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"Garden of pure, clear harmony and peace." The largest traditional Japanese Garden in North America, Seiwa-en covers 14 acres, including a 4-1/2 acre lake surrounded by expansive lawns and a meandering path. This is a chisen kaiyu-shiki, or "wet strolling garden," a style developed by wealthy landowners of the late Edo period in 19th century Japan. Koichi Kawana, designer of Seiwa-en, said that a Japanese garden cannot be fully explained in words, but must be experienced. The garden must be seen with the mind, not just the eyes, allowing the imagination to move beyond the obvious to discover deeper spiritual meanings. Every aspect of Seiwa-en has been subtly refined to encourage visitors to slow down, to contemplate and observe.

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