Japanese-style Garden Month

Hillwood’s Japanese-style garden, a tranquil landscape shaped by Shogo Myaida, takes center stage this July as the museum devotes a month to its quiet artistry. Visitors can wander winding paths on specialty tours that reveal the garden’s subtle blend of Japanese and American traditions, from stone lanterns to native plantings. Floral workshops invite hands-on exploration of ikebana, while performances on select days bring a festive energy to the serene setting. The museum shop and Merriweather Café join in with themed merchandise and Japanese-inspired treats, rounding out the experience with thoughtful nods to the garden’s influence. Rather than a single spectacle, the event unfolds as a series of moments—each one offering a different perspective on the garden’s layered design and the cultural exchange it represents.