Anderson Gardens in Rockford, Illinois

Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson received the inspiration for Anderson Japanese Gardens upon returning from their first visit to Japan in 1966. While visiting Japan, Mr. Anderson met a friend Akiro Ohno, who provided him with a complete look at Japanese culture and its people. When Mr. and Mrs. Anderson purchased property to build a new home, they both shared the idea that the grounds would be suitable for building their own Japanese Gardens.

Anderson Japanese Garden construction began in 1978, and the grounds were designed and built by Hoichi Kurisu. Hoichi Kurisu first came to America in 1968, after accepting a Director of Landscaping Design at the Japanese Garden Complex in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Kurisu spent many years studying ornamental landscaping under the tutelage of famed Japanese landscape designer Mr. Kenzo Ogata, and opened his own landscape design and construction business in Portland, Oregon.

The grounds consist of two extremely different areas; the first is a Japanese formal garden done in the style popular in 1185 through 1333 A.D., while the Tea House, Guest House and machiai are done in the 16th century Sukiya style. The three elements of the gardens are; rocks, water and plants. The first waterfall was built in 1981 and guided tours were first began in 1983.

Over the next 20 years there were several improvements and additions made to the property. In 1986, the Guest House gardens were completed and the West Waterfall construction began. Between 1991 and 1997, the Anderson Center was purchased and remodeled and the Blue Iris Visitors Center was added. The gardens are designed to allow guests to commune with nature, enjoy peace and tranquility and leave behind the stresses of every day life.

In April of 2008, the Anderson Gardens added a restaurant to the property, and is simply called the Restaurant at Anderson Gardens. The restaurant overlooks the gardens and has two outdoor decks for enjoyment during the spring and summer. There is seating for 135 people inside and the two additional decks allow for 40 more seats outside. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and has a weekend brunch option available for visitors.

The Anderson Gardens contains some very diverse flora with over 500 different types of rhododendron species and more than 100 types of companion plants. The gardens also contains the following features; Snow Viewing Lantern, the Granite Pagoda, Zig Zag Bridge, Crane Island, Turtle Island, Milles Angel Sculptures, Deer Chase and many other areas. The garden is not a park at all, but rather a place of reflection and unique beauty. The garden is open year-round weather permitting, and there are guided tours Monday through Thursday, for groups of thirty or less. It is recommended that any larger numbered groups call in advance to make special arrangements prior to visiting, the gardens and restaurant are a very popular attraction and last year approximately 40,000 visitors came to enjoy the peaceful environment the gardens provide.