Japanese Summer Festival
A Celebration of Traditional Cultural Arts
Saturday & Sunday, July 18 & July 19, 2026
The Japanese Summer Festival features exhibits, demonstrations and unique performances that appeal to all age groups and foster a better understanding of the Japanese culture.
Festival activities are included with Garden Admission, advanced registration and additional fee required for tea ceremony participation.
2026 Japanese Summer Festival
The full schedule of performances and activities will be posted in early summer!
Free Admission for Premium Garden Members
Cost of Regular Garden Admission for Basic & Non-Members
Adults $15, Seniors $14, Students & Military $13, 5 & under FREE
Parking Lots Fill Early
Off-Site Parking Located at the College of Medicine
Complimentary Shuttle Service Offered to & from Visitor Center
Food Available for Purchase
Picnic area available during the festival. Bottled water is permitted in the Garden. No other carry-in beverage or food is allowed in the Garden.
Please help us keep the grounds clean by not littering. Please discard all garbage in the trash receptacles on-site.
Tea Ceremonies
Tea ceremonies are hosted by Kimiko Gunji, Professor Emeritus of Japanese Arts & Culture in the School of Art & Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Anderson Japanese Gardens Tea Study Group. Gunji Sensei is also the retired director of Japan House at the University. Advanced Registration for all ceremonies is required and space is limited at each tea ceremony.
There are three designated tea ceremony locations, each offering a different Chado experience. Chado means ‘the way of tea” and is a spiritual and aesthetic discipline that fosters peace and connection between the host and guests. At the Guest House, tea will be presented in the Misonodana table style, allowing guests to enjoy the ceremony sitting on the tatami mats indoors with an air-conditioned view of the karesansui garden. At our traditional and cozy Tea Hut, guests may sit seiza or cross-legged as the host prepares a bowl of tea. At the Gazebo, guests will enjoy the sounds of nature and the nearby waterfall, sitting comfortably on shaded bench seats as their tea host prepares a bowl of tea.
Tea Ceremony Registration includes admission to the Garden for the date of your Tea Ceremony
Participants are asked to check in at the registration cart in the Guest House Circle (Location 2) 20 minutes before their tea ceremony time.
Regular Tea Ceremonies
$35.00 for Garden members | $40.00 for non-members
Special Tea Ceremony with Professor Gunji
$40.00 for Garden members | $45.00 for non-members
The deadline to register for tea ceremony participation is Wednesday, July 15, at 5:00 PM. Anything cancelled after this time will not be eligible for a refund.
SATURDAY
GUEST HOUSE
SPECIAL TEA w/ Professor Gunji
Takes place in the Guest House
GAZEBO
TEA HUT
SUNDAY
GUEST HOUSE
SPECIAL TEA w/ Professor Gunji
Takes place in the Guest House
GAZEBO
TEA HUT
Food and Vendors
Satomi’s Atelier
Some people say my paintings have a “nostalgic,” “scenic,” or “peaceful” feeling. It would be an honor if my paintings brought “peace” to your heart.
Visit Satomi near the pavilion lawn (Location 5 on Map), All day Saturday and Sunday.
Food Vendors and Picnic Tables can be found by the East Parking Lot
Food Vendors Subject to Change
