Anderson Japanese Gardens offers a rare opportunity to participate in a Hanami Chakai, a traditional Japanese Flower Viewing Tea Ceremony. The demonstration will take place in Anderson Japanese Gardens’ 16th-century Sukiya-style Guest House. Participants will gather in the Visitors Center overlooking the Gardens where they will be met by the garden staff and guided through the spring landscape to the Guest House. Here, Professor Kimiko Gunji will demonstrate the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, featuring a bowl of green tea accompanied by a special Japanese sweet. At the conclusion of the tea ceremony, participants will have a chance to learn to make a bowl of tea as well as learn to drink it in a proper manner. After the tea experience, Garden Curator Tim Gruner will be available to answer questions and share the history of this architecturally unique building. Guests are invited to explore the Gardens as they return to the Visitor Center.
Location: Anderson Japanese Gardens
318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107
Hours: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm; 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Garden members $30; nonmembers $35