The North American Japanese Garden Association
Championing the Art, Craft and Heart of Japanese Gardens in North America

What is NAJGA?
We are the go-to resource for all things Japanese gardening in North America and a thriving community of hobbyists, professionals and garden staff. Japanese gardens are havens of beauty and tranquility, cultural and historic landscapes, and places for natural healing. The North American Japanese Garden Association promotes these gardens and the people who love and care for them through education, advocacy and community.


Join the Community
NAJGA consists of members from all over the globe and is made up of individuals, businesses and organizations. We offer membership levels for each of these categories with select benefits to better serve our members. Your Membership supports NAJGA’s mission and is tax deductible. Join us today!
Delve Into Our Resources
The North American Japanese Garden Association is the go-to source for all things Japanese gardening in North America. Explore our rich resources on Japanese gardens, covering terms, ideals, philosophies, design considerations and the craft of Japanese gardens as living art forms.
Reference Library
From design theory to the tools of the trade, our reference library is the go to resource for Japanese garden enthusiasts and professionals alike
Reference Handbook
Delve into a three-part encyclopedic overview of the entire field of study of Japanese gardens. Part 2 & 3 for members only!
NAJGA Journal
Read our annual publication about Japanese gardens written by experienced garden staff and gardening professionals
Participate In Our Programs
NAJGA offers national & regional sharing & networking opportunities, professional training, conferences & symposia to sustain & support the field of Japanese gardening. These include lectures & hands-on workshops focusing on the regional resources of the event location.
workshops
Want to actually learn how to make bamboo fences, tie Japanese knots or prune pines? Join a regional workshop near you and get hands-on experience
webinars
Our monthly webinars are a rich resource covering topics about Japanese garden design, history, and practical issues surrounding gardens in the west
Virtual Discussions
Network with other Japanese Garden enthusiasts as we share successes and challenges, ask questions and seek advice from one another
Explore Our Theme of the Month!
Every month NAJGA produces and gathers content around a topic related to Japanese Gardens.
Read our blog and check out our social media posts on the theme of the month!
February’s Theme: Architecture
The Special Relevance of Sukiya Architecture for North American Japanese Gardens
This essay focuses on the complex, cross-cultural origin of sukiya architecture as well as how—and why—it manifests a harmonious unity between architecture, gardens and nature.
Follow Us
Read Our Blog
Discover more on topics such as Japanese garden design, dry garden techniques, pine pruning, stone placement, koi care and more.
The Cranbrook Japanese Garden: Rehabilitating a Centennial Garden

Japanese Gardens in the Modern World
The Second World War had begun, and Japan was experiencing material shortages of just about everything, including food. But as children we
had no awareness of these things. We grew up playing in nature. We had no commercially manufactured toys. Instead, we explored the surrounding forests and valleys.
Become a Member
Enjoy the benefits of education, connection and community among Japanese Garden enthusiasts and professionals in North America!
As core staff at a public Japanese Garden, I was always searching for resources in English about niche topics related to Japanese gardening. Once I found the resources and programs at NAJGA, it changed everything. Not only have they been a treasure trove of excellent information, membership has connected me with other passionate people whose shared experience and conversation have been invaluable to me!
Questions? Ask Us Anything!
Contact us via the form below and we will get back to you asap.