Seasons of Stories is a new book club at Shinzen Garden that invites readers to gather in the natural setting of the garden to explore literature inspired by Japanese culture and explore books from Japanese American authors. We will be diving into a thoughtfully selected book each month and enjoy meaningful conversations surrounded by […]
Seasons of Verse is a curated poetry reading series held inside the peaceful landscape of Shinzen Garden, featuring four unique events that align with the rhythm of the seasons. The series will showcase the vibrant voices of Fresno-area poets and offer one open mic event to welcome emerging and community writers. Included with paid Garden […]
Experience the beauty of art and nature intertwined at Art in the Garden, a unique strolling art show set in the serene surroundings of Shinzen Garden. Local artists will showcase their work throughout the garden, creating a peaceful and inspiring outdoor gallery for the community to explore. As you stroll through the pathways, enjoy a […]
Creative Writing Workshop Whispers of the Bamboo: Reflective Writing Workshop This creative writing workshop will focus on journaling, memoir writing and mindfulness-based storytelling. Participants will engage in guided reflections and writing exercises to deepen their connection with nature and their personal experiences. $25 for members | $45 for non-members Suitable for ages 12+
JULY BOOK SELECTION Facing the Mountain: An inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II By Daniel James Brown In the days and months after Pearl Harbor, the lives of Japanese Americans across the continent and Hawaii were changed forever. In this unforgettable chronicle of war-time America and the battlefields of Europe, Daniel […]
Join us at Shinzen Garden for the 80th Commemoration Ceremony of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings—a solemn tribute to peace, remembrance, and resilience. Through reflection, music, and community, we honor the lives lost and renew our commitment to a more compassionate world. All are welcome to share in this moment of unity and hope.
In the spirit of the Japanese ceremony Tōrō Nagashi, please join Shinzen Garden for our 40th annual floating lantern celebration on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Traditionally, this Japanese ceremony honors the memory of loved ones. During the festival of Obon, it is believed that ancestors come back to spend time with the living. On the […]
AUGUST 2025 BOOK SELECTION Before the Coffee Gets Cold by: Tashikazu Kawaguchi In a small back alley of Tokyo, there is a café that has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers something else besides coffee--the chance to travel back in time. Over the […]
SEPTEMBER 2025 BOOK SELECTION The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by: Keigo Higashino From exactly midnight until daybreak, the Namiya General Store advice box will be reopening for one night only. When three delinquents hole up in an abandoned general store after their most recent robbery, to their great surprise, a letter drops through […]
Fresno Koi Show hosted by the Central California Koi Society September 27 & 28, 2025 inside the Woodward Park Group Activities Area The Fresno Koi Show is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the Nation. Local and out-of-area hobbyists and enthusiasts exhibit their prized koi fish and share their passion and knowledge […]
Dive into the graceful beauty of koi fish with Flowering Fins: Painting Koi in Watercolor, an inspiring watercolor workshop as we explore the graceful beauty of koi fish! In this two-hour class, you’ll explore the fluid nature of watercolor as you bring these graceful fish to life. Led by talented local artist Noelle Correia, this […]
Discover the art of capturing breathtaking garden landscapes in our Garden Views: Landscape Photography workshop. Perfect for beginners to seasoned pros, this hands-on class at Shinzen Garden will focus on capturing the expansive beauty of garden landscapes, pathways, bridges, and architectural elements. Led by the pros at Horn Photo, you'll learn wide-angle composition, how to […]
OCTOBER 2025 BOOK SELECTION Epitaph for a Peach by: David Mas Masumoto A lyrical, sensuous and thoroughly engrossing memoir of one critical year in the life of an organic peach farmer, Epitaph for a Peach is "a delightful narrative...with poetic flair and a sense of humor" (Library Journal). David Mas Masumoto is a third-generation farmer, […]
RESCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 15, 2025 Seasons of Verse is a curated poetry reading series held inside the peaceful landscape of Shinzen Garden, featuring four unique events that align with the rhythm of the seasons. The series will showcase the vibrant voices of Fresno-area poets and offer one open mic event to welcome emerging and community writers. […]
Let’s Create with Canon! We’re so excited — Canon is bringing 80 camera and lens combos for people to use during the workshop! It’s the perfect chance to explore new gear, learn, and have fun shooting together. New to photography and content creation? Join Canon Creator Nathan Lee Allen as he shares his journey of content […]
Let’s Create with Canon! FREE EVENT WITH PAID GARDEN ADMISSION We’re so excited — Canon is bringing 80 camera and lens combos for people to use during the workshop! It’s the perfect chance to explore new gear, learn, and have fun shooting together. New to photography and content creation? Join Canon Creator Nathan Lee Allen as […]
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON Seasons of Verse is a curated poetry reading series held inside the peaceful landscape of Shinzen Garden, featuring four unique events that align with the rhythm of the seasons. The series will showcase the vibrant voices of Fresno-area poets and offer one […]
We invite you to experience the breathtaking beauty of Shinzen Garden’s fall colors. Enjoy a peaceful stroll among the Japanese maples with a warm cup of tea and a traditional Japanese rice cracker during our Autumn Color viewing. Sunday, November 23, 2025 10:00 am - Noon This event is included with paid garden admission. Garden […]
Where Culture Meet in Nature: The Story of Japanese Gardens in the West REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE Why have Japanese gardens captured the imagination of Western audiences for centuries? Why is our present moment a pivotal juncture in the story of the growth and evolution of Japanese gardens? Join Professor Kendall Brown (California State […]
JANUARY 2026 BOOK SELECTION The Traveling Cat Chronicles by: Hiro Arikawa We take journeys to explore exotic new places and to return to the comforts of home, to visit old acquaintances and to make new friends. But the most important journey is the one that shows us how to follow our hearts… An instant international […]
Ume Bloom Viewing Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 10am - 1pm Enjoy a cup of hot tea and a Japanese rice cracker while you view the beauty of the Ume blooms. Included with paid garden admission - $5 for adults and $1 for children
VIRTUAL EVENT Japan is a country of museums. There are more than 1,200 art museums yet this fact is often little known outside its borders. They are sprinkled throughout Japan and their range is striking. Museums are a fascinating gateway into Japanese culture, whether traditional or contemporary, but foreign visitors are often bewildered by their […]
FEBRUARY 2026 BOOK SELECTION The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea by: Hiro Arikawa Thirteen-year-old Noboru is a member of a gang of highly philosophical teenage boys who reject the tenets of the adult world — to them, adult life is illusory, hypocritical, and sentimental. When Noboru’s widowed mother is romanced by Ryuji, […]
Experience a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at Shinzen Garden Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Shinzen Garden as we present a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 11:00 am. This unique cultural experience offers guests an opportunity to witness the graceful art of tea preparation and savor matcha in a serene […]
Experience a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at Shinzen Garden Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Shinzen Garden as we present a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 1:30 pm. This unique cultural experience offers guests an opportunity to witness the graceful art of tea preparation and savor matcha in a serene […]