Hidden Garden: A Japanese American Family’s Offer of Friendship Honors Culture and Beauty in 20th-Century Hayward

“The Shibata family garden and tea house in Hayward were designed by Zenjuro and Koyuri Shibata. Koyuri, who descended from a long line of Buddhist ministers in Japan, drew upon her religious sensibilities to define the garden’s structure and meanings. Many Haywardians attended events hosted in the garden before and after World War II, a garden which still exists today near Highway 92.

The Shibata family garden and tea house are a unique Hayward home, one that tells a story about family, community, and culture. This conversation provides context for understanding this historic site’s origins and its 80-year evolution.

Please contact bridget.ford@csueastbay.edu with questions, or visit haywardhistory.org.”