2012 / Japanese Garden at Huntington Library reopens after major renovation (Photo Gallery)

An authrntic ceremonial teahouse, called "Seifu-an," is situated on a ridge in the Japanese Garden of the Huntington Library. (Cultural News Photo)

After a year-long closure and a $6.8 million renovation, the historic Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, reopened April 11 with a new ceremonial teahouse, teagarden, waterfall, accessible paths, and a restoration of the Japanese House.

The teahouse, called Seifu-an (the Arbor of Pure Breeze), was donated to the Huntington by the Pasadena Buddhist Temple. The authentic ceremonial teahouse is situated on a ridge above the existing Japanese House and set within a traditionally landscaped tea garden.

A newly created waterfall cascades down the slope, visually connecting the tea garden to the ponds below.

A restoration of the Japanese House, a structure built in Japan around 1904, was completed after a preservation architect revealed a number of original architectural features that had been covered over or removed during the course of the past century.

The Huntington Library is open to the public Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, from noon to 4:30 pm; and Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Closed Tuesdays and major holidays. General admissions are $15 on weekdays, and $20 on Weekends and Monday holidays.

Admission is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of each month with advance tickets. For information, call (626) 405-2100 or visit www.huntington.org