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Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden: A Pasadena Oasis

Experience tranquility in Pasadena at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, a historic oasis of Japanese design and serene beauty.

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The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena is a 1.45-acre oasis showcasing pre-World War II Japanese garden design. Created in the late 1930s by Kinzuchi Fujii, it features serene ponds, cascading waterfalls, meticulously crafted bridges, and a traditional teahouse, offering a tranquil escape.

A brief summary to Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

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

Local tips

  • Check the garden's website for the most up-to-date information on hours, admission fees, and special events.
  • Consider purchasing tickets online in advance to guarantee admission and potentially save money.
  • Be mindful of the residential neighborhood and park considerately on the street.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking along the garden's winding paths.
  • Take your time to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and the carefully designed landscape.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From the Fillmore Station on the Metro Gold Line, walk 0.75 miles. Exit the station and turn right, walk to Raymond Avenue, cross the street and continue to Fair Oaks Avenue. Turn left, walk south to Glenarm Street, then turn right to Pasadena Avenue. Cross Pasadena Avenue, turn right, then left onto Arlington Drive. The garden is on the left. A single Metro fare is $1.75.

  • Walking

    If you are near South Orange Grove Boulevard or South Pasadena Avenue, walk towards Arlington Drive. The garden is located at 270 Arlington Drive, between these two boulevards. Look for the entrance on the left side of the street.

  • Driving

    The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is located at 270 Arlington Drive in Pasadena. From Orange Grove Avenue, turn onto Arlington Drive. From Pasadena Avenue, turn onto Arlington Drive. Limited parking is available in the garden's driveways. If full, park on the street, being mindful of the neighbors. Street parking is free.

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Discover more about Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Nestled in a residential area of Pasadena, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden offers a serene escape into a meticulously designed landscape. This 1.45-acre garden, created between 1935 and 1940, is the vision of Kinzuchi Fujii, a Japanese immigrant who brought his artistry to Southern California. Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns, patrons of the arts, commissioned Fujii to design a traditional "chisen kaiyu shiki" or Hill and Pond Strolling Garden on their estate. The garden features gently winding paths, two ponds with cascading waterfalls, and several authentic Japanese bridges. Many of the garden's elements, including granite, bronze, and wood artifacts, were imported from Japan. The teahouse, known as Niko-an (Abode at Two Ponds), was constructed in Japan, disassembled, and rebuilt on-site. Fujii carefully integrated local California vegetation with imported Japanese design elements, using boulders from the Santa Susana Mountains to create waterfalls and stepping stones. The garden's history is marked by both beauty and hardship. During World War II, Fujii was unjustly incarcerated in an internment camp. Despite this, he safeguarded the garden's original plans, carrying them with him. After a period of decline, the garden was restored in the mid-1990s by Takeo Uesugi, who used Fujii's original plans to guide the reconstruction. Today, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden stands as a testament to Fujii's vision and a place of cultural significance. A camellia tree, descended from one that survived the bombing of Hiroshima, grows near the entrance, symbolizing resilience and peace.

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