Visit Anderson Japanese Gardens for Peace, Beauty, Waterfalls, and Stunning Landscape Design  

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG

For years, a friend of mine suggested that I visit Anderson Japanese Gardens (318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford IL 61107, 815-229-9390) in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois—and I finally took her advice. After visiting in mid-July, I’m sorry that I didn’t heed her suggestion sooner. The gardens are beautiful and a must-visit.  What’s better is that my entire family (wife and 14-year-old son) came along for the visit. I’m often alone in the natural areas of Chicagoland, so it was wonderful to visit the gardens as a family on our way to Galena, Illinois, in the Driftless Region.

Anderson Japanese Gardens began as a personal project of Rockford businessman John Anderson. He was inspired by a visit to the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon (which was designed by Hoichi Kurisu) and wanted to recreate the peace and serenity of that garden in his own backyard along Rockford’s Spring Creek. “Japanese gardens are very carefully designed and patiently pruned according to aesthetic principals to create a work of natural art that inspires calm, renewal, discovery and an invigorated soul,” according to the garden’s website. Anderson hired Hoichi Kurisu to design the Japanese-inspired garden, and construction began in 1978. Garden features were gradually added in the following years. In 1983, the garden was opened for public tours by appointment only. “Visitors parked in front of the Anderson home and tours were led by Mrs. Anderson,” according to the garden’s website. In 1998, Anderson and his wife Linda donated the gardens to the Rockford Rotary Charitable Association. What a wonderful act of generosity by the Andersons to share their private nature wonderland with the public!

Our Visit

We spent about 1.5 hours in the garden on a sunny day that was in the mid-80s. Our first stop was the Garden of Reflection and its pond filled with hundreds (thousands?) of brightly colored koi that turned into piranhas any time that we fed them with koi food that we’d purchased in the Visitor Center.   

We wandered the paths through the gardens (which are either paved or made of crushed limestone) and discovered scenic vistas, streams, waterfalls, charming bridges, and simple spaces with benches or other seating that one could use to relax in the heat or meditate. There are many winding paths that take you along dense foliage, the shores of ponds, and other areas. Some areas feature steps and uneven footing (including areas that climb close to waterfalls or that cross small water features). These treks are optional, and there are plenty of flat areas for the less adventurous or for those with mobility issues. The gardens offer a “flat path tour map,” which you can request when you purchase admission to the gardens.

As we walked, it was fun to make little discoveries (e.g., sculptures, flowers, turtles, chipmunks, ducks) and big discoveries such as a Japanese-inspired tea house and guest house amidst the trees and water features. You cannot enter the houses, but you can view their clean, utilitarian interiors (including their Tatami, traditional Japanese flooring coverings) through open windows and doors.  

We had a great time at Anderson Japanese Gardens during the first few hours of our vacation that eventually took us to Galena; to Dubuque, Iowa; to Potosi, Wisconsin; and then back again to Galena. We tried five new activities/destinations (e.g., kayaking on the Galena River, a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River) to keep our 14-year-old entertained and renewed our love for the Driftless Region. We hiked at Horseshoe Mound Preserve and took in the vast vistas of the Driftless Region. Most importantly, we spent time together as a family. Sometimes the simplest of things are the best. I’m grateful for every moment.

Before You Go

Admission Fees/Info (as of 8/6/24):

• Weekdays: Adults $12; Seniors (62+) $11; Students & Military, $10
• Weekends & Holidays: Adults, $14; Seniors (62+), $13; Students & Military, $12
•  Members & Children 5 and under are FREE
• Admission is free on the third Thursday of each month during the open season, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation. 

The Garden is open daily (including holidays) from May 1 through October 31 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Click here for a map of the gardens.  

There are many events in the gardens including a Japanese Summer Festival and Tuesday Evening in the Gardens (concerts). Click here for a calendar of events.

You can also get involved in wellness activities in the gardens such as awareness walks Yoga, Tai Chi, and Taiko drum classes. 

No pets, except for certified service animals, are allowed in the gardens.

Only bottled water is allowed in the gardens. Additionally, Koi food can be purchased in the gift shop to feed the colorful and enthusiastic fish.  

Fresco at the Gardens (815-316-3388 for reservations), which is located in the Visitor Center, has a large menu and serves breakfast, lunch, and food at special events. Its charming dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide beautiful views of the gardens. There are also two outdoor dining decks. 

There is a large gift shop with handmade crafts and art, clothing, and Japanese snacks. 

There are plenty of benches and other seating areas located throughout the garden.

Nearby Destinations:

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens (1 mile from the garden)

Burpee Museum of Natural History (2 miles from the garden)

Rockford Art Museum (2 miles from the garden)

Discovery Center Museum (2 miles from the garden)

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden (5 miles from the garden)

Midway Village Museum (6 miles from the garden)

Copyright (text/photos): Andrew Morkes, except quoted material

Looking for some great nature destinations in Chicagoland? If so, check out my book, Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit. It features amazing destinations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Click on the title to learn more. The book has 306 pages and 210+ photos and is only $18.99. Nature in Chicagoland received great reviews in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown, This Week in Birding blog, and Beverly Review.

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ABOUT ANDREW MORKES

I have been a writer and editor for nearly 30 years. I’m the founder of College & Career Press (2002); the author and publisher of “The Morkes Report: College and Career Planning Trends” blog; and the author and publisher of Hot Health Care Careers: 30 Occupations With Fast Growth and Many New Job Openings; Nontraditional Careers for Women and Men: More Than 30 Great Jobs for Women and Men With Apprenticeships Through PhDs; They Teach That in College!?: A Resource Guide to More Than 100 Interesting College Majors, which was selected as one of the best books of the year by the library journal Voice of Youth Advocates; and other titles. They Teach That in College!? provides more information on environmental- and sustainability-related majors such as Ecotourism, Range Management, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Built Environment, Sustainability Studies, and Sustainable Agriculture/Organic Farming. I served as a member of the parent advisory board at my son’s school for five years. 

In addition to these publications, I’ve written more than 70 books about careers for other publishing and media companies including Infobase (such as the venerable Encyclopedia of Careers & Vocational Guidance, the Vault Career Guide to Accounting, and many volumes in the Careers in Focus, Discovering Careers, What Can I Do Now?!, and Career Skills Library series) and Mason Crest (including those in the Careers in the Building Trades and Cool Careers in Science series).

Here’s a list of the environmental-focused titles that I’ve written:

• Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit
• Wind Turbine Technicians (Great Careers Without a Bachelor’s Degree series)
• Environmental Scientists (Cool Careers in Science series)
• Renewable Energy Careers (Cool Careers in Science series)
• Environment (Getting Started series)
• Solar Power Technicians (Careers in Infrastructure series)