Japanese Garden 50th Anniversary

Japanese Garden 50th Anniversary Celebration

Free • Family-Friendly • All are Welcome

Celebrate 50 Years of Peace, Culture & Community

Join us for a vibrant community celebration honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Normandale Japanese Garden. Experience traditional Japanese performances, hands-on cultural activities, guided garden tours, film screenings, delicious food, and more—all in one unforgettable afternoon.

Event Details:
Saturday, September 19
12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Normandale Community College
9700 France Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55431

Presented by:

The Japanese Garden's 50th Anniversary Celebration is proudly presented by TORO and the City of Bloomington, whose support of the garden and the Bloomington community has helped make this milestone celebration possible.

Plan Your Visit

Festival maps and self-guided tour information is coming soon.

For more information about the Garden, visit the Japanese Garden webpage.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

12:00 PM - Opening Ceremony

12:00 - 4:00pm - Activity Booths

12:00 - 4:00pm - Food & Refreshments

12:45 - 4:00pm - Cultural Performances & Live Entertainment

3:00pm - Keynote Speaker

Enter To Win

Guests can enter for a chance to win:

• TORO Lawn Mower

• Calligraphy Lesson for Two

• Japanese Tea Ceremony for Two

Celebrating the Garden's Legacy

Military Intelligence Service Veterans

The Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) veterans—Japanese American soldiers trained at Camp Savage and Fort Snelling during World War II—played a meaningful role in the creation of the Normandale Japanese Garden.

In the early 1970s, these veterans generously funded two of the garden's most recognizable features: the Bentendo Pavilion and the Taikobashi Bridge. Their gifts symbolize gratitude, cultural connection, reconciliation, and a lasting commitment to peace between nations.

Today, these landmarks continue to honor veterans' service and legacy while welcoming visitors from across the community.

Friends of the Japanese Garden

The Friends of the Japanese Garden are dedicated volunteers who generously give their time to help maintain and preserve the beauty of the garden throughout the year.