Cranbrook Japanese Garden
The Cranbrook Japanese Garden is among the oldest Japanese-style gardens in North America. Created in 1915 as a part of the country estate of Cranbrook’s founders George and Ellen Booth, this one-acre, pond-style strolling garden, is located at the eastern edge of Kingswood Lake, midway between Cranbrook House and Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School.
The garden, which is centered on the Lily Pond and its two small islands, features an iconic vermillion Japanese-style bridge, the original 1915 Japanese Kasuga Lantern, and the recently rehabilitated Lily Pond Cascade with its new Mountain Lantern. Each year, it hosts an array of programs, from tours to the annual Bon Festival, and welcomes visitors strolling Cranbrook's trails and grounds.
Ways to Support
Although the Cranbrook Japanese Garden is a place of beauty and inspiration, attracting thousands of visitors each year, it needs regular maintenance and further rehabilitation. The efforts to care for and restore the garden are being led by Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Learn more about ways to support the garden below.
Your support helps care for the Cranbrook Japanese Garden and create opportunities for nature-focused inspiration and cultural programming. By making a gift, you are providing funding for garden maintenance, educational experiences, and current projects. Make your gift today.
The Ginkgo Society recognizes those donors who make an annual contribution to the Cranbrook Japanese Garden of $500 or more. These gifts not only support current projects and initiatives but help with the long-term preservation of the garden.
Phase Two of the Cranbrook Japanese Garden Master Plan will commence in the spring of 2025, creating a new Entrance Garden. Highlights of the project include an azumaya pavilion and place to gather, new pathways and seating, and expanded accessibilty.
THANK YOU
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our donors. Click here to visit our Japanese Garden Donor Wall.
PHOTO CREDITS
Japanese Garden Bridge. Photograhy by Colton Graub. Courtesy of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.
Rehabilitated Lily Pond Cascade, June 2019. Courtesy of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.
Japanese Bon Festival, August 2023. Photography by Shintaro Nabeshima.
Japanese Garden Bridge. Photography by Colton Graub. Courtesy of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.
Close-up of Ginkgo Tree Leaves.
Cherry Blossoms in the Cranbrook Japanese Garden. Courtesy of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.
Japanese Bon Festival, August 2024. Photography by Shintaro Nabeshima.