Background

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden: A Tranquil Pasadena Oasis

Experience tranquility at Pasadena's Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, a meticulously restored pre-World War II landscape designed by Kinzuchi Fujii.

4.5

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena offers a serene escape with its meticulously designed landscape. Created in the 1930s by Kinzuchi Fujii, this 1.45-acre garden features traditional Japanese elements like ponds, waterfalls, bridges, and a rebuilt teahouse, providing a tranquil experience for visitors seeking a slice of Japan in Southern California.

A brief summary to Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

  • Saturday 3 pm-7 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Reservations are essential for visiting the garden to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds and experience the garden's tranquility.
  • Check the garden's website for special events, such as jazz performances or tea ceremonies.
  • Consider visiting Arlington Park across the street for a combination of Japanese culture and California plants.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Los Angeles, take the Metro L Line (Gold) to the Allen Station. From there, it's approximately a 15-minute walk to the garden. Head south on N Allen Ave, then turn right onto E Glenarm St, followed by a right onto Pasadena Ave and finally a left onto Arlington Dr. The garden will be on your left. A single Metro fare is $1.75.

  • Ride-Sharing

    Ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft are readily available in Pasadena and can provide a convenient way to reach the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden. A ride from downtown Pasadena to the garden typically costs between $10 and $15, depending on traffic and demand.

  • Driving

    If driving, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is located at 270 Arlington Drive in Pasadena. Limited parking is available in the garden's two driveways. If the driveways are full, street parking is available on Arlington Drive and the surrounding residential streets. Be mindful of parking restrictions and signs. Valet service may be required for events.

Unlock the Best of Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Nestled in a residential neighborhood of Pasadena, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden provides a unique and tranquil experience, transporting visitors to a serene world inspired by Japanese aesthetics. This 1.45-acre garden, designed in the "chisen kaiyu shiki" or Hill and Pond Strolling Garden style, showcases the vision of Kinzuchi Fujii, a first-generation Japanese immigrant, who created it as a private garden for Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns between 1935 and 1940. The garden features gently winding paths, two ponds with cascading waterfalls, and a series of authentic Japanese bridges. Many of the garden's bronze, granite, and wood artifacts were brought from Japan, and the teahouse, named Niko-an which means Abode at Two Ponds, was constructed in Japan, disassembled, and shipped to Pasadena for reassembly. The teahouse serves as a focal point for the garden. The garden also exemplifies classic Japanese landscape techniques, including "shakei" (borrowed scenery) and "miegakure" (hide-and-reveal) principles. The garden faced challenges during World War II when Fujii was unjustly incarcerated. After years of neglect and a fire in 1981 that destroyed the original teahouse, the garden was lovingly restored in the mid-1990s, with meticulous attention to detail, using Fujii's original plans. Today, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of Japanese garden design and the resilience of the human spirit. Visitors can stroll through the garden, admire the koi fish and turtles in the ponds, and experience the tranquility of this unique cultural landmark. A Camellia japonica cultivar, descended from a tree that survived the bombing of Hiroshima, grows just outside the entrance, symbolizing peace and resilience.

Popular Experiences near Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Popular Hotels near Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Select Currency