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Hakone Estate and Gardens

Why We Like This Place

We all have our own idea of the perfect getaway, a place to escape to when the world is too much for us. For some, it’s a little grass hut on a tropical island; for others it’s a villa on the Riviera. For Oliver and Isabel Stine, however, it was a Japanese garden.

Inspired by exhibits they saw at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, the Stines purchased 16 acres near Saratoga on which to build Hakone Gardens, their summer home. In 1932, the property was bought by a financier, who owned it until 1960 when six families bought it. Then the City of Saratoga purchased the gardens in 1966, and hired a Japanese landscape gardener to restore them to their former splendor. The gardens are now maintained under the watchful eye of the nonprofit Hakone Foundation.

Because Hakone is open to the public seven days a week until 5pm, outdoor events must be held after 5. If you’re an early bird, you can also schedule your event in the morning before the facility opens. During these times you have the entire gardens to yourself. Larger weddings often take place in the gravel area near the Koi Pond (the garden area) while truly intimate ceremonies of 15 or fewer are held in the Wisteria Pavilion, a charming wooden structure perched on the banks of the pond and entwined with wisteria. Afterwards, guests can walk the short distance to the Madrone Mound, a gravel-topped rise shaded by an arching oak tree and bamboos, which is equally fine for a seated or standing reception.

Those wishing to tie the knot during more conventional hours are welcome to do so—indoors. Hakone features two meticulously detailed and authentic Japanese structures that are available for four-hour or all-day rentals. The Lower House has redwood walls in the reception area, a tea ceremony room (not available to the public, unless you’re going to have a tea ceremony there) and a shoe-removal rock near the entrance. The Cultural Exchange Center is a replica of a 19th-century Kyoto tea merchant’s shop and living quarters. Built in 1991, the building was assembled in Japan using traditional methods and materials, then set up on its present site by Japanese carpenters. Display cases containing various Japanese artifacts line the walls of the reception area, and elsewhere in the building there is a traditional tatamied tea ceremony room. The Cultural Exchange Deck, overlooking the Santa Clara Valley, is perfect for a breathtaking ceremony, formal seated dinner or a more relaxed cocktail reception.

Weddings are popular at Hakone Gardens, and on moonlit summer nights they’re nothing short of enchanting. Business functions also benefit from the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. In fact, the way we see it, any type of event—whether indoors or out—will be enhanced by these beautiful surroundings.

Capacity

Ceremony	Reception/Special Events	Meetings
Max. Seated Indoors: 60 Max. Seated Outdoors: 150	Max. Seated Indoors: 60 Max. Seated Outdoors: 150 Max. Standing Indoors: 100 Max. Standing Outdoors: 150	Max. Seated: 80
CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Garden Area or the Madrone Mound holds 150 seated or standing guests; the Cultural Exchange Center (CEC) holds 80 seated theater-style; the Lower House 60 seated theater-style. RECEPTION CAPACITY: The Cultural Exchange Center accommodates 60 seated or standing indoors, with an additional 40 guests seated on the adjacent deck. The Madrone Mound holds 150 seated or standing outdoors. The Lower House holds 40 seated guests. MEETING CAPACITY: The Cultural Exchange Center accommodates 80 seated theater-style or 35–40 seated conference-style. The Lower House holds 60 guests seated theater-style or 20 seated conference-style.

Fees & Deposits

To secure your date, a $600 refundable deposit plus half the rental fee is required; the balance is due 90 days prior to the event. For weddings and special events taking place between May and October, use fees range $1,050–6,600 depending on space(s) rented. Overtime is $400–600/hour, not to go past 10pm. Off-season rates available.

For business meetings, use fees range $120–200/hour depending on space(s) rented.

Availability

For weddings and receptions, the Garden Area and Madrone Mound are available 8am–11am or 5pm–9pm (or 10pm with overtime fee); the Lower House and Cultural Exchange Center 9am–9pm (or 10pm with overtime fee). For business functions, year-round, daily, 8am–5pm, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Catering Choose From List Alcohol BYO Location Uses Ceremonies Wedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/Amenities Catering: preferred list Kitchen Facilities: prep only Tables & Chairs: provided Linens, Silver, etc.: through caterer Restrooms: limited wheelchair accessibility Dance Floor: yes Bride’s Dressing Area: yes Meeting Equipment: DVD player, LCD projector/screen,white boards, easels, wireless internet Parking: large lot, free parking for guests Accommodations: no guest rooms Telephone: emergency use only for meetings Outdoor Night Lighting: yes Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no Cleanup: renter or caterer View: Santa Clara Valley, Japanese gardens, cascading waterfalls and koi pond Other: gift shop, picnic tables, access to gardens, trails and paths, tea ceremony & guided tours

Amplified Music