How to Visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is more than a collection of plants and stones—it is a living embodiment of Japanese aesthetics, philosophy, and tranquility. Nestled on the campus of California State University, Long Beach, this 12-acre sanctuary offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic Japanese garden design in the heart of Southern California. Designed by renowned Japanese landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu and opened in 1969, the garden blends traditional elements such as koi ponds, tea houses, stone lanterns, and carefully pruned pines with the natural topography of the region. For travelers, students, photographers, mindfulness seekers, and cultural enthusiasts, visiting the garden is not merely a sightseeing activity—it is an immersive journey into harmony, balance, and quiet contemplation.

Understanding how to visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden goes beyond checking opening hours or buying a ticket. It involves preparing mentally and physically, respecting cultural nuances, navigating the space thoughtfully, and maximizing the sensory and educational experience. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning after years, this guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to ensure your visit is seamless, meaningful, and deeply rewarding. From planning your route to capturing the perfect moment without disturbing the serenity, every detail matters.

Step-by-Step Guide

Plan Your Visit in Advance

Before setting foot on the grounds, take time to research and plan. The garden operates on a seasonal schedule, with hours varying between summer and winter. Typically, it is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with last entry at 3:15 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Always verify current hours on the official website before departure, as special events or maintenance may temporarily alter access.

Reservations are not required for general admission, but they are strongly recommended during peak seasons—especially spring cherry blossom season (late February to mid-March) and autumn foliage season (November). These periods draw large crowds, and walk-in availability may be limited. Online reservations can be made through the garden’s official booking portal, which also allows you to select your preferred entry time. This minimizes wait times and ensures a more peaceful experience.

Choose the Right Day and Time

The quality of your visit is profoundly influenced by timing. Early mornings—between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.—are ideal. The light is soft, the air is cool, and the garden is quietest before school groups and tour buses arrive. Midday sun can be harsh, especially in summer, making walking uncomfortable and photography challenging. Late afternoons, from 2:30 p.m. onward, offer golden hour lighting that enhances the textures of moss, stone, and water, creating a magical atmosphere for photography and reflection.

Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. If your schedule permits, aim for Tuesday through Thursday. Avoid holiday weekends and university breaks, when campus traffic increases and the garden can become congested. Rainy days, while less common for visitors, offer a unique experience—the scent of wet earth, the sound of water dripping from bamboo fountains, and the reflective surfaces of ponds create a meditative ambiance rarely found on sunny days.

Plan Your Transportation and Parking

The garden is located at 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90815, on the CSU Long Beach campus. Public transportation options include the Long Beach Transit Line 111 and the Metro A Line (formerly Blue Line), with a transfer to a campus shuttle. However, most visitors arrive by car.

Free parking is available in Lot 15, directly across from the garden entrance. This lot fills quickly on weekends and during events, so arrive early. Alternative parking options include Lot 16 (a 5-minute walk) and Lot 20 (a 10-minute walk), both of which are also free. Avoid parking in reserved or permit-only zones, as vehicles may be towed. Use Google Maps or the CSULB campus map app to locate the most efficient route from your starting point.

For visitors with mobility needs, accessible parking spaces are available near Lot 15, and the garden offers complimentary wheelchairs and mobility scooters on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the garden in advance to reserve equipment.

Arrive and Check In

Upon arrival, proceed to the main entrance kiosk near the parking lot. Admission fees are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $5 for students (with valid ID), and free for children under 12 and CSU Long Beach students with ID. Payment is cashless—credit and debit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay and Google Pay. There are no ATMs on-site, so ensure you have payment ready.

At check-in, you’ll receive a printed map of the garden and a small booklet with interpretive information about key features. Staff may offer a brief orientation or suggest a recommended walking route based on your interests. Take a moment to review the map. The garden is divided into seven distinct zones: the Moon Bridge Pond, the Tea Garden, the Dry Garden, the Bamboo Grove, the Stone Pathway, the Waterfall Area, and the Quiet Courtyard.

