Japánkert in Zugló Budapest
Hidden zen oasis
Iulia from Budapest
The Japanese garden on Margaret Island may be the most famous of its kind in the city, but it always felt a bit mainstream to me, too overrun by visitors to allow for the kind of quiet introspection I assume Japanese gardens were originally meant for. I was therefore happy to discover that a much less known garden lies tucked away in a leafy corner of Zugló, on the premises of the Varga Márton gardening school.
The garden was set up by the school’s founder, Márton Varga, in 1928 and the stones which make up its walkways were excavated during the construction of the cogwheel railway line to Normafa. Varga tried to respect Japanese principles as much as he could and centred the garden around a small system of lakes. In 1931, the garden was visited by Prince Takamatsu of the Japanese imperial household, who brought several plants as gifts, of which a cherry tree still stands in the garden today. Other noteworthy trees include a Norway maple, estimated to be around 140 years old, a dawn redwood, thought to have been extinct until the 1950s when it was rediscovered in China, a Himalayan white pine and a Japanese pagoda tree.
Guided tours are available for those interested in even more botanical curiosities, but the little garden is just as charming even if you just wander around aimlessly, or come for a picnic- eating food brought from outside is allowed as long as you clean up any resulting litter - obviously.
Budapest Spotter Iulia
About this spot
Our Budapest City Guide
Find your way with 176 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Budapest
Móka
A multifunctional little corner
Móka in Budapest immediately drew my attention with its modesty mixed with eclectic coziness. It's the perfect place to meet locals from the neighborhood!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Trafó House
The hub of contemporary art
Trafó House is the place to go if you're interested Budapest's contemporary art of all kinds. Its unique atmosphere keeps bringing me back.
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Vas Manci
Taste of a Mediterranean Dream
Vas Manci is a cozy, one-woman tapas bar, full of heart, flavor and stories. It has a well-curated menu and a warm character in a pulsing location.
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Ukrán Udvar
Delights from babusya's courtyard
"Ukrán Udvar" in Budapest means 'Ukrainian courtyard' -- come eat some borsch and dumplings with sour cream exactly like at your grandmother's...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Alföldi Cipő
Hungarian leather shoes & slippers
"Alföldi Cipő" and their outlet in Budapest do not follow the same big-name trends to be found in regular shoe fashion. They've stuck to quality...
by
Zoltán
Fejes
Wekerle Estate
A fall fairy in the city
"Wekerle Estate" in Budapest is like a village within the city - inspired my medieval & rural buildings, it has created a beautiful sense of local spirit.
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Lake Naplás
Urban waterworld
Artificial "Lake Naplás" in Budapest is an unexpected delight where few downtowners or tourists ever venture. It's perfect for interesting nature treks...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Massolit Books & Café
Every reader's dream
"Massolit Books & Café" is a coffee shop in an English bookstore. I wrote my 1st novel here, several short stories... I'd miss it the most were I to leave.
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Auróra
Home for the most diverse
Auróra in Budapest is a place to create, attend workshops, concerts, parties, rituals... It's a big survivor in the district and it keeps fighting!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Szabad Bisztró
Vegan dishes and local drinks
Szabad Bisztró in Budapest has delicious vegan dishes and local drinks, but it's also associated with local initiatives, as with the terrace out front!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Könyv Szekér
Bookstores on wheels
The concept of Könyv Szekér in Budapest is to save books from being thrown out or destroyed — they are little mobile bookstores on old-school carriages!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Heading to Budapest?
176 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Budapest?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 176 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Budapest
Our team loves Budapest
Get to know our other Spotters from Budapest
As featured on:
