Maymont Japanese Garden — Attraction in Richmond

​I recently visited the Maymont Japanese Garden, and I wanted to share my experience of this beautiful, tranquil space. It truly is one of Richmond's greatest gems. ​Overall Impression: ​Stepping into the Japanese Garden is like being instantly transported to another world. The contrast with the nearby Italian Garden is striking—here, it’s all about quiet introspection and the subtle beauty of nature. The "stroll garden" design works perfectly, revealing new, serene scenes as you walk the paths. It's a deeply shaded, cool, and intimate area that offers a wonderful escape. ​Highlights I Loved: ​The Waterfall and Koi Pond: The gentle sound of the man-made waterfall is incredibly soothing. Stopping by the pond to watch the large koi swim under the gracefully arched bridges was a real moment of peace. ​Architectural Elements: I particularly enjoyed the stone lanterns and the traditional torii arch. They add so much authenticity and structure to the natural landscape. ​The Colors and Textures: Unlike the bright flowers of other gardens, the Maymont Japanese Garden highlights the rich shades of green, brown, and gray. I made an effort to notice the varied textures of the stone, water, and pruned plants, which made for a much more thoughtful visit. ​A Note on Visiting: ​While the grounds are free, a suggested $5 donation per person is a small price to pay to help maintain this historic and stunning space. Be aware that the terrain is not fully accessible for wheelchairs or strollers due to the winding paths and steps, but the beauty makes it a worthwhile visit for anyone who can navigate it. It's a highly recommended spot for a romantic afternoon or simply a...

We really wish we got to see the gardens. Hence the 1 ⭐️

There is absolutely no accessibility for the handicapped. They don’t even offer golf cart tours for those who can’t walk the 1.5 miles to/from the gardens. My elderly father was really excited to see the Maymont Japanese Gardens and was instantly disappointed that they didn’t even have a wheelchair to offer us to cart him around in, after he walked way more than he was capable of to an unopened office, and contracted workers who couldn’t give us any answers.

Thankfully a kind worker stopped to answer a lot of questions. He informed us that the walk to the Japanese gardens is full of rough surfaces, ie; inclines, dirt, stones, roots, & mulch, strictly down or uphill. An accident waiting to happen for us.

Considering the 20 handicap spots in the parking lot, I assumed this place would have more accessibility for the handicapped. It is not ADA compliant to the least. It would be really cool if they offered golf cart tours the handicap at least 2x a day or by reservation. They have the golf cart- but it’s for weddings only. Funny though, cuz you could give someone a job just catering to the elderly & handicapped everyday… think about it !

Also, it’s mostly under construction… in the middle of the summer, which is silly and deflecting of tourism this...

Absolutely, beautiful! I went to the Garden Glow event at Maymont Park where they put on an impressive lights display throughout the park. We went into the feature area of the park around 5 and reached the Japanese Garden by trolley around 6 instead of walking all the way there. The mist impressive lights at Maymont were the Japanese Garden. It was a magical walk. The Garden Glow event continues through November 9 and the tickets (nonrefundable) are worth the purchase. There are portapotties and food trucks on the main park ground event area, "The Glow Village," outside...