Begin Your Walk: Follow the Natural Flow

Japanese gardens are designed with a principle called “shakkei” or “borrowed scenery,” where the surrounding landscape is incorporated into the composition. The path is intentionally non-linear, encouraging slow, mindful movement. Begin at the entrance gate, known as the “torii,” which symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the sacred.

Follow the winding stone pathway through the Bamboo Grove. The rustling leaves create a natural white noise that quiets the mind. Pause at the viewing platforms to observe how the bamboo is pruned to allow light to filter in just so. Do not touch or lean on the plants—each stem is carefully maintained for structural and aesthetic balance.

Next, approach the Moon Bridge Pond. This is the garden’s centerpiece. The arched bridge, constructed without nails, reflects perfectly in the water when conditions are still. Koi fish—some over 20 years old—glide beneath the surface. Feeding the koi is strictly prohibited; their diet is managed by garden staff to preserve health and color. Sit on the bench nearby and observe for at least five minutes. Notice how the water changes with the wind, how the clouds move across the surface, and how the colors of the fish shift with the light.

Continue to the Dry Garden, also known as a “karesansui.” This Zen garden features raked gravel representing water, with carefully placed stones symbolizing islands or mountains. The patterns are raked daily by gardeners using specialized wooden rakes. Do not walk on this area—it is not a path but a sacred composition. Stand at the designated viewing platform and contemplate the arrangement. The asymmetry, the spacing, the texture—all are intentional. There is no “right” way to interpret it; the meaning is personal.

Visit the Tea House and Experience Chanoyu

At the far end of the garden stands the traditional tea house, “Kakyo-an,” meaning “The Hermitage of the Dreaming Moon.” This structure, built in 1982, is a replica of a 17th-century Japanese tea house. Inside, the tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, and low entrance (designed to require bowing) embody humility and mindfulness.

While tea ceremonies are not offered daily, they are held on select Sundays and during cultural festivals. Check the calendar for upcoming events. Even if you don’t attend a ceremony, you may view the tea house from the outside. Notice the moss-covered roof, the bamboo water spout (shishi-odoshi), and the stone basin (tsukubai) used for ritual purification. The design encourages visitors to leave their worries behind before entering.

Explore the Waterfall and Stone Lanterns

Just beyond the tea house lies the waterfall, a cascading stream that feeds into the main pond. The sound is intentionally soothing, designed to mask distant city noise. Along the path, you’ll encounter over 30 stone lanterns, each with a different style and purpose. Some are for illumination, others for commemoration, and many for symbolic balance. The “water lanterns” are placed near the pond to reflect moonlight, while the “buried lanterns” are partially sunk into the earth to suggest humility.

Take your time reading the plaques that explain the history and symbolism of each lantern. Many were donated by alumni, community members, or Japanese cultural organizations. The inscriptions are often in classical Japanese calligraphy, and translations are provided.

End Your Visit with Reflection

Before exiting, pause at the Quiet Courtyard—a secluded space with a single maple tree, a stone basin, and a bench facing west. This is where visitors often sit to journal, meditate, or simply breathe. The garden is designed to conclude here, with the setting sun casting long shadows through the trees. Leave the same way you entered, passing once more through the torii gate. This symbolic return mirrors the Japanese concept of “wabi-sabi”—finding beauty in impermanence and transition.

Best Practices

Respect the Silence

Japanese gardens are not playgrounds or photo backdrops—they are places of contemplation. Keep conversations quiet. Avoid loud laughter, phone calls, or music. If you need to speak, lower your voice and move away from meditation areas. The garden’s design relies on natural sound: water, wind, birds. Human noise disrupts this delicate balance.

Follow the Path

Every stone, every stepping stone, every gravel pattern has been placed with intention. Do not shortcut across lawns, moss beds, or dry gardens. Even if a path seems unclear, follow the edges or wait for a sign. Walking off-path damages fragile ecosystems and disrespects the gardener’s craftsmanship. The garden’s beauty lies in its precision—preserve it.

