Friends of the Japanese Garden

Mission Statement

Friends of the Garden was created in 2009 with a vision to at last provide sustaining support to the Japanese Garden created by Fredrick Law Olmstead in 1893 on the Wooded Island as part of the Columbian Exposition. We embrace the full history of the Garden to which the Meiji Emperor made original donations and which has received repeated support from the people of Japan and the City of Chicago. Since 1973, the City of Osaka has been the "best friend" of the Garden, and that is why the Garden was rededicated as the Osaka Garden by the City of Chicago. Our foundation aims to provide the continuous sustaining support which the Garden has never had. Our dreams are great, but we are starting small. Please become a Friend, and bring your ideas, donations, talent and enthusiasm!