A Botanical Fantasy in Van Nuys : The Japanese Garden was designed to show the feasibility of using reclaimed water in a delicate environment.

In a city where public attractions measure monthly attendance totals in five and six digits, it is a stark contrast to find one that in brisk times will peak at about 400.

“People still comment, ‘I didn’t know it was there,’ ” garden coordinator Yvonne Reyes says.

It is the Japanese Garden, a 6 1/2-acre botanical fantasy land on the grounds of the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys.

Owned and operated by the city of Los Angeles, the project was conceived by Donald C. Tillman to demonstrate the feasibility of using reclaimed water in a delicate environment: a Japanese garden.

Since 1984, the garden has not only thrived but has played host to wedding parties, receptions, cocktail and luncheon parties, meetings, birthdays and anniversaries. It has been used in a number of television series and commercials, 10 motion pictures and a variety of still photography shoots. “Entertainment Tonight” has been here; so have “Matlock” and “Star Trek--The Next Generation.”

The public is invited to view the Japanese Garden by reservation only, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. All tours are docent-led. Depending on the number of docents available, two tours, one starting at each end of the garden, may be conducted at the same time. Tour times are 9, 9:45 and 10:30 a.m.

9 a.m.: The Japanese Garden was designed by architect, artist and designer Koichi Kawana and officially opened in 1984. A native of Japan, Kawana designed more than a dozen such gardens in the United States, including ones in San Diego, Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis and St. Louis.

Visitors entering the Van Nuys garden learn that they are touring three distinct gardens.

The first is a dry, or karesansui , Zen meditation garden. Stones are set in the sanson arrangement, representing Buddha. The gravel is said to symbolize the ocean, and the patterns created on it express waves and the state of the sea. Tortoise Island, a large, grass-covered mound, is a symbol of longevity. There is also a wisteria arbor.

What visitors may not realize while passing through this tranquil area is that they are actually standing on top of one of the underground concrete sewage diversion buildings used at Tillman.

9:15 a.m.: Visitors are then led to an expansive chisen or “wet-strolling” garden complete with miniature lakes, streams and waterfalls.

9:30 a.m.: Upon entering the third garden, one finds the Shoin Building, a replica of a residential dwelling for aristocrats, upper-class monks and samurai during the 14th and 15th centuries in Japan.

Although the exterior is authentic, the interior is designed for 20th-Century comfort. On special occasions, the shoin can be rented by private groups, which may provide their own Japanese tea ceremony.

Starting in June, the Japanese Garden will offer sunset tours Mondays through Fridays. Like the other tours, these are by reservation only. Management frowns on high heels, since much of the tour is on soil paths and requires walking on uneven surfaces, including cobblestones and a log bridge. Walking shoes are recommended, as is protection from the sun. Children younger than 12 are not allowed except in the case of prearranged group tours, such as school classes with supervision.

There is a fee schedule for events, such as weddings, receptions, lunches (you or your caterer supply the food) and meetings. The garden is closed to others when groups have reserved it and, as with tours, there are age restrictions for children.

Cameras are permitted. There are no tours of the water reclamation plant. For information or reservations, call (818) 989-8166.

Getting there: The Japanese Garden is at the City of Los Angeles Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, 6100 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys. The plant is just south of Victory Boulevard, on the east side of Woodley.