Dress Appropriately

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip. The paths are uneven, and some stones are slippery when wet. Avoid high heels, flip-flops, or sandals. Dress in layers—temperatures can shift quickly, especially near water. In summer, wear a hat and sunscreen; in winter, bring a light jacket. Modest clothing is appreciated, especially near the tea house and ceremonial areas.

Photography Etiquette

Photography is permitted for personal use, but tripods and drones are strictly prohibited. Avoid using flash, especially near the tea house or in shaded areas where it can disturb wildlife. Do not pose for portraits on the Moon Bridge or in the Dry Garden—these are sacred spaces. If you’re photographing people, ask for permission from others in the frame. The goal is to capture the garden, not to turn it into a stage.

Leave No Trace

Carry out everything you bring in. There are no trash cans along the paths—this is intentional. Waste is collected at the entrance and exit to prevent attracting animals and to maintain the garden’s purity. Do not pick flowers, collect stones, or carve names into trees. Even small acts of removal disrupt centuries-old design principles.

Engage Mindfully

Instead of rushing to check off landmarks, spend time with one element. Sit by the koi pond for ten minutes. Trace the pattern of a single lantern’s shadow. Listen to the wind in the bamboo. Japanese gardens are not meant to be consumed quickly; they are meant to be felt slowly. Allow yourself to be present. This is the true purpose of the space.

Bring a Journal

Many visitors find that writing in a small notebook enhances their experience. Record observations: the color of the moss after rain, the way the light hits the bridge at 3:15 p.m., the sound of a crow calling from the pines. These notes become personal souvenirs far more meaningful than any postcard.

Tools and Resources

Official Website and App

The garden’s official website (www.japanesegarden.csulb.edu) is your primary resource. It includes the current calendar of events, seasonal highlights, admission details, and downloadable maps. The site also features a virtual tour and historical background on the garden’s creation. For mobile users, the “CSULB Gardens” app (available on iOS and Android) offers GPS-enabled walking tours, audio commentary in English and Japanese, and real-time alerts about closures or special programs.

Audio Guides and Printed Materials

Free audio guides are available at the entrance kiosk via QR code. Scan the code with your phone to access 15 curated audio segments, each focusing on a different area of the garden. The narration is delivered by a cultural historian and includes insights from Hoichi Kurisu’s original design notes. Printed guides are also available in English, Spanish, and Japanese. These booklets include diagrams, historical context, and haiku written by visiting poets.

Recommended Reading

To deepen your understanding before or after your visit, consider these books:

• The Art of Japanese Gardens by David A. Slawson
• Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren
• Japanese Garden Design by Marc Peter Keane
• Tea: The Drink That Changed the World by Laura C. Martin

These texts explore the philosophical underpinnings of Japanese aesthetics and will enrich your appreciation of the garden’s subtle details.

Guided Tours and Workshops

While self-guided visits are encouraged, the garden offers monthly guided tours led by trained docents. These 75-minute walks delve into the symbolism of stones, the history of tea culture, and the seasonal changes in plant life. Tours are free with admission and require no reservation—just arrive 10 minutes early at the kiosk. Seasonal workshops include ikebana (flower arranging), bonsai pruning, and calligraphy sessions. Check the website for upcoming dates.

Volunteer and Educational Opportunities

For those seeking deeper involvement, the garden offers a volunteer program for students and community members. Volunteers assist with maintenance, lead school tours, and help with events. Training is provided. University students can also enroll in “Landscape and Culture,” a credit-bearing course offered through CSU Long Beach’s Department of Art and Design that includes weekly garden sessions.

Seasonal Calendars and Alerts

Subscribe to the garden’s email newsletter for updates on cherry blossoms, autumn colors, lantern festivals, and moon-viewing nights. The garden also posts daily Instagram stories (@earlburnsmillerjapanesegarden) showing real-time conditions, bloom status, and quiet moments captured by staff photographers. These visual updates help you plan your visit for optimal conditions.

