The Fabyan Japanese Garden is a fenced-in outdoor garden inside the Fabyan West Forest Preserve on the west side of the Fox River. The garden encompasses approximately one acre and includes a variety of plant life and historic and Japanese cultural structures. The path in the garden varies between packed mulch and crushed gravel with several grade changes and a set of stairs. There are two steep bridges you may climb carefully if you wish. The walk from the edge of the north parking lot to the garden is approximately 1/4-mile along a flat, paved service road.

The self-guided tour typically takes 15-30 minutes.

Pets are not allowed in the garden.

Posed photography such as weddings, senior photos, quinceañeras, modeling, etc. are NOT ALLOWED in the Garden during our public open hours. See Weddings & Photography below for more details.

Want a preview of what you will see on your tour?
See the online Self-Guided Tour!

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at PPFV.org/faq-fabyan-japanese-garden.

For answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Fabyan Villa Museum, visit our FAQ page.

Fabyan Villa & Japanese Garden group tours are available Thursdays from May-September.

The cost of a group tour is $15/person with a minimum fee of $150 (one site) or $20/person with a minimum fee of $200 (both sites).

For group tour information, visit ppfv.org/fabyan-tour.

To request a group tour, complete and submit our Private Tour Request Form.

For more information please call (630) 377-6424 or email info@ppfv.org.

The Fabyan Japanese Garden is NOT accessible for walkers and wheelchairs.

Due to the walking path in the Garden of packed mulch, crushed gravel, and stairs, wheelchairs and walkers are not safe to use in the garden and are prohibited in the garden.

The walk from the parking lot to the garden is approximately 1/4-mile.

Click here for assistance and more information on accessibility while visiting the Forest Preserve District of Kane County (FPDKC) sites. For more information contact the FPDKC ADA Coordinator at Voice: (630) 444-3095 or (630) 232-5980; TTY Relay: (800) 526-0844 or email ada@kaneforest.com.

Special events such as weddings, quinceañeras, and photography shoots are available through reservation only and can be reserved through the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

No weddings, photoshoots, or events are allowed during our public open hours.

For information and reservations please call the District’s reservation line at (630) 232-1242, or email your request to kcfpres@kaneforest.com.

Installed c. 1910, the Fabyan Japanese Garden is a tranquil oasis where history melds with nature and design. George and Nelle Fabyan developed an intense appreciation for Japanese culture after visiting Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition, which featured a Japanese Pavilion. After moving from Chicago to their “villa” outside of Geneva, they commissioned renowned landscape designer Taro Otsuka to design a Japanese-style garden on their property. The nearby river and surrounding woods provided a perfect canvas for a Japanese-style garden, which relies on borrowed scenery for its naturalized vistas.

After the Fabyans’ deaths, the garden was not maintained. In 1974 the Geneva Garden Club was inspired to undertake the restoration of the Japanese Garden, which was now part of the Fayban West Forest Preserve. It has undergone two extensive renovations since then. This historic garden affords the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of Japanese gardening and enjoy a moment of harmony with nature while strolling the winding path of this 100+ year-old site.

The Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden are featured in the book Off The Beaten Path, Illinois, and in WTTW’s Fox River Valley and Chain o’Lakes with Geoffrey Baer.

Greet guests in the most tranquil place in the Fox Valley! We appreciate a commitment of at least one three-hour open day a month during our season, May to October. For more information, visit our Volunteer Page.