Japanese Garden

Designed by landscape architect Koichi Kawana in 1985, Seisui-Tei, or the “Garden of Pure Water,” is a peaceful space to stop, rest and reflect. Located steps away from the Oswald Visitor Center, the Bonita and Scott Fisher Japanese Garden features a unique, hidden landscape that disappears completely among the mature trees surrounding it.

The design of the secluded garden plays with perspective, expanding views and eliminating boundaries, revealing and concealing elements of the garden from different vantage points along the garden path. The pond and gently flowing waterfall evoke the sea, and the island, shaped like a turtle, symbolizes longevity.

The rocks, or “bones of the earth,” that make up the waterfall were carefully selected at a Wisconsin quarry before being meticulously set to create the waterfall feature which draws inspiration from Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. Rough stones in the path by the water’s edge inspire visitors to slow down, check their footing, and then lift their eyes to a different view each time. 

Adding to the aesthetic of the garden are multiple sculptures including Pagoda Stone Tower, Pedestal Lantern 'Tachi-Gata'-Kasuga, Stone Lantern 'Tachi-Gata', Snow Viewing Lantern 'Yukimi-Gata' and Water Basin 'Tsukubai'.