Japanese Teahouse TourNEW

Take a peek inside the Japanese Garden's ceremonial teahouse and learn the traditions behind its use during informal tours at posted times on the second Monday of every month. No reservations required.

General admission.

Date
Sept. 9 (Monday)

Time
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

New Teahouse and Other Enhancements
The new ceremonial teahouse, named Seifu-an (Arbor of Pure Breeze), was donated to The Huntington by the Pasadena Buddhist Temple in 2010. Built in Kyoto in 1964, the teahouse was disassembled from the temple grounds, shipped to Kyoto, restored, and shipped back to San Marino in May 2011. Kyoto-based architect and craftsman Yoshiaki Nakamura (whose father built the original structure) oversaw the restoration. It then was painstakingly reassembled under the tutelage of Nakamura and other expert craftsmen who had traveled from Kyoto for the project.

When the Japanese Garden reopens, visitors will see the teahouse set in a new traditional tea garden, situated on a picturesque ridge with a view that extends northeastward, across the Japanese Garden's canyon, and toward the San Gabriel Mountains. The tea garden will feature a traditional entry gate, winding paths, a stream, and a ceremonial waiting bench.

Landscape architect Takeo Uesugi and his son, Keiji Uesugi, both affiliated with California State Poly­technic University, Pomona, oversaw design for the entire Japanese Garden project, including the creation of a new waterfall to the south of the Japanese House.