Japanese Garden Hidden in Monte Sano State Park

Tucked away in a hidden place in Monte Sano State Park is a beautiful Japanese Garden. I had been by it several times without realizing what a serene and calming place was so close at hand. You can reach the garden by parking at the Monte Sano Lodge and crossing the street to a little worn, but unmarked, path. A small sign reads "no horses or bicycles."

The two-acre garden is surrounded by bamboo. Following the path leads to one of two little red bridges. An open space showcases a Japanese teahouse with a clearing around it.

When I visited, it was the first Sunday in May when the Annual Japanese Festival is held. The Festival was first started in 1994. It is free to the public and includes Japanese dance demonstrations from a variety of performers, sword fighting and karate exhibitions, origami demonstrations, music from the koto, a Japanese tea ceremony and refreshments for the public.

Since the opening of the Toyota plant in Huntsville, the Japanese population has expanded. However, this little garden was started much earlier in Huntsville's history. In 1989, Robert Black, co-owner of Nikko's Japanese Restaurant in Hampton Cove started working on the garden on Sunday afternoons. Eventually, some of the Japanese engineers at Redstone Arsenal heard about it and started coming out to help. It was just a hobby, with no funding and all volunteer work. The two red bridges were made a home and carried to the park.

This is such a great hideaway to stop by any time to be surrounded by nature and meditate. I can't wait to go back.

Japanese Garden & Festival Photos
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