There are a number of different parts of the Hakone Gardens including two houses, a cultural exchange center and four major gardens. Constructed without nails, the Upper House sits on the Moon Viewing Hill which is a place where both the gardens and the moon can be seen. Inside the floors are covered with traditional tatami mats and there is both a Japanese scroll and flower arrangement. The Lower House, which was built in 1922 as a Western-style summer retreat, has since then been converted to a community facility with a large reception room and two tea ceremony rooms. Completed in 1991, the Cultural Exchange Center was modeled after a 19th- century Kyoto tea merchant's house and shop. Constructed in Japan, the building was shipped and permanently raised in the Gardens. A number of events and programs are held here including a variety of classes, lectures and demonstrations, as well as a artists-in-residence program. There are also tea ceremony rooms, a tea museum and space for workshops.
The four gardens in Hakone Gardens include the Hill and Pond Garden, the Tea Garden, the Zen Garden and the Kizuna-en. The Hill and Pond Garden is the heart of Hakone Gardens and was primarily created for strolling. When in bloom, wisteria and cherry blossoms line the walk for a beautiful scene. The Tea Garden path is a quiet and soothing walk, enclosed for privacy. It includes a traditional Japanese water basin which is used to purify the hands and mouth which, along with the calming quiet, is meant to prepare visitors to enter the tea ceremony rooms. A primarily dry garden, the Zen Garden is made up of raked patterns of gravel interspersed with large stone representative of islands. This garden is for meditation viewing only and is never entered. The Kizuna-en is a bamboo garden, that represents the close friendship that Saratoga and their Sister City, Muko- shi, Japan have shared. Large groups of white stones represent the City Councils of both cities while the smaller white gravel represents the Pacific Ocean that lies between them. Muko-shi donated, not only their expertise, but also many of the bamboo specimens to this project. The Japan Bamboo Society of Saratoga is responsible for maintaining this garden. It is closed in the spring to protect new growth.
The Hakone Foundation was formed in 1984 to maintain, enhance and develop the Hakone Gardens. This non-profit foundation strives to decrease the public financing of these Gardens by encouraging contributions, managing the rentals of buildings and sponsoring programs that promote cultural awareness and appreciation of Japanese cultural. Anyone is welcome to join this organization. The membership fee for the Hakone Foundation is $25 yearly. Benefits include free parking, the Hakone Views Newsletter and notice of special events.
Volunteers provide tours, act as staff in the gift shop, as well as assistance in the garden and office. Anyone is welcome to participate.
Michael Cronk, "Tiles and Timbers From Japan Create Center in Saratoga: 19th Century Merchant's Home Opens in Hakone Gardens", San Jose Mercury News, Wednesday, 19 June 1991, Morning Final Edition, Extra 2 Sec., p. 2 Charles Lindsey, "Raising Canes: Hakone Gardens' Lovingly Cared For Bamboo Grove Symbolizes Harmony with Nature and Respect for Things Aged", San Jose Mercury News, Thursday, 29 October 1992, Morning Final Edition, Garden Sec., p. 1B San Jose Mercury Staff, "History Group Looks at Hakone Gardens", San Jose Mercury News, Wednesday, 11 January 1995, Morning Final Edition, Extra 2 Sec., p. 8
