Kariya Park is one of the most tranquil places amidst the bustling city of Mississauga, Ontario. It is a peaceful Japanese garden that pays tribute to Kariya City in Japan, the twinned sister city to Mississauga.
Kariya Garden is located centrally in the core of the city near Square One, the biggest shopping mall in the area. It's also one of the best gardens in the Toronto area, especially if you love viewing cherry blossoms in the spring.
However, you would hardly know you were near such a noisy and busy place when you step foot inside this calm and quiet park. When I wrote this article, we only lived a short drive away in the village of Port Credit by Lake Ontario.
Kariya Park is included in our "Japan in Toronto" itinerary. Check that out if you're interested in a whole day of Japanese-inspired fun.
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All About Kariya Park in Mississauga
Kariya Park officially opened in July 1992, celebrating the 11th year anniversary of the twin-city relationship between Mississauga and Kariya. Its design was a collaboration between Canadian and Japanese planners.
The city planners in Mississauga wanted to ensure that the park would be authentically Japanese in its character and appearance. The Japanese garden pays attention to aesthetic, balance, and rhythm.
Visiting Kariya Park
Justin and I visited Kariya Park in the spring, hoping to see some cherry blossoms in bloom. In this particular occasion, we had a harsh winter so there weren't many cherry blossoms, but I think you'll have better luck than we did.
Even if there aren't any cherry blossoms, this is a beautiful Japanese garden. Many trees and plants of Japanese origin adorn Kariya Park.
These include ginkgo (at the park's entrance), redbud, sweetgum, peonies, and Japanese maple. The park's entrance is lined with Kariya's official city flower, the delicate purple rabbit-ear iris. This blooms a little later in the season.
The Pavilion and Friendship Bell
One of the focal points of the park is the Pavilion, a Japanese-style building with two sections - one each representing both Mississauga and Kariya, with the Friendship Bell located in the middle.
The Friendship Bell was cast in Japan and donated by Kariya City in the year 2001 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the twin-city relationship. This bronze bell is a symbol of friendship between the two cities that will last forever.
There are iris flowers on the bell and the symbol of Kariya City. This includes a wild goose (Kari) about to take flight and a figure 8 (Ya), both symbolic of future development in the city. If you combine the two words (Kari and Ya), you get the name of the city - Kariya!
An inscription on the bell reads: "By welcoming the new century this bell is produced as a symbol of everlasting friendship between the City of Mississauga and the City of Kariya".
Large Pond and Bridge
Directly in front of the Pavilion is a large pond with a bridge crossing over it. There are many animals that live in the pond, including Canada Geese, ducks, fish, and even turtles!
While we didn't get to see any turtles, but we saw geese and ducks swimming around and resting on the rocks. Keep an eye out for local wildlife.
South Pond and Woodland
In this area, we witnessed water cascading down the rocks into a small pond shaded by many large trees. Continue walking down the path into a shady, wooded area which is incredibly green with woodland plants and ferns.
This is a great place to go for a little walk, relax, and take in the beautiful scenery around you. I loved how this section of the park was so peaceful, like much of the park.
Friendship Between Two Cities
Near the front entrance of the park, there is a plaque to commemorate the friendship between the two cities.
Up close, you can see a photo collage of citizens from Mississauga and Kariya. Kariya Park celebrates this special connection between Mississauga and Kariya, Japan.
And when you look from far away, you can see that the photos come together to create one single image representing the Japanese festival in Kariya, Mando Matsuri. Mando Matsuri is a festival that has been celebrated for more than 200 years by residents of Kariya, Japan.
The "Mando" are huge, colorful, paper lanterns. People from all over the city hold the Mando for the God of the Akiba Shrine to pray for rain. It's a magnificent sight to witness the massive, bright, and beautiful Mando floating across the summer sky.
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Mississauga
Cherry blossoms at Kariya Park typically bloom around the second week of May, although the blooms seem to appear earlier and earlier every year. It all depends on the winter and spring weather.
