Jackson Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Osaka Garden

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Osaka Garden Marker

Inscription. The Osaka Garden symbolizes the mutual respect and friendship that Japan and the United States initiated more than 130 years ago. In 1893, here on Jackson Park's Wooded Island, the Japanese government built the Hooden (Ho-oh-den) as its pavilion for the World's Columbian Exposition. The Hooden introduced Japan's artistic heritage to Americans and remained as a gift to Chicago after the Fair. The original pavilion had only a small garden; however, in the mid-1930s, the newly-formed Chicago Park District restored the pavilion and added a more extensive Japanese Garden. Funded by the Works Progress Administration, the project incorporated Japanese elements including a small tea house from Chicago's 1933-34 World's Fair, A Century of Progress, in Burnham Park. After this site was repeatedly vandalized during WWII, two acts of arson destroyed the Hooden in 1946, less than a year after the war ended

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in the Pacific. Although Japan and America entered into a peace treaty in 1952, the garden deteriorated and received only minor improvements until the early 1980s, when the Chicago Park District received a federal grant for its restoration. Since then, the Osaka Garden has been revitalized several times, including a 1992 project that celebrated Chicago's Sister City relationship with Osaka, Japan. Today, Chicago Park District works with Chicago's greater Japanese cultural community to interpret and promote the legacy of this historic garden and Jackson Park.

Erected by Chicago Park District.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 41° 47.207′ N,

Osaka Garden Marker in the shadow of the Barack Obama Presidential Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Osaka Garden Marker in the shadow of the Barack Obama Presidential Center

87° 35.001′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near South Cornell Avenue. The marker is near the entrance to the Osaka Garden on Wooded Island in Jackson Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 35th Anniversary of Chicago-Osaka Sister City Relationship (here,

Entrance to the Osaka Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Entrance to the Osaka Garden

The marker is just off camera to the right and rear. The marker by the tree is related to the 35th anniversary of the Chicago-Osaka partnership.

next to this marker); a different marker also named Osaka Garden (a few steps from this marker); Yoko Ono (within shouting distance of this marker); Legacy Tree Preservation Project, March, 2026 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson Park Improvements (about 400 feet away); The First Automobile Race in America (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson Park Improvements (about 500 feet away); Alison Saar, b. 1956 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Garden of the Phoenix (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This marker appears to have replaced an earlier sign that was at this location, titled "Garden of the Phoenix." The text of the two markers is mostly the same, except for a handful of updates.

Also see . . . Chicago Park District: Osaka Garden.

Inside the Osaka Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

4. Inside the Osaka Garden

Excerpt: "Though the garden has faced challenges—including loss, neglect, and even destruction during World War II—its story is one of resilience and renewal. Remarkably, original pieces of the Hooden Pavilion were rediscovered decades later and now reside at the Art Institute of Chicago, a testament to the enduring connection between our communities."

(Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Inside the Osaka Garden, looking north towards the Museum of Science and Industry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

5. Inside the Osaka Garden, looking north towards the Museum of Science and Industry

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.