One of the top Japanese style gardens in North America.  The intention of Anderson Japanese Gardens: to “inspire the mind and energize the soul.”  An extended trip to Japan as a young adult left patron John Anderson impressed by the power of Japanese gardens to make us feel better.  Inspired by the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon Anderson decided to transform his wooded, swampy Illinois backyard into a Japanese-inspired garden in 1978.  To do this he turned to award-winning garden designer Hoichi Karisu, famous for creating restorative gardens. Over time the garden has expanded to over 12 acres.