When I visited, the trees inside the park unfortunately didn't produce any blooms that year. However, there was one tree just outside the park gates with cherry blossoms in full bloom.
As the cherry blossoms at Toronto's High Park tend to bloom anywhere between the third week of April and the first week of May (it varies from year to year), their blossom forecast aligns with the blooming Kariya Park's cherry blossoms.
Plan Your Visit to Kariya Park
To see pictures of Mississauga Park in Kariya, Japan, please visit the Mississauga Friendship Association website. It includes features like a large maple leaf structure, a log cabin, a replica of Mississauga's Civic Centre, and a sculpture of a bear riding in a canoe. How Canadian!
Kariya Park is open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm, and there are places to park your car on the street (Kariya Drive). These spots are limited and there is a small parking fee, so I suggest parking at Square One Shopping Mall and walking over.
Garden pathways are not cleared in the winter months, so access may be limited during those times. The best time to visit Kariya Park is from spring to fall.
Thinking about going for lunch or tea after your visit to Kariya Park? The Vegetarian Tea House at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Mississauga is the perfect choice!
If you're interested in doing some more scenic walks or hikes in the city, check out the top 10 hiking trails in Mississauga.
Want more travel tips and inspiration? Follow me on Instagram! I share daily adventures, whether I'm at home in Ontario, Canada, or halfway across the world!
Don't forget travel insurance!
Heading out of the country? Don't forget to get travel insurance. It's best to be covered in case of an emergency, cancellation or accident.
Reza Khan says
Are there any cherry blossoms in the park yet?
Michelle says
I had so much fun at this park. The cherry blossoms are absolutely beautiful . The atmosphere is relaxing and amusing. I immediately felt happy and excited when I saw the pink cherry blossoms, cute ducks, and pond. It was a place worth visiting.
Mary {The World Is A Book} says
I love Japanese gardens and this one is a beauty. What a peaceful place to stroll around and relax. I'm glad you went back for the cherry blossoms. That picture is great! It's always great to be a tourist in your hometown. There's a reason people come to visit it after all. Our favorite is Balboa Park here in San Diego.
Justin and Lauren says
It is very peaceful and would be a great place to just relax and even read a book!
Becky Padmore says
Looks very zen! I love places like this, great photos too!
Justin and Lauren says
It is a really nice little park with some character, too! A peaceful place in the city.
Sam says
I love Japanese gardens, and this one looks really lovely! I also love the 'being a tourist in your own town' thing. There are so many places I want to visit in the UK, and even in London (my hometown), every time I go back, there are new things to discover. It's so easy to overlook these things that are so close to home - glad you're taking full advantage of them!
Justin and Lauren says
I like exploring areas of our town that we haven't visited before - it's a lot of fun, especially when we can't be traveling about to foreign destinations! I also hope it's helpful for anyone else who's looking for things to do around here, if they're visiting or if they live here! I'd love to explore London sometime too! that would be amazing.
Dave says
What a unique (and tranquil) spot inside a North American city. It's great that the twinned cities have gone to such lengths to associate with each other - usually you just see a street named after the other city and a plaque!
Justin and Lauren says
They really do put a lot of effort into staying connected and helping each other out! It's really nice to see. Our mayor is amazing. She's very well known around here, Mayor Hazel McCallion - she's been elected mayor for 35 years and is finally retiring next year at age 93! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_McCallion
hikebiketravel says
Looks like a great place, My fave in Calgary is Nose Hill Park - it's wilder but it provides great city, prairie and mountain views.
I have been through Mississauga a zillion times but have never heard of this park.
Justin and Lauren says
I'd love to visit some parks in Calgary! It would be amazing to go hiking in Alberta, too, as I've seen from your blog :)
Pasation Travellers says
Thank you for sharing this hidden gem in the midst of an urban area. From the beautiful photography I can visualize a peaceful place to go for a stroll and be part of nature...definitely planning a visit soon!
Safe travels,
Tony
Justin and Lauren says
You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It is a really peaceful spot for a little walk or just admiring your surroundings!