mizumoto japanese stroll garden

The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is a 7.5 acre garden that is a part of a larger 111 acre site known as the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Green/Close Memorial Park in Springfield, MO. There is a large koi lake, moon bridge, meditation garden, tea house and traditional Japanese garden landscaping. Isesaki, Japan is a sister city to Springfield, MO. It is a beautiful garden to see year round, but the spring and fall or some of the best times to visit. There are a couple community events throughout the year and exchange opportunities with the sister city. There are several nice photo opportunities within the garden. There is a small fee to stroll through the garden.

Always a pleasant experience. The scenery is beautiful, the path is interesting, and it's always fun to feed the oversized goldfish that swim in the calm ponds.

I went to the garden expecting a lot. First of all, the list of prices were different then what they charged me at the door, which was probably the festivals fault more than the gardens, but if you list a price for the festival, I expect to pay the price, obviously. The garden itself is well kept. Which it should be because it charges an entrance fee. Everything is spread out though, which I was surprised at. It gives the illusion of being big and grand, but each of the exhibits are small. It IS beautiful, I'll give you that. It IS unique. My favorite part was the giant rock garden. The festival was supposed to be about how Springfield is a neighbor of a Japanese town and supposedly very true to Japanese culture. I would've loved to do the tea drinking but it was way too expensive. The sumo wrestlers were entertaining and informative and obviously the big draw for the festival. I say supposedly because it was a very "Americanized" version. Immediately coming in, I'm bombarded by job requests from Chase Bank and Price Cutter tents offering luke warm, sunned sushi. There was a ukele performance (not to knock the performers, they were good) who did Beatles songs! I wouldn't PAY to go inside the gardens again, more than once is too many times for the price. I don't understand why I need to pay when the park is not pay. And the festival was just not as good as I expected.

The park is good by itself, but I usually go here every year for the Japanese Fall Fest, which is always fun. The Japanese Stroll Garden is beautiful!

This is a hidden gem I discovered a few years ago. The stroll gardens are absolutely lovely and I always enjoy my visits. From the beautiful Koi ponds to the gazebos and rock gardens, the stroll gardens are a haven from a busy and frenetic lifestyle. A very romantic spot for couples or a fun place for the family, the stroll gardens are one of my favorite spots in town. A definite must-see for visitors and locals alike!

My first visit to the Gardens was for an extra credit assignment to go to a festival here. It is one of my favorite places in the city now!!

Beautiful place to take pictures and go for a walk. My 4 year old son loved feeing he koi and walking over the bridges. Very affordable. I will for sure go here again.

This place is so pretty! Although there is a small fee, it is worth it. The paths are clean and fun to walk. There is a lot of goose poop, but I guess that can't really be helped. I would definitely recommend.

I recently moved to the area but discovered the stroll gardens on a previous visit. Last year and this year, my fiance and I attended the Japanese festival that takes place here. While the festival is great fun and well worth going to in its own right, the gardens are all amazing! Beautifully designed, tons of fantastic photo ops, and a very relaxing atmosphere. Highly recommend for couples, but it's very family-friendly, or just a wonderfully peaceful place to visit when you need to get away on your own for a bit!

Am always amazed when visiting this local jewel. Experienced the wonderful Japanese Fall Festival last weekend and was overcome by the beauty of the grounds. Exquisite flower beds, koi ponds, waterfalls, trees and lovely architecture throughout including bridges, and stroll paths. Hands down one of the most beautiful and photogenic garden in the area...do NOT miss Mizumoto. My daughter loves the geese, birds and lush surroundings and elects it her favorite place also. There is also an area for weddings which is quite intriguing, as i am renewing my vows again... might just be the winning idea!

Visited the gardens with my boyfriend for a small fee of $3 per person. We wanted to feed the fish, so for $1 at the admission stand you can get a packed snack size ziploc bag of fish food. We spent a lot of our time watching a crane search food it's dinner (lol). We really enjoyed ourselves and even had a picnic at the Nathaniel Greens Park. Definately a must see. (Side note: Only downfall I had was the only things that were "Japanese" related were the fish and small buildings. None the less still a great place to go.)

Got to gardens just as rain showers ended. Sunny but cool after rain.Walk was comfortable and just after rain we could smell the evergreens and mulch.Well kept gardens. All prior reviews detail what is there. Very nice and relaxing.For 3 dollars this was great deal. I sure hope it can be sustained to keep the gardens running!

Open April to October from 9 am - 7:30 pm. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays . 7.5 acre landscaped gardens. Winding paths, pools with koi fish ( although hard to see in the green water), ceremonial tea house, moon bridge, & meditation garden. You can buy koi fish food for $1 at the ticket office when you pay your entry fee.I would definately recommend & visit again if we are in the area.

We went back to this park after about 10 years of forgetting about it. We wanted to walk and let the grandson feed the fish. There is a small fee for adults but kids are free. Fish food is very inexpensive and you get lots. When our other grandkids came, we went back. They all enjoyed this place and they were 4, 6, and 10. That's a wide age range to enjoy such a simple little park. The youngest two had fun just running along the paths, climbing on the rocks and bridges, and feeding the fish and turtles. The oldest one just enjoyed it all. A nice, quiet simple place to take your family. Especially if you live in or around Springfield, MO. Also if you are visiting the area.

I did not know this place even existed for quite a while. But now I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. This is a ridiculously cool garden area tucked away in the back of the Botanical gardens. Yes, you have to pay. But go ahead & do it. Objectively the garden probably isn't that big, but it's so well designed with several different paths, nooks & crannies that you'll feel like it's almost Tardis-y. Everything is well maintained & taken care of, with one unfortunate exception. The Canadian Geese. I realize they're protected, and they enjoy the garden just as much as we do, but man, they were thick when we visited. Both in number, and in droppings. You can mostly avoid them, but the honking & pooping does detract from the ambiance just a bit. Unless you like honking and pooping, but who am I to judge? But seriously, find a lower goose season, buy yourself some fish food, and take a stroll.