Japan | Finding Joy Among Petals; Japan Garden Tour
Japan | Finding Joy Among Petals; Japan Garden Tour
March 22 – April 4, 2027
This itinerary specifically designed for Pacific Horticulture threads together a springtime love letter to Japan, centered on Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, and a quieter Gokayama village near Shirakawa-go, with a special visit to the World Horticultural Expo in Yokohama. Expect an emphasis on gardens, seasonal cherry-blossom viewing and hands-on cultural moments – matcha grinding, papermaking, tea ceremonies, and farmhouse life. The pace blends guided groups travel with pockets of free time so you can soak in the subleties of place; the hush beneath a mossed temple eave, the rhythm of a tea whisk, and the transient glory of sakura.
Hosted by Steven Pitsenbarger, San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden (see below)
Meet your host
Steven Pitsenbarger is one of North America’s most respected voices in Japanese garden horticulture, currently serving as Garden Supervisor at the iconic Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park — a role he has passionately embraced since 2007.
A dedicated student of Japanese garden philosophy, Steven has visited gardens across the United States and Japan, lectured at conferences nationwide, and serves on the board of the North American Japanese Garden Association. He believes Japanese gardens are contemplative spaces where nature and human intention work in harmony — a philosophy that shapes everything he does.
On this tour, you’ll benefit from Steven’s rare combination of scholarly depth, hands-on expertise, and an artist’s eye. You’re in wonderful hands.
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