Real Examples

Example 1: A Student’s Quiet Discovery

Maya, a sophomore studying psychology at CSU Long Beach, visited the garden during finals week feeling overwhelmed. She had heard about it from a professor but never thought to go. On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, she walked in, sat by the waterfall, and simply listened. She stayed for two hours. “I didn’t take a photo. I didn’t even think about my phone. I just heard the water and felt my breathing slow down. I left with a clarity I hadn’t had in months.” She now visits every other week and volunteers on Saturdays.

Example 2: A Photographer’s Journey

David, a professional landscape photographer from San Diego, came to capture the autumn maple leaves. He arrived at 7:45 a.m., before opening, and waited outside with his tripod (which he left in the car, per rules). He spent the day moving slowly, photographing only what the light revealed. He shot 120 frames. Only three made it to his portfolio. “The garden taught me restraint,” he said. “I used to think I needed to capture everything. Now I know: sometimes the most powerful image is the one you don’t take.”

Example 3: A Cultural Exchange

A group of Japanese exchange students from Kyoto visited the garden during their orientation. One student, Emi, was moved to tears. “In Kyoto, my family has a small garden. But this… this is like home, but bigger. I could feel the same quiet. The same respect.” She returned with her host family and now leads cultural tours for new international students. “It’s not just a garden,” she says. “It’s a bridge.”

Example 4: A Family Tradition

The Nakamura family from Orange County has visited the garden every spring since 2008. Their daughter, now 18, was five when they first came. Each year, they plant a small stone marker with her initials near the bamboo grove. “It’s our way of remembering time,” says her father. “The garden grows. We grow. The stones stay.”

FAQs

Can I bring food or drinks into the garden?

Outside food and beverages are not permitted, except for water in sealed containers. There is a small café at the entrance that offers tea, matcha lattes, and light Japanese-inspired snacks such as mochi and rice balls. Eating is only allowed in the designated picnic area outside the garden gates.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed, except for certified service animals. This protects the delicate ecosystem and ensures the space remains peaceful for all visitors.

Is the garden accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes. All major paths are paved and ADA-compliant. Wheelchairs and strollers can navigate the terrain, though some gravel areas may be challenging. Mobility scooters are available upon request. Restrooms are fully accessible.

Can I get married or hold an event in the garden?

Yes, but only through a formal application process. The garden hosts a limited number of weddings and cultural events annually. Applications must be submitted at least three months in advance. Fees apply, and strict guidelines govern decor, noise, and guest numbers to preserve the garden’s integrity.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

Spring (late February–April) offers cherry blossoms and azaleas. Summer (June–August) is lush and green, with vibrant koi. Fall (October–November) features brilliant red and gold maple leaves. Winter (December–February) is quiet and serene, with frost on stones and bare branches revealing the garden’s structure. Each season reveals a different soul of the garden.

Can I sketch or paint in the garden?

Yes. Sketching and plein air painting are encouraged. Bring a small easel or sketchbook. Avoid large setups that obstruct pathways. No commercial photography or art sales are permitted without prior approval.

How long should I plan to spend in the garden?

Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours. If you’re a slow walker, photographer, or meditator, allow 3 hours. Rushing through defeats the purpose. The garden rewards patience.

Is there a gift shop?

Yes. The gift shop offers handcrafted items: Japanese ceramics, calligraphy sets, seed packets of garden plants, books, and tea. All proceeds support garden maintenance and educational programs. Items are curated to reflect the garden’s philosophy—simple, thoughtful, enduring.

Conclusion

Visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is not an errand—it is an invitation. An invitation to slow down. To listen. To see with new eyes. In a world that demands speed, productivity, and constant stimulation, this garden offers something radical: stillness. It does not shout. It does not advertise. It simply exists, quietly beautiful, patiently maintained, deeply intentional.

By following this guide, you do more than navigate a physical space—you honor a tradition that spans centuries. You become part of a lineage of visitors who have come before you, seeking peace, inspiration, and connection. Whether you come for the koi, the lanterns, the tea house, or the silence, you leave changed. Not because the garden changed you—but because you allowed yourself to be still enough to notice.

Plan your visit with care. Arrive with humility. Leave with gratitude. And remember: the garden is not a place you conquer. It is a place you enter—and in entering, you are entered by it.