Micke Grove’s Japanese Garden: A Symbol of Community
By Zoee Flores Riggio | Photos courtesy of San Joaquin County Historical Museum
The Japanese Garden in Micke Grove Regional Park is a prime example of the cultural heritage, natural beauty and community spirit that abound in San Joaquin County. This 3.5-acre garden, which opened its gates to the public on March 25, 1962, attracted an all-time park record of 14,652 visitors on its opening day. Designed to symbolize solidarity between the Japanese American community and San Joaquin County after World War II, the garden remains a testament to collaboration and unity.
Tihe vision for the Japanese Garden began with Maseo “Duke” Yoshimura, a county landscape gardener born in Sacramento and raised in Japan. Duke’s life connected two cultures; he returned to the United States for high school and later served in World War II, during which he taught judo. After joining Micke Grove Park as a landscaper, he received permission from Mr. William Micke to create the Japanese Garden. The design was assigned to Nagao Sakurai, a distinguished landscape architect and former chief gardener of the Imperial Palace gardens in Tokyo.
The Japanese American Citizens League of Stockton was the driving force of a fundraising campaign in 1959, raising $5,000 to kickstart the project. Volunteers from both the Stockton Gardeners Club and the Lodi Japanese Gardeners contributed countless hours to make the vision a reality. These dedicated individuals arranged boulders for the waterfall, planted flowering trees and even helped put together the garden’s 26-foot bridge, constructed from materials donated by Bob and Richard Yamada of
Union Island.
The garden’s stunning design incorporates several traditional elements of Japanese landscaping and architecture. Visitors can admire the cascading waterfall, widely regarded as one of the garden’s most beautiful features. The hand-carved stone lanterns are from Shimizu, Japan. The tranquil koi pond is home to some of the most extraordinary fish. In 1962, 36 rare goldfish and three multicolored carp were donated from the Tokyo research fish hatchery of Nihon Ryukoku Kaisha. These fish traveled 5,200 miles to be added to the Japanese Garden, and at the time, they were worth over $100 each. The garden also received a gift from the mayor of Kofu, Japan, which is Lodi’s sister city. After visiting in 1961, Kofu’s mayor, Keijiro Takano, promised the garden a pagoda constructed of stone from the Kofu hills, and in 1963, he donated a 2,500-pound pagoda.
Today, the Micke Grove Japanese Garden serves as a cherished destination for visitors seeking peace, beauty and cultural enrichment. Its tranquil paths, shaded by blooming cherry blossoms in spring, provide an ideal setting for relaxation, weddings and special events. This community treasure reflects an investment of over $100,000 and countless hours of labor, symbolizing the enduring bonds between San Joaquin County and the Japanese American community. Whether admiring the koi, listening to the waterfall, or simply enjoying the garden’s serene ambiance, visitors leave with a renewed sense of connection to both nature and community.
