The Kaiserslautern at the Gartenschau and Japanischer Garten!

Now that summer is here, all roads around Kaiserslautern seem to lead to the Gartenschau (Garden Show) and Japanischer Garten (Japanese Garden) in the heart of the city. Eventually, all Kaiserslautern residents and visitors make their way to the gardens to enjoy beautiful days and hours of relaxation during the spring, summer, and fall.

Gartenschau
The Gartenschau grew out of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Garden Show of 2000. It features an exhibition hall, a Blumenhalle that hosts indoor flower shows, and acres of outdoor gardens and open spaces. For the 2016 season, the exhibition hall houses a Lego display. Visitors can marvel at large Lego models and spend some time creating their own structures in a play area. Once the Lego masterpieces are complete, visitors can explore outside. The Gartenschau is divided up into several sections so that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Walking paths meander around huge dinosaur sculptures and flower patches. Several play areas that feature a small skating park, mini-golf, a stream and water feature, and huge play structures invite children of all ages to play for hours. Bistro tables tucked in the rose garden and benches hidden in the cactus garden provide private places to meet friends, enjoy a picnic or meal from the on-site café, or listen to a concert on a summer evening.

Each opening season, several special events such as a French Garden party, church services, and children festivals make the Gartenschau a must-see destination.   Information about upcoming special events can be found here. From the first of September through the end of October, the Gartenschau is transformed into a fall spectacular. Over 40,000 pumpkins are used to create figures and scenes that delight visitors every year. For many families, it becomes a tradition to stroll through the garden every fall to see the pumpkin sculptures. It’s easy to understand why visitors find families lounging on picnic blankets and couples walking hand-in-hand every day that the Gartenschau is open.

Japanischer Garten

The Japanischer Garten is located just down the street from the Gartenschau, so it is easy to visit both locations in a single day. The garden is not large, but it is stunning. It opened in conjunction with the Rhineland-Palatinate State Garden Show in 2000 after its sister city in Japan inspired its construction. Today, visitors find a perfectly manicured landscape accented by ponds, waterfalls, and a Zen garden. The city noise that surrounds the garden is blocked out by the sound of water trickling over rocks, so visitors feel that they are entering a space of peace and beauty. Paths guide people from one garden scene to the next with stops at statues, a small café, a tea house, and spaces utilized for yoga classes, weddings, and special performances. The Japanischer Garten, like the Gartenschau, offers a perfect place to appreciate a beautiful day outdoors in Kaiserslautern.

Details for Your Visit

The Gartenschau is open daily during spring, summer, and fall from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. March 24th was 2016’s opening day, and October 31st will be the closing day. It is very easy to reach by train; the Kaiserslautern-West station is located right next to the main entrance. It is also easy to reach by car. If driving, the address that should be entered in a GPS is Lauterstraβe 51, 67659 Kaiserslautern. All roads leading into Kaiserslautern feature the Gartenschau prominently on signs to make it as easy to find as possible. Parking areas dedicated to the Gartenschau and Japanischer Garten are clearly marked along Lauterstraβe.   The parking areas charge a small fee of €2 for the entire day.

Individual tickets for the Gartenschau and the Japanischer Garten are available, or combination tickets can be purchased. Day tickets to the Gartenschau are €7 for adults, €5 for students aged 16-25, and €3 for children aged 6-16. Children under the age of 6 enter for free. Discounted rates are available for groups and those with disabilities. One adult accompanied by his or children can purchase a family ticket for €10, and two adults with their children can enter for €17. Season family passes that cover two adults and their children can be purchased for €45, a single adult pass is available for €35, and those who qualify for reduced rates (such as children or disabled persons) can purchase season passes for €20. Season passes cover admission to the Gartenschau and the Japanischer Garten. More information about visiting the Gartenschau can be found at www.gartenschau-kl.de or by contacting info@gartenschau-kl.de or 0631 71007-0.

In addition to season passes, combination tickets that allow same day visits to the Gartenschau and Japanischer Garten are available. They cost €9.50 for adults, €6.50 for students aged 16-25, and €4 for children aged 6-16. Family combination tickets are €14.50 for one adult with his or children and €23 for two adults with their children. Day tickets to just the Japanischer Garten are available for €5.50 for adults, €3.50 for students between the ages of 17-25, and €3 for youths aged 12-16. Children who are 11 years old and younger may enter the garden for free. Reduced tickets are available for groups and those with disabilities.

Like the Gartenschau, the Japanischer Garten is open during certain seasons. The 2016 opening season began on March 24th and will end October 31st. The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, though the closing time changes to 6:00 PM in March, April, and October. It opens on Mondays that happen to be public holidays. The garden is a short ten minute walk down Lauterstraβe from the Gartenschau. Signs lead visitors to the entrance, which is just around the corner from Lauterstraβe at Am Abendsberg 1, 67657 Kaiserslautern. More information can be found at www.japanischergarten.de. Questions that cannot be answered by visiting the website can be directed to info@japanischergarten.de or 0631/37066-00.

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