Yume Japanese Gardens was acquired by Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) in May 2025 and has been under extensive renovation. It will re-open to the public on Sunday October 11, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way.
Two new exhibits will open that day — Sounds, Silence & Time: A Glimpse Into Hogaku, and The Boy Who Drew Cats.
“The exhibition will offer a glimpse into the vast and multilayered world of hōgaku. Yume’s two pocket galleries will showcase a selection of traditional Japanese instruments from Yume’s historic and new collections, complemented by generous loans from individual artists and the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).”
“TBG is delighted to celebrate the opening of Yume Japanese Gardens with a special exhibition of illustrations by Manabu Saito. Selected from the Gardens’ private collection of Saito’s work, the show spotlights 14 original publisher proofs he created for the children’s book, “The Boy Who Drew Cats, and Other Tales of Lafcadio Hearn.”
SUNDAYS, OCTOBER 11, 18, 25, NOVEMBER 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
“This class combines the subtle minimalism of Japanese haiku poetry and the versatile visual imagery of comics (manga). Each session invites participants to capture small, beautiful moments from daily life that often go unnoticed. Through guided instruction, reflection, gentle prompts, and supportive group sharing, we will explore the structure and principles of haiku alongside the fundamentals of comics. Participants will develop their own illustrated narrative poems while building tools for self-expression, insight, and creative confidence.
Our art-making sessions will include mindfulness practices, guided visualizations, and somatic (mind–body–spirit) awareness exercises to help participants connect more deeply with their experiences.
Recommended Art Materials:
A Strathmore 300 Series Bristol sketchbook is included.
*These supplies are suggested but not required. The instructor will provide them if needed.
instructor
Lin Lucas
Lin Lucas is a multi-disciplinary ritual-artist, educator, and ancestral lineage healing practitioner whose teaching practice centers the reactivation of intuition. Lin has taught youth and adult graphic narrative courses for a wide variety of schools and arts organizations in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Tucson. His work is an extension of his interest in Chan Buddhism and the Japanese art of butoh; it is grounded in a desire to reclaim the transformative role of dreamers in community.
Lin’s published comics and short fiction have appeared in Top Shelf Comics anthologies, the Xeric Award-winning Two-Fisted Science, the French anthology Le Dernier Nerone, Split Rock Review, Genesis Science Fiction Magazine, and the Genesis II Anthology. “
Yume Japanese Gardens originally opened in Tucson in January, 2013 at 2130 N. Alvernon Way, and was sold to Tucson Botanical Gardens in May 2025. After renovation, it will be re-opening on October 11, 2026. Opening hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 pm.at 2150 N. Alvernon Way.
“A Journey Into The Spirit Of Japan In Tucson, Arizona
Yume means “dream” in Japanese, and as in a dream, the gardens conduct visitors through metaphors that summon the creative force of centuries of Japanese culture. Stroll through Japanese courtyard-style gardens on 2/3 of an acre in Tucson, Arizona.”
info about many upcoming events (I.e. haiku comics workshops, haiku walk, koto & shakuhachi concerts) in October and November here:
