If you’ve visited Nitobe Memorial Garden and noticed construction, you might have wondered what happened. In Japanese hospitality, there is a concept called Omotenashi: the act of anticipating and thoughtfully caring for guests. In this spirit, we want to share a bit more context about the work that took place in the garden.
“The revitalization of Nitobe Memorial Garden is more than just the physical restoration of the bridge, shoreline and Azumaya; it is a renewal of the Zen values of harmony with nature, stability and naturalness that the garden and these structures embody,” says Dee Ann, Director of UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden, “These renovations help ensure that today’s visitors as well as future generations will continue to be quietly inspired by the Garden’s beauty, tranquility and cultural significance.”
With the support of the Japanese Canadian Legacy Fund and private donors, Nitobe Memorial Garden underwent restoration work to care for key elements of the garden.
Over time, like any living landscape, parts of the garden had aged and been repaired. While this is natural, some of these repairs have gradually shifted certain elements away from their original design. Now, through collaboration with Ogawa Landscape Design, this restoration work focused on bringing key features closer to their traditional form. By reintroducing traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this work honoured the garden’s original design and the cultural knowledge it carries.
“I have known Hayato Ogawa for 15 years or more,” says Ryo, Curator at Nitobe Memorial Garden. “He is one of the very few people, possibly the only one in North America, who knows both garden and building design with a high standard of Japanese craftsmanship. I really appreciate their skills and also their Omotenashi spirit. We have been discussing a lot together about how to minimize the impact to the garden and visitors. We have been trying to make it better and closer to the original Japanese authenticity, but also to blend into the current condition naturally.”
Three main features were restored:
The Bridge
The main bridge has already been restored after experiencing age-related deterioration, including rot. Come check out the fresh wood and renewed structure.
The Shoreline
The shoreline was restored to better reflect the garden’s original design. Stones along the water’s edge were carefully repositioned and repaired to re-establish balance within the landscape.
The Azumaya (Garden Pavillion)
The Azumaya was rebuilt due to deterioration and changes over time, returning it more closely to its traditional architectural form.
Materials Used in the new Azumaya:
Structure: The Azumaya was constructed primarily using high-quality, vertical grain Douglas fir sourced from Vancouver Island. The central roof support follows the traditional Japanese Kaburazuka construction method, which transfers the roof’s weight to a central support. For extra safety, the roof is reinforced with concealed bolts have been added in hidden locations. The plaster combines traditional Japanese materials with crushed white marble from Okayama Prefecture for a refined, durable finish.
Flooring: For the flooring, the original foundation stones (tsuka-ishi and shashi-ishi) were carefully preserved and reused. Locally sourced Black Tusk Basalt was installed between them, with each stone scribed by hand to create clean joints. Beneath the bench, Brohm Stone from near Whistler and Squamish completes the flooring.
Foundation: The paving uses the traditional Arare Koboshi (“scattered hailstones”) technique, arranging flat stones with tight joints to create the appearance of hailstones scattered across the ground. The stepping stones are made of rare Maguro ishi (Makuro Stone) from Kyoto’s Yase area, along the upper Takano River, part of the Kamo River watershed. They are prized for their deep black color and dense texture, used in suiseki (viewing stones) and Japanese gardens. These stones were donated by Hayato Ogawa.
“We were really pleased with how each phase of the project progressed,” says Brendan, Garden Supervisor. “Ogawa Landscape Design was able to work in harmony with the garden while doing some very transformative work with minimal disturbance to Nitobe. All aspects of the project were delivered in a very timely manner and will contribute to long-lasting improvements to the Nitobe infrastructure and garden design. Hayato Ogawa and his team were a pleasure to work with. We also really appreciated assistance from UBC Project Services and Pamela Troyer for assisting with necessary planning, permitting, and timelines.”
By restoring these elements using traditional approaches, this work helps preserve not only the physical space, but also the cultural values embedded within it. We invite you to explore the renovations and get a closer look at what’s taking shape at the garden.
Book your VisitWritten By:
Fernanda Munoz
Marketing and Communications Assistant
and Zoë Weaver
Special Events Assistant, Work Learn
UBC Botanical Garden
