Tucked behind a senior center in Hayward, you’ll find the Hayward Japanese Gardens, a 3.5-acre public park that’s been hidden away there since 1980.
Free to enter and open every single day, the gardens draw locals seeking a quiet pocket of calm in the East Bay.
Here’s a closer look…
3.5 acres of tranquility
Master gardener Kimio Kimura designed the Hayward Japanese Gardens in a traditional Japanese style, using California-native stone and plants. Each element in the garden follows traditional Japanese design principles, from recessed nails to aged, unstained wood. As such, the tiny oasis has been described as the oldest traditional-style Japanese garden in California.
The grounds contain over 70 plant types, including mondo grasses, junipers, blossoming cherry trees, and rhododendron. See them tucked around stone lanterns, sculptural trees, arched bridges, and a tiny waterfall arranged around a central koi pond.
At the heart of the gardens sits a small wooden gazebo that juts out over the koi pond, offering a tranquil spot to sit and take photos before continuing your stroll along the winding paths.
Visiting Hayward Japanese Gardens
The Hayward Japanese Gardens are free for the public to visit, making them one of the only free Japanese gardens in the Bay Area. Most visitors linger for no more than an hour, pausing for pictures and a brief respite from Hayward’s nearby downtown.
📍 Location: 22373 N 3rd St, Hayward, CA 94546
🕜 Hours: Open from 8:30am to 4pm daily
You may also enjoy free daily admission at San Mateo Japanese Gardens in San Mateo Central Park. Alternatively, SF’s Japanese Tea Garden is free to SF residents, or to the general public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 9 and 10 am.
