Join The Japan House for Tsukimi, the traditional Japanese holiday celebrating the Harvest Moon!

Tsukimi (??) or O-tsukimi (???) is a holiday that celebrates the beauty of the Harvest Moon. Influenced by the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, this special night has become a unique Japanese custom of holding moon-viewing parties featuring special food and beautiful decorations for thousands of years.

Note: Japan House will not be open to the public during Tsukimi and there are no public restrooms in the Arboretum. All activities will take place outside so please plan accordingly. The matcha cafe will be open at 6:30pm.

Each year at Japan House, we offer the opportunity for guests to view a tea ceremony and to celebrate the full moon together in the beauty of the gardens.

At 6pm, floral artist and Ikenobo ikebana teacher Reiko Takahashi will be making a special ikebana arrangement called "tatehana" as an offering to the Moon. Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji will perform a special tea ceremony in the Japan House Gardens to honor the Harvest Moon for all to watch.

Japan House interns will be floating lanterns to illuminate the ponds and guests are welcome to stroll through the area for this solemn occasion. In the south driveway, Japan House will have a pop-up matcha cafe offering joyo manju and iced sencha (green tea) for sale at 6:30pm. Pre-orders are welcome online and limited quantities are available for walk-up purchases. The cafe will open once the tea ceremony is complete and an offering is made to the moon. The joyo manju is gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan!