The garden's design was inspired by 13th-century Japanese landscape aesthetics.
Hoichi Kurisu, the master designer, was previously the superintendent of the Japanese garden at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Philadelphia.
The koi pond contains thousands of gallons of water and is home to a large collection of Nishikigoi.
The garden employs a 'borrowed scenery' technique, incorporating views of surrounding non-garden trees into the composition.
Every stone and shrub is pruned and placed according to specific placement philosophies meant to evoke a sense of 'wabi-sabi'.
The onsite Guest House is constructed with traditional Japanese joinery, avoiding the use of nails where possible.
The garden hosts an annual festival celebrating Japanese culture, including tea ceremonies and demonstrations.
Maintenance requires specialized pruning techniques performed by staff trained in Japanese gardening arts.
Anderson Japanese Gardens is a 12-acre authentic Japanese-style landscape designed by Hoichi Kurisu. The site features five distinct garden zones, including the Sukiya-style Guest House and various water features designed to flow in a specific spiritual direction. The garden utilizes traditional Japanese techniques, such as pond-and-island landscaping and careful placement of over 200 tons of granite boulders. A seasonal onsite cafe, Fresco at the Gardens, overlooks the pond and serves light meals. The grounds incorporate authentic structures, including a gazebo and a traditional pagoda, designed to emphasize harmony between built elements and natural terrain. The landscape is designed to facilitate 'strolling' (kaiyu-shiki), where the perspective changes at each turn of the path. It is currently recognized as one of the premier Japanese gardens in North America.
The view from the main Gazebo looking across the lower pond toward the arched bridge.
Walk the paths slowly to appreciate how the viewpoints change as you move around the ponds.
Visit the visitor center first to pick up a map, as the winding path system can be disorienting.
Check the garden's event calendar, as private weddings occasionally restrict access to certain sections.
Attempting to visit during private event closures or during winter when the site is closed to the public.
Closed annually during the winter season; open spring through late autumn.
Stay on marked paths to protect the delicate moss and plantings; refrain from feeding the fish.
