MFA Japanese Garden

Welcome to MFA Japanese Garden: Tenshin-en

Located at 465 Huntington Avenue in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, the MFA Japanese Garden, known as Tenshin-en or the “Garden of the Heart of Heaven,” is a serene oasis dedicated to contemplation and reflection. Established in October 1988, this exquisite garden is a tribute to Kakuzō Okakura, the esteemed curator of Chinese and Japanese Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, from 1904 to 1913. Renowned in Japan as Okakura Tenshin, his legacy lives on in this captivating garden.

Designed by the late Professor Kinsaku Nakane of Kyoto, Tenshin-en embodies the karesansui style, a traditional Japanese garden aesthetic that captures the grandeur of nature within a confined space. As Professor Nakane articulated, the goal is to evoke the majesty of natural landscapes—waterfalls, mountains, islands, and oceans—through carefully arranged elements. The garden features over 200 stones, including a striking dry waterfall (takiguchi), towering stones symbolizing Mount Sumeru, and representations of the Mystic Isles of the Immortals: Tortoise Island (kamejima) and Crane Island (tsurujima).

Enriching the landscape are more than seventy plant species, totaling 1,750 specimens, sourced from both America and Japan. This diverse flora, including cherries, Japanese maples, and pines, reflects the beauty of the changing seasons. Tenshin-en represents a harmonious blend of Japanese symbolism and the evocative essence of New England's rocky coastlines and lush forests.

This unique cultural fusion is made possible with the founding and renewal support of the Nippon Television Network Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Additional contributions for the garden’s care and maintenance come from Jan Fontein, the Beacon Hill Garden Club, Sharon and Brad Malt, the Lawrence and Roberta Cohn Fund for the Department of Asiatic Art, and the Wendy Shattuck Landscape Maintenance Fund.

Visit the MFA Japanese Garden to experience the tranquil beauty and profound symbolism of Tenshin-en. Stay informed about the latest happenings at the MFA, including exhibitions, programs, and special events, by subscribing to our updates.