A Japanese garden is a special place, where harmony and tranquility invite contemplation.
In this garden, with a surface area of 2.5 hectares, stone, water and plants combine to create an idealized version of nature.
Our Japanese Garden groups three types of distinct gardens: a Stroll Garden, a Dry Garden and a Tea Garden.
The Garden's landscape architect
Ken Nakajima (1914-2000), an internationally renowned Japanese landscape architect, succeeded in lending his achievement the character of a contemporary garden by adding a considerable number of flowering plants to the sober and traditional lines.
For Nakajima, the essential thing in creating a garden was to take into account the natural beauty of the site where the garden was to take shape.
Since its inauguration in 1988, the Japanese Garden has been a source of pride for the Jardin botanique.
A visit for reflection
A stroll in the Japanese Garden awakens all the senses. By turns, one can admire the beauty of the layout of stones, of meticulously shaped shrubs and trees, of flowerings in tune with the seasons. Water is omnipresent in the garden, sometimes flowing in streams, sometimes rushing down cascades to end its course in the pond.
Visiting the garden early in the day may entail an encounter with winged creatures at their morning toilette, the frolicking of a great blue heron, ducks or a kingfisher.
Each season, each period of the day brings with it moments of intensity and beauty for those able to seize them.
A pavilion for the Japanese Garden
A visit to the Japanese Garden may be brightened even more by a stop at its cultural pavilion. Japanese culture is showcased here through exhibits and various activities.
The Pavilion contains a traditional tearoom and offers a view of the Dry Garden, as well as access to the Bonsai Courtyard.
The Japanese Garden Foundation
As a privileged partner of the Japanese Garden, the Japanese Garden and Pavilion Foundation of Montreal supports its activities. Created in 1989, the goals of this non-profit Foundation are to:
- Promote a better knowledge of Japanese culture.
- Foster, develop and maintain cultural and social exchanges with Japan.
- Create and coordinate cultural and social activities at the Japanese Garden and Pavilion of the Jardin botanique de Montréal with funds raised through donations, grants and sponsorships.
- Ensure the continuation of high quality cultural events through maintaining ties with Japanese stakeholders.
- Welcome official Japanese delegates to Montréal.
For more information, visit the Foundation of the Japanese Garden and Pavilion of Montreal website.
