All the reviews describing how lovely the garden is are true. In early February we were additionally enchanted by an elegant white heron that calmly walked along the edge of the lake a few feet from where we were standing plus geese and cormorants and lots of lively ducks. The magic spell however was pretty much destroyed when we arrived at the boathouse. From the outside we could see benches that had a stunning view of the silver blue lake so we strolled in only to almost run right out. At the back of the room is a television where a voice is going on and on about how wonderful the Japanese Garden is which completely destroys the serenity of the most beautiful part of it. Inexplicable!!!