The garden was originally built for the private use of Carl Duisberg and his family.
Many of the garden's architectural elements, including the stone lanterns and wooden bridges, were imported directly from Japan.
The koi population is a central feature of the park's water management system.
The garden is situated on land formerly belonging to the Bayer plant, reflecting the historical proximity between the company and private life in Leverkusen.
The design incorporates specific viewpoints meant to mimic the composition of classical Japanese landscape paintings.
The Japanese Garden in Leverkusen is a 15,000-square-meter park founded in 1913 by Carl Duisberg, a former board member of Bayer. It is located directly within the Bayer chemical industrial complex but functions as an independent green oasis. The park features traditional Japanese design elements including koi ponds, stone lanterns, tea houses, and meticulously pruned maple and pine trees. It was inspired by Duisberg's travels to Japan and served as his private retreat before being opened to the public. The garden undergoes seasonal transformations, highlighting cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. It is maintained by Bayer as part of their corporate commitment to local infrastructure. The grounds are designed according to principles of traditional Japanese garden architecture, focusing on harmony and balanced vistas.
The red bridge overlooking the main koi pond provides the most iconic frame.
Bring a camera with a macro lens to capture the detailed wood carvings and floral textures.
Visit on a weekday morning to experience the garden when it is at its quietest.
Follow the designated paths strictly to help preserve the fragile moss and ground cover.
Avoid visiting during extreme heatwaves, as the garden offers limited shelter from direct midday sun.
The garden is typically closed to visitors during the winter months for maintenance.
Stay on marked paths; no loud music or recreational sports; do not feed the fish.
