The Pavilion blends smoothly into the garden and, like its surroundings, reflects the artistic ideals of Japanese culture, or shibi: simple and refined beauty. Its sukiya style, a synthesis of classic and contemporary styles, recalls a traditional Japanese home.
The goal of the Pavilion is to celebrate Japanese culture and art. It was created under the direction of architect Hisato Hiraoka, and opened on June 22, 1989.
The pavilion has a number of rooms with different functions. It also gives access to the adjoining bonsai court.
The Toyota Exhibition Hall
The Toyota Exhibition Hall owes its name to Toyota Canada Inc, of which the head office is located in the city of Scarborough in Ontario. The creation and the achievement of the Tea Garden have been made possible by a generous contribution by Toyota Canada.
Truly versatile, Toyota Hall is used mostly for artistic exhibitions and educational activities. The room extends to the magnificent Japanese Garden with its breathtaking panorama, and overlooks the Zen Garden.
The Nomura Art Gallery
The Nomura Gallery is equipped with large display cases for temporary exhibitions. Objects related to a specific theme are presented.
The Tea Room
Designed in traditional style and featuring the ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony, the Tea Room is truly the focal point of the pavilion.
The tatami floors, sliding doors and panels (fusuma and shojis), calligraphic art and the floral arrangement displayed in the alcove (tokonoma) create a peaceful atmosphere for the tea ceremony, a ritual which goes back several centuries.
Book collection
For those seeking to learn about this fascinating country, the Jardin botanique de Montréal’s book collection contains hundreds of titles about Japan’s history, culture, arts, gardens, bonsai and ikebana.
As part of the main catalogue of the Jardin botanique’s library, these books reach beyond the confines of botanical and horticultural studies to explore topics as varied as lacquer, pottery and sumo wrestling.
The majority of the books in the collection can be found at the Jardin botanique’s library, where visitors can consult them on-site without a reservation, during the library’s opening hours.