Volunteers Prepare for Huntington Japanese Garden Re-opening

Anticipation is building for the re-opening of the Huntington’s Japanese Garden on April 11, a year after it closed for renovations. The re-opening will also coincide with the garden’s centennial.

Among the excited many are volunteers, some of whom will lead tours as docents, who got a sneak peek of the garden last week, according to a Huntington Blogs piece.

Japanese-born Hiromi Sata is one such volunteer, who is particularly excited about the garden’s new ceremonial teahouse, Seifu-an, the Arbor of Pure Breeze), and the tea garden surrounding it, the Huntington shared.

A previous Patch piece highlighted more about the teahouse, which was donated by the Pasadena Buddhist Temple. Built in Kyoto, the teahouse was disassembled and shipped back to Japan, where architect and craftsman Yoshiaki Nakamura restored it. (In one of those intriguing twists of fate, it turns out that the house was originally built by Nakamura’s father—you can read the interesting story behind the teahouse restoration project here.

“’If you don’t know about the tea ceremony, you might have questions. How to use? What is the reason? Why?’ Sata looks forward to helping visitors discover the answers,” said the Huntington piece.

Adding to its versatility, the Japanese Garden has been spotlighted on the big screen in films like "Anger Management".

San Marino also weighed in on the Japanese Garden for the Huntington Blogs piece. Kneier described himself as an “interloper” in the class, attending to gain more knowledge but not lead a tour.

“The view one gets approaching the garden is breathtaking,” said Kneier in the Huntington piece.

“For me, just knowing that the Japanese Garden has been here for 100 years makes it all the more interesting and special.”

Those who want a sneak peek of the Huntington’s Japanese Garden before it opens to the public on April 11 but aren’t a volunteer or docent-in-training, can attend one of the two events this month reserved for Huntington members.

On March 27, contributor level members and above can enjoy a Japanese Garden Preview and Celebration with self-guided tours and festivities throughout the day.

On March 28 and 29, all members can experience the garden from 9 a.m. to noon.

Will you be visiting the renovated Japanese Garden?