“If you look
the right way,
you can see that
the whole world
is a garden.” 
Frances Hodgson

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but even though I’ve known of the existence of Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga, California for more than forty years, I had never visited the site until this week. Hakone is considered by some to be the best and most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. The 18-acre treasure, which expresses the Japanese ideal of the garden as a space in which art and nature merge, offers visitors an unparalleled experience of peace, tranquility, and elegance.

Hakone Gardens is located a mere six miles from my home. One might think that, considering the fourteen trips I’ve made to Japan in the past thirty years, I would have ventured up Saratoga Avenue for a visit to the gardens sooner. I honestly cannot explain why I never did. A visit to Hakone has been on my bucket list for many years. My experience there this past Tuesday was just the first of what I am confident will be many visits in the months and years to come.

According to promotional materials available in the Hakone gift shop, San Francisco Philanthropists Oliver and Isabel Stine attended the Panama-Pacific Exposition which was held in The City in 1915. Isabel was so inspired by her visit to the Japan Pavilion that she decided to build her own private Japanese estate and garden. In May 1915, the Steins purchased the parcel of land on the outskirts of the quiet town of Saratoga. It was there that they constructed their dream project.

In 2000, with the financial backing of David and Lucile Packard, the Hakone Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, was established. In April 2013, Hakone buildings and gardens were designated a historic landmark. The estate is open to the public to provide an authentic experience of Japan and Japanese culture.

When I visited Hakone on Tuesday, I was warmly greeted by Noriko Ashihara, who was working in the gift shop. I then had the opportunity to visit with Meredith Lee, the Executive Director, and Ian Hamilton, the Cultural Events Coordinator, both of whom Kathy and I had met at the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival last Saturday. Meredith led me through the Mon Main Gate and showed me around the lower level of the gardens, including the Cultural Exchange Center. I then wandered off on my own to explore some of the higher elevations.

I walked up the path past the waterfalls to the Moon Viewing House, then continued up the hill to the Upper Wisteria Pavilion. The views were stunning, and benches along the way provided opportunities for me to sit, pause, breathe, and engage in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoko (forest-bathing.) 

My time at the garden was limited on Tuesday, but now I am highly motivated to return to Hakone to allow more time to enjoy the serenity of the gardens and to immerse myself in the beauty of nature.

Hakone Estate and Gardens is located at 21000 Big Basin Way in Saratoga. The facility opens at 10:00 a.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. on weekends. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children ages 5-17, and free for children 4 and younger. Affordable annual memberships provide complimentary admission to the gardens for one full year, invitations to special events, a discount at the gift shop, early registration for special events, and a quarterly newsletter.

The words of author Hanna Rion ring true for me. She wrote, “The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses.”