Bring color, movement, and a touch of elegance to your painting practice in this botanical watercolor class inspired by the peacocks of Shinzen Garden on June 20, 2026. Guided by an instructor, participants will learn watercolor techniques while capturing the iridescent feathers, graceful forms, and natural surroundings of these iconic birds. Designed for all skill […]
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 […]
Join us Saturday, July 18, 2026 for a rewarding Volunteer Day at Shinzen Garden! This hands-on event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, meet like-minded community members, and contribute to the care and maintenance of this beautiful space. Volunteers assist with tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, and other seasonal projects that help […]
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 […]
Join us Saturday, September 19, 2026 for a rewarding Volunteer Day at Shinzen Garden! This hands-on event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, meet like-minded community members, and contribute to the care and maintenance of this beautiful space. Volunteers assist with tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, and other seasonal projects that help […]
Seasons of the Page: Non-Fiction Writing Every story has a season. In this engaging writing workshop at Shinzen Garden, participants will explore the art of non-fiction writing—learning how to transform personal experiences, observations, and real-life moments into compelling narratives. Inspired by the changing seasons and quiet beauty of the garden, this workshop will guide writers […]
Step into the garden and discover the calming art of Kokedama, the Japanese technique of creating living “moss balls” that blend nature and design. In this hands-on workshop at Shinzen Garden, you’ll learn how to shape, plant, and wrap your own kokedama while enjoying the serene beauty of the garden around you. Guided by an […]
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 […]
Let your brush flow like water in this botanical watercolor class inspired by the koi of Shinzen Garden on September 26, 2026. Participants will learn watercolor techniques while capturing the graceful movement, vibrant colors, and symbolic beauty of koi swimming among lotus and reflections. This class is welcoming to all skill levels and offers 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 […]
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 […]
The Way of Matcha: The Art & Culture of Japanese Matcha Discover the beauty, tradition, and cultural significance of matcha in this immersive workshop at Shinzen Garden. Rooted in centuries of Japanese tea culture, matcha represents more than just a beverage—it is a symbol of mindfulness, harmony, respect, and tranquility. In this hands-on experience, participants […]
Moments Between Leaves: Writing Small, Powerful Pieces Sometimes the most meaningful writing comes in small moments. In this reflective workshop at Shinzen Garden, participants will explore how brief pieces of […]
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 […]
Join us Saturday, October 17, 2026 for a rewarding Volunteer Day at Shinzen Garden! This hands-on event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, meet like-minded community members, and contribute to the care and maintenance of this beautiful space. Volunteers assist with tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, and other seasonal projects that help […]
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 […]
Perspectives: Seeing the Garden Through a New Lens Photography Workshop Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Every photograph tells a story, and the way we choose to frame a scene can transform an ordinary image into something extraordinary. Join us for Perspectives, a photography workshop designed to help photographers of all […]
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, mindfulness, and tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony at Shinzen Friendship Garden. Guests are invited to observe a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and learn about the customs, movements, and meaning behind this centuries-old practice. During the demonstration, you’ll discover how each thoughtful gesture—from the preparation of the tea to the placement of […]
An Intimate Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience Limited to 8 Guests Experience the Japanese tea ceremony in a uniquely personal and immersive setting at Shinzen Friendship Garden. Unlike our traditional tea ceremony demonstrations, where guests observe the ceremony, this exclusive experience invites you to participate fully in the ritual and traditions of Japanese tea. With only […]