About the Garden

Admission & Hours



Hours

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is CLOSED for the season as of January 31, meaning the garden and Visitors Centre will be closed until spring. Our office staff can be reached by emailing info@nikkayuko.com. 

General Admission 

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is now CLOSED. We willl reopen in the spring, date to be announced. Please stay tuned to our website, Facebook page, and sign up for our newsletter for updates. 


Garden Rules

  • The Garden is a smoke and vape-free environment
  • No climbing on trees or going off the pathways, particularly on the ariso [flat rock] beaches
  • Guests must take their shoes off to enter the pavilion or use provided shoe covers in order to protect the wood floors (pavilion is not open during the winter months)
  • Please keep Nikka Yuko concession items outside of the pavilion. Outside food and beverages are not permitted other than water bottles.
  • Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions, shoes and shirts are required for all guests.
  • Masks are required for all guests while inside the pavilion or Visitors Centre as per the City of Lethbridge bylaw (children aged 2 and under are exempt) 
  • Dogs and other animals are not allowed in the garden at any time, with the exception of certified service animals
  • The garden does not allow drone photography/filming at any time


    COVID-19 Policies

    Due to regulations and restrictions from Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta, we have the following policies in place for all guests visiting Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden this season. Please read them to ensure a smooth visit to our garden:

    • If you, anyone in your household or anyone you've been in contact with in the past 14 days have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or if you're currently waiting for test results for COVID-19 we ask that you do not visit Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden at this time. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, and/or sore throat. 
    • If you communicate to staff during your visit that any of the above applies to you, you will be asked to leave the garden. Your admission will be refunded and we will be happy to arrange a visit at a later date.
    • Masks are mandatory for all guests (those two and under are exempt) while visiting Nikka Yuko, both indoors and outdoors. Disposable masks are provided for guests, or you may wish to wear your own. 
    • Guests may only attend in groups of up to 10 people. Guests who arrive in groups larger than 10 will be required to stagger their entry and must keep a distance of two metres from all other attendees outside their household. All groups may need to separate for entry into the garden to prevent congestion at the gate, but groups of 10 and under may rejoin once they've been welcomed by our staff. 
    • Please follow social distancing protocols (2 metres/6 feet) between other guests to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
    • Please follow all signage and our self-guided brochure to prevent congestion - the garden is currently set up for one-way traffic through the paths only.
    • Please ask for assistance when wanting to make a purchase in our gift shop.
    • Touchless payment (credit cards and debit cards) are preferred over cash, when possible.
    • The garden will be limiting guests per hour depending on current government restrictions.
    • Please leave large bags and backpacks at home or in your vehicle.
    • All programming and activities reflect physical distancing guidelines. Please do NOT move the seating provided in certain locations. Do NOT move any signage throughout the garden.
    • Please wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer provided throughout the garden and facilities.
    • Washrooms have frequent sanitation and are restricted to TWO individuals from the same household at one time.
    • Public spaces, displays and non-wood surfaced seating are cleaned at regular intervals
    • Feel free to ask for gloves during your visit if you need them for engaging with hands-on activities.
    • All staff will be equipped with face masks and are washing and sanitizing their hands frequently.
    • Feel free to stop to take photos, but please be aware of other guests who may be waiting to pass and do not block the pathways. 
    • Please provide feedback to staff on how we can better serve you during this time.