MAY 2026 BOOK SELECTION Heaven by: Mieko Kawakami With profound tenderness and sensitivity, Japanese literary superstar Mieko Kawakami turns her unique gaze onto the causes and effects of violence. […]
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, May 17, 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 […]
Join us for a free docent-led tour on select Sundays, providing visitors with an in-depth exploration of its serene landscapes and cultural significance. During the tour, our knowledgeable docents […]
Japan’s Metalcraft Superstars: Ten Master Artists Presented by Japan Society of Northern California *Online Program Drawn from 2,300 years of Japan’s rich metalworking heritage, today’s leading metal artists are redefining […]
Seikichi Izumi X, the sole inheritor of the 370 years of Urushi Lacquer brushi making ONLINE PRESENTATION This online lecture centers on the craft of urushi brush making, presented by […]
Step into the rich cultural world of the kimono in this engaging and educational workshop exploring the history, symbolism, and artistry of Japan’s most iconic garment. The Art of the […]
JUNE 2026 BOOK SELECTION The Guest Cat by: Takashi Hiraide A bestseller in France and winner of Japan's Kiyama Shohei Literary Award, The Guest Cat, by the acclaimed poet Takashi Hiraide, is a subtly moving and exceptionally beautiful novel about the transient nature of life and idiosyncratic but deeply felt ways of living. A […]
Join us for a free docent-led tour on select Sundays, providing visitors with an in-depth exploration of its serene landscapes and cultural significance. During the tour, our knowledgeable docents guide guests through the garden’s features, including the Clark Bonsai Collection, stroll gardens, traditional architecture, and tea houses, offering insights into Japanese culture and garden […]
JULY 2026 BOOK SELECTION Kitchen by: Banana Yoshimoto With the publication of Kitchen, the dazzling English-language debut that is still her best-loved book, the literary world realized that Yoshimoto was a young writer of enduring talent whose work has quickly earned a place among the best of contemporary Japanese literature. Kitchen is an enchantingly […]
Join us for a free docent-led tour on select Sundays, providing visitors with an in-depth exploration of its serene landscapes and cultural significance. During the tour, our knowledgeable docents guide guests through the garden’s features, including the Clark Bonsai Collection, stroll gardens, traditional architecture, and tea houses, offering insights into Japanese culture and garden […]
Join Shinzen Garden and the Human Right Coalition of the Central Valley for the 81st Annual Hiroshima & Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Remembrance, a solemn evening of reflection, remembrance, and hope for a more peaceful world. Each year, communities around the globe gather to honor the victims and survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima […]
In the spirit of the Japanese ceremony Tōrō Nagashi, please join Shinzen Garden for our 41st annual floating lantern celebration on Saturday, August 15, 2026 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 2026 BOOK SELECTION Convenience Store Woman by: Sayaka Murata The English-language debut of one of Japan's most talented contemporary writers, selling over 650,000 copies there, Convenience Store Woman is the heartwarming and surprising story of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura. Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but […]
SEPTEMBER 2026 BOOK SELECTION A Pale View of Hills by: Kazuo Ishiguro From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and author of the Booker Prize–winning novel The Remains of the Day Here is the story of Etsuko, a Japanese woman now living alone in England, dwelling on the recent suicide of her […]
Unwind beneath the open sky with a deeply restorative Sound Bath set within the tranquil beauty of Shinzen Garden. Surrounded by nature, you’ll be guided through a meditative experience using soothing tones and gentle vibrations designed to calm the mind, relax the body, and restore balance. As the sounds wash over you, stress melts away […]
Intro to Birding Discover the Birds of Shinzen Garden Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Have you ever wondered about the birds you see and hear around you? Join us for Introduction to Birding, a beginner-friendly workshop that will open your eyes to the fascinating world of birds and the joy […]
Kintsugi: The Art of Golden Repair Pottery Workshop Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Discover the beauty of imperfection through Kintsugi, the centuries-old Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. Rather than hiding cracks and flaws, Kintsugi embraces them, transforming damaged objects into something even more beautiful by highlighting their history and […]
OCTOBER 2026 BOOK SELECTION Kokoro by: Natsume Soseki No collection of Japanese literature is complete without Natsume Soseki's Kokoro, his most famous novel and the last he completed before his death. Published here in the first new translation in more than fifty years, Kokoro—meaning "heart"—is the story of a subtle and poignant friendship between […]
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 […]
VIRTUAL LECTURE - How Dragons and Bells Make Rain in Japan For centuries, humans have sought supernatural assistance for relief from droughts and floods. In Japan, tenth-century records show that […]
The Art of the Kimono Exploring Japan's Most Iconic Garment Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Step into the rich world of Japanese culture and tradition […]