Shinzen Friendship Garden Programs & Events

Shinzen Friendship Garden Programs & Events offers classes, cultural demonstrations, learn and grow sessions, special programs, and workshops. Activities include sado (tea ceremony), koto, kitsuke (kimono culture), gardening, native plant studies, composting, lectures, films, performances, and special events.

Programs

• Classes — unless otherwise stated as “Youth”, all classes are for adults and teenagers 15 years and older
• Cultural Demonstrations — Live demonstrations including sado (tea ceremony), koto (a traditional stringed instrument), kitsuke (kimono culture), and more.
• Learn and Grow Sessions — Education sessions to explore interests in gardening, native plant studies, composting and more.
• Special Programs — all ages · Informative and unique experiences including lectures, films, performances, special events, and more.
• Workshops

At a glance

• Ages: 15–18 years old
• General schedule: Unless otherwise stated as “Youth”, all classes, workshops, and sessions are for adults and teenagers 15 years and older. All classes, workshops, sessions, and special programs take place inside Shinzen Garden and are held outdoors, subject to rescheduling due to weather.
• Facility hours: Garden Hours: Wed-Sun 10:00 am-5:00 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Clark Bonsai Museum Hours: Wed-Sun 10:00 am-4:00 pm; when temperatures exceed 95 degrees, 10:00 am-1:00 pm Wednesday-Sunday.

About the provider

Shinzen Friendship Garden, Inc. was dedicated in 1981. It is led by a Board of Directors, with Richele Kleiser as President, Ron Yamabe as Vice President, Kathryn Long-Pence as Treasurer, and Stephanie Barkama as Secretary. The staff listed are Casey Lamonski, Executive Director; J Schirmacher, Media Director; and Emily Backowski, Programs Coordinator. The organization’s mission is to create and grow a North American Japanese Garden that engages and inspires its community. Its events and programs promote Japanese art and culture in the Central Valley, and the organization provides educational programming, volunteer engagement, fundraising, and cultural events for the community.

Registration for workshops closes 48 hours before the class start time.

Last updated October 22, 2026.