Japanese Gardens add to the beauty of Sioux Falls

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Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
Lantern statues are located throughout the Japanese Gardens

What do Japan and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, have in common? Quick answer would probably be very little. However, if you take a closer look, you’ll see that Japanese art has influenced one city park. Terrace Park is home to the Shoto-Teien Japanese Gardens.

The gardens were the creation of Joe Maddox in the 1920s-30s. He studied Japanese landscape and believed the style would add to the beauty of the park, which includes Covell Lake. The gardens were recognized with a Better Homes and Gardens award in 1934.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
Statues provide some great public art work

Then, World War II happened. Racial prejudice toward Japanese people targeted the gardens. People vandalized the area. It was left to fade away, with damaged property and overgrown weeds and grass. But in the late 1980s, a group of civic-minded people sought to restore the Japanese Gardens. The Shoto-Teien organization worked with the city to restore the gardens.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
The gardens have a lot of stone work

Today, visitors can take a nice walk along a lakeside path and view Japanese pagoda lanterns and overhangs among the trees, flowers and plants. It’s a small portion of Terrace Park, but it’s a beautiful area.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
The gardens path is lined with trees and plants

The stone lantern sculptures dot the path. They are great photo opps, as we saw a couple taking wedding photos along the garden path.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
We loved the stone art

There are overhangs where you can sit and take in the view of the lake. The overhangs are designed with a Japanese flair, as well.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
An overhang where people can sit and take in the views. It’s a popular area for photographs.

Some of the overhangs have a fan style roof, so when you stand above them on another walk, they look like Japanese fans.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
Fan-shaped overhang looking out toward the lake

A small waterfall is located along the walk. It adds to the ambiance of the gardens.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
The Japanese gardens have a nice waterfall along the path

The Japanese Gardens have a variety of trees. They add to the beauty of the area along the path.

Sioux Falls Japanese Gardens
We enjoyed the variety of trees in the gardens

The Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park offer a nice relaxing stroll. We recommend visiting the park when in Sioux Falls.

For more information on the Japanese gardens, please visit www.visitsiouxfalls.com.