Japanese Gardens - Tranquility in Suburbia

Just across the road from Arlington Garden, you have yet another hidden jewel within the City of Pasadena. Storrier Stearns Japanese Gardens – tranquillity in suburbia!

Dirt pathway with small pitched roof amongst the lush landscape and statuary designated the entrance to the Japanese Gardens — The main entrance

As we enter, peace and serenity wash over and cloak us in a veil of contentment. Sporadic sunlight and shade dot the pathways in a cordial slow dance with the constant movement of time.

Woman standing on pathway lined with colourful flowers in a light summer dress and sunglasses smiling at the camera at the Japanese Gardens

The first stop in these Japanese Gardens is Kosher Ake-Machiai, the “waiting bench’. Here is where one sits, allowing you to absorb the beauty surrounding you and leaving the worries of the outside world behind.

In Japanese tradition, guests remain at the waiting bench until welcomed into the teahouse.

Koshikake-Machiai is Japanese for "the waiting bench". In traditional Japanese Gardens visitors sit in the shade on the wooden bench before being invited to the teahouse — Sitting at the waiting bench

After sitting here, contemplating and letting the environment welcome us, we continued our journey over the wooden bridge towards the waterfall.

Small wooden bridge crossing a gently flowing stream surrounded by lush plants and trees at the Japanese Gardens

I always find it so calming being surrounded by Nature, especially when you hear the sound of water gently flowing over rocks.

Japanese gardens one of many water feature and statues in and amongst the carefully placed boulders and plants — The sound of water is always so relaxing

We took our time meandering along the path, taking in the beauty of the plants and listening to the bird song. Buddhas are strategically placed within the fauna, and there are seating areas for one to stop and rest. Along the way, the Hiroshima Camellia add shade to the heat of the day.

Woman in light summer dress smelling the flowers next to a birdhouse hanging from a branch of a tree on the hillside at Japanese Gardens

A Buddha statue sits onto of a large flat bolder surrounded by more rocks placed in a circular pattern along the path in Japanese Gardens

Man sitting on small wooden bench behind a tree staring out over the Japanese Gardens

These magnificent trees were once saplings from those that survived the bombing of Hiroshima. They are a message of peace to 27 countries around the world.

Zig-Zag Bridge

Passing the waterfalls, we reach the Zig-Zag Bridge.

Cement bridge crossing next to Koi pond at the Japanese Gardens surrounded by lots of trees and a building can just be seen in the background — Zig Zag Bridge with the 90-degree turns

The design of the bridge is to slow the walker down, so they become one with the present moment. The pattern has a second purpose, to keep evil spirits away as they are unable to make the 90-degree turns.

Woman in light summer dress bending down looking over the edge of the small bridge into the Koi pond — Zig-Zag Bridge

Huge Koi swim in the ponds and make a beeline for us, coming to the surface with their mouths open, hoping for food.

Two bright Koi fish are near the surface of the water one of them has their mouth open and looking right at the camera

A turtle swims along with them, before darting away to find refuge under the waterlilies which are now in full bloom.

Koi fish and turtle in the pond at the Japanese Gardens waiting to be fed

The Teahouse

Finally, we arrive at the centre-piece of the garden, the teahouse, Niko-an, meaning Abode at Two Ponds. It is an authentic twelve tatami mat teahouse.

Traditional Japanese Tea house is nestled in the background almost hidden by the lush trees vines and lilies pads floating on the pond directly in front of it

The teahouse served as a meeting place for Japanese cultural activities. It was rebuilt to the original architectural plans and historic photographs after a fire destroyed it in 1981.

Alternate view of the Tea house at the Japanese Gardens framed by the trees in the background

We ventured in, making sure we left our bag outside and taking off our shoes in true Japanese tradition.

The teahouse is bright and airy with no walls on three sides, just screens, allowing the gentle summer breeze to drift through, encouraging you to take in the full view of the gardens.

The teahouse is a bright and airy wooden structure with screens on three sides and a solid wall on the other. Twelve tatami mats lay on the floor — In the teahouse

The Garden Gift Shop

Let’s face it, no place would be the same without a gift shop, and these Japanese Gardens are no different.

Inside the small gift shop has traditional Japanese wares and trinkets displayed in a very organised and neat manner

However, you won’t find tacky mugs, stickers and t-shirts here. Just beautiful Japanese style items. Some authentic, some reproduction.

A chest of drawers with lamp and plant on the top with a small painting resting at the base and a large painting hanging on the wall behind

Origami Room

When people think of Japanese, origami often springs to mind. Here there is a whole room dedicated to it.

Traditional Japanese style doors with fabric inlaid with intricate designs — Origami room main entrance

Many are in picture form; others are traditional small animals and alike. It is a beautiful art form that takes much practice and dedication to achieve results that look so flawless.

Seven origami butterflies are attached to a painted canvas which hangs on the wall — Origami picture

The History Of Stearns Japanese Gardens

Charles Storrier Stearns met Ellamae Sheppard during one of his many travels in 1930. A year later, they were married. He was 61, and Ellamae was two years his junior.

It was their many trips to Japan which inspired the creation of the Japanese-style garden. Ellamae, in-particular was fascinated by them, so it was decided that one would be implemented within the grounds of their mansion in Pasadena.

Old black and white photo of a man and woman dressed very proper and wearing hats standing next to the dirt pathway — Charles and Eliamae Storrier Stearns. Photo is courtesy of the Gardens Archives

Charles and Eliamae Storrier Stearns hired Kinzuchi Fujii, a first-generation immigrant and Japanese landscape designer, back in 1935. It took Fujii over three years to complete the design of the gardens, and a further four years to build this beautiful oasis on the 1.45-acre plot. The total cost was $150,000.

Old black and white photo of two men one is standing next to a statue while the other is crouched down behind it peeking around which they are working on — Kinzuchi Fujii
Photo courtesy From the Garden’s Archives

One Lucky Bid

In 1944 Charles died, Ellamae five years later. There were no know heirs to their fortune, so in 1949 their vast estate went up for auction.

Black and White photo fo beautiful old victorian style two story house with ivy climbing up one side and tall trees around the front entrance — The original mansion of Charles and *Ellamae* Storrier Stearns. Now, sadly demolished.
Photo courtesy From the Garden’s Archives

Art and antique dealer Gamelia Haddad Poulsen attended the sale in the hope of buying two Louis XV chairs. On an impulse, she put in a bid for the whole estate and ended up the owner.

Over the following years, Gamelia sold most of the estate to the City of Pasadena after they denied her request to move her art gallery into the mansion. She did, however, keep the Japanese Gardens and a lot to build a house for herself and family.

Two men standing in the back garden of the victorian house surrounded by the lush gardens — The back of the original mansion

Part of the lot was seized in 1975 by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to extend the 710 freeway and more land to create access for trucks for future construction.

Gamelia Haddad Poulsen
Photo courtesy From the Garden’s Archives

Then in 1981, a fire destroyed the teahouse, and gradually the gardens were neglected.

After Gamelia died in 1985, possession of the land went to her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Connie Haddad. In 1990 the couple decided to restore the gardens to their former glory, and in 2005 Storrier Stearns Japanese Gardens was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Japanese Gardens – Lasting Impression

You can spend as long as you like here in the gardens. You can sit and meditate in the various seating areas, maybe read, or sit and be at one with Nature. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be grateful that you stopped by and will leave invigorated and pleasantly calm. I know we did.

Sign hanging from the porch of the gardens stating the paradox of our time as a quote from the14th Dalai Lama — The Paradox of Age

japanese gardens – In A Nutshell

Address: 70 Arlington Drive, Pasadena
Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 2nd and last Sundays of the month
Closed Thanksgiving
$7.50 online. $10 at the gate
Children under 12 are free
Free parking on–site or on road

Official website click HERE

Location Map

Aerial view map of the location of the Japanese Gardens — Location Map – Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Arlington Garden is just across the road from Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden and is free to enter.

ARLINGTON GARDEN

For more beautiful gardens, historic houses and other places of interest in and around Pasadena, click the link below.

MUST-SEE PLACES IN PASADENA