Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden is a beautiful Japanese-style garden in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was built to celebrate the long history of friendship and diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Japan. It spans over 2.4 hectares and features Japanese-style bridges, a koi pond, a tea house, and other Japanese features.
We visited this garden last week, spending an afternoon walking around the gardens, taking in the sights and sounds of nature.
The garden has several scenic zones with their respective Japanese landscape theme: the reflexology garden, zen garden, stroll garden, terrace garden, and linking garden. Let me walk you through the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden in this video.
Booking.comThere is a large free parking area outside the entrance, which is free.
Don’t miss out on watching our video shot during our visit to Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden. It is at the end of this article. 👇👇
1. Reflexology garden
The first section after entering the garden is the section called reflexology garden.
The reflexology garden is based on the principle of reflexology. It is said that one can improve overall health and blood circulation. For example, visitors can remove their shoes to walk barefoot on the smooth stones.
The reflexology space features paths made of pebbles of different sizes. These materials stimulate the pressure points on the feet, providing a relaxing and therapeutic experience.
Along the path are bonsai trees, which add to the garden’s tranquil atmosphere.
There is also a path with bamboo-themed fences, which leads to the next section, the Terrace Garden.
2. Terrace garden
In the terrace garden, you’ll find hints of traditional Japanese architecture and various flowers and plants. This garden is said to represent the four seasons and features a series of terraces that lead down to the koi pond.
The terrace garden is a great place to take photos and offers sweeping views of the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden.
In the garden, you’ll find a series of steps leading up to a pond with some Japanese water features, and you can walk under the torii gateway commonly located in Japanese shrines.
3. Zen garden
After a stroll through the Terrace garden, I went to the Zen garden. The Zen garden is a tranquil zen space that promotes inner peace and relaxation. It features a sandpit, which is said to represent the ocean, and stones of different sizes and shapes.
The sandpit is raked in a pattern that represents the flow of energy. The stones are said to represent islands, and the different sizes and shapes represent the various stages of life.
The Zen garden is a great place to relax and reflect. I found it a very peaceful space, and I loved the feeling of being surrounded by nature.
4. Maze pond
This maze pond is located in the center of the garden and features several small bridges across the pond.
The maze pond is a great place to take photos, as there are many different vantage points from which to view the pond.
There are also picnic tables with chairs, and a few visitors enjoy their snacks while enjoying the scenic view of the garden.
5. Koi pond
The koi pond at Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden is home to over 200 koi fish of different colors and sizes. Koi fish are commonly associated with good luck in Japanese culture and are said to bring happiness and good fortune.
The koi pond is a great place to relax and watch the fish swim. I enjoyed watching the fish interact.
6. Stroll garden
The stroll garden is a beautiful space designed for visitors to take a leisurely walk.
This garden features a series of paths that wind through different areas of the garden.
The stroll garden is a great place to explore, and there are many different things to see along the way. Along the path, you’ll find a variety of flowers and plants, as well as a few sculptures.
7. Linking garden
In the Linking Garden, you can see a traditional Japanese tea house.
This garden symbolizes the link between Japan and Selangor and features a variety of flowers and plants.
There is also an authentic Shishi Odoshi device (also known as a scaredeer) here in the garden, which has been used in Japanese gardens for centuries to scare away wildlife that could be harmful to agriculture and farmers’ crops.
8. Selangor house (Rumah Selangor)
Selangor House is located in between the koi pond and the Linking Garden, which acts as a small museum that showcases traditional Japanese traditional clothing and artifacts.
This house is a great place to learn about the culture and history of Japan and also features a small gift shop. It also showcases some Selangor Malay customs besides the Japanese cultural elements.
Next to the Selangor House, you’ll find a stone basin called Tsukubai (traditional washbasin) water feature. This water feature is a traditional Japanese garden element and is said to represent purity.
Visiting the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden
The Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden is open daily to the public from 10 am to 7 pm. Admission is free. Visitors here can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the gardens, take photos of the lovely flowers and plant life, and learn about Japanese culture.
It is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a relaxing day out, especially if you like oriental gardens and Japanese culture.
With its vibrant flowers, tranquil ponds, and picturesque bridges fitted with wooden poles, the garden is a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and a perfect place for wedding photo shoots.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and have a chance to visit the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden soon!
- Address: Persiaran Bandar Raya, Seksyen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor (Located near Taman Tasik Shah Alam)
- Opening hours: 10.00 am to 6.30 pm daily (close on Monday)
- Phone: 011-3799 5848
- Entrance fee: Free to enter
How is the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden started?
There is a China-Malaysia Friendship Garden at Putrajaya to commemorate the diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. For the same reason, the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden was recently built to symbolize the trade and investment ties between Japan and the Selangor state. It is located in Shah Alam Lake Gardens, just across the Dataran Kemerdekaan. The garden was officially opened to the public on 12 March 2021 by the Shah Alam mayor.
Watch our video shot at Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden. 👇👇
If you have come so far reading this blog post, don’t miss out on the video we shot during our visit to the Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden. Click the image below to watch on YouTube (shot in high definition!).
Other best places to visit in Malaysia
- Best gardens at Cameron Highlands. If you like beautiful gardens, you will be delighted by the beautiful images shot during our trip to four famous gardens and plantations at Cameron Highlands.
- What are you planning for your next holiday? Check out our article: Langkawi – 15 Things to do for a perfect 4D3N tour.