Celebrate Japan! at Long Hill

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, join us at Long Hill for our annual Celebrate Japan! event, a partnership between The Trustees and the Japan Society of Boston. Together, we celebrate the rich cultural traditions, artistic practices, and enduring influence of Japanese heritage within Long Hill's gardens and beyond.

This event is free for members of The Trustees and the Japan Society of Boston. Pre-registration is recommended for all guests.

We are offering a pre-order option of Bento Boxes from Nagomi Bento. Please click HERE to view descriptions and place your order. All orders must be placed by May 27. Enjoy your bento in the gardens before or after participating in the complimentary activities listed below.

Complimentary Activities:

• Origami & Imagination Station (10 AM – 3 PM)

  • Includes origami, fish printing, Mine Crane Coloring Activities

• Mine Crane Art Exhibition (10 AM – 3 PM)

• Self-Guided Japanese Garden Tour

  • Scan QR codes placed throughout the gardens to unlock stories, horticultural highlights, and insights into Japanese design traditions

• Passport to Japan: Kids Scavenger Hunt

• Storytime (11:00 AM)

• Taiko Drumming Performance by ShinDaiko (1 PM)

In addition to our complimentary activities, we’re excited to offer a series of paid workshops as part of our Celebrate Japan event. Pre-registration is required. Registration links can be found below.

• Ikebana Workshop (REGISTER HERE): Discover the delicate and expressive art of Japanese flower arranging.

• Indigo Shibori Workshop (REGISTER HERE): Led by Michelle Blanchette, join us for an introductory workshop exploring the basics of Japanese Indigo Shibori!

• Heritage in Bloom: The Japanese Garden Tour at Long Hill (REGISTER HERE): Led by Senior Horticulturist Dan Bouchard. Join us as we explore the gardens of Long Hill through its distinctive Japanese and Asian horticultural plantings—from maples to tree peonies—while uncovering the history and design traditions that shape this serene landscape.

• Forest Bathing (REGISTER HERE): Rooted in Japanese wellness traditions, this sensory-rich experience supports emotional balance, reduces stress, and fosters a deeper relationship with the landscape around you.

About Celebrate Japan! at Long Hill:

Long Hill is proud to collaborate once again with the Japan Society of Boston to honor Japanese culture during AAPI Heritage Month. The Sedgwick family, who stewarded Long Hill from 1916 to 1979, cultivated a deep appreciation for Japanese art and horticulture. Mabel Cabot Sedgwick—an accomplished gardener and author of The Garden Month by Month—along with Marjorie Russell Sedgwick, a rare plants specialist, shaped the gardens through their shared creative vision. Their influence is reflected in Long Hill’s Japanese plantings and artifacts, which continue to inspire visitors today.

Through music, art, storytelling, and hands-on workshops, Celebrate Japan! invites our community to experience and appreciate the beauty, history, and cultural contributions of Japan in the spirit of AAPI Heritage Month.

Refunds must be requested from The Trustees within 7 days of the event.