Next comes an expansive chisen , or "wet strolling" garden with waterfalls, lakes, greenery, and stone lanterns. At path's end is the Shoin Building with an authentic 4-1/2 tatami tea house and adjacent tea garden.