Normandale Community College will host an event celebrating the Japanese Garden’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 19 from 12 to 4 p.m.
The event will be a free, family‑friendly and will honor Japanese culture and one of Bloomington’s most beloved landmarks. It will feature cultural performances, hands‑on activity booths, and delicious Japanese cuisine as we celebrate the garden’s legacy of peace, reflection, and community.
Built between 1972 and 1976 through the dedication of the Bloomington Affiliated Garden Clubs, with support from the Japanese American Veterans of the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service Language School, the two‑acre garden features koi‑filled ponds, handcrafted bridges, lanterns, islands, a waterfall, and more than 300 carefully selected Minnesota‑hardy plants. Designed with guidance from Tokyo garden architect Takao Watanabe, the space blends authentic Japanese aesthetics with local resilience.
The Japanese Garden’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is presented by TORO, whose support of the garden and the Bloomington community makes this milestone possible.
We are grateful for the partnership and collaboration of the following community organizations:
You can continue to stay updated with details of the event by vising normandale.edu/japanesegarden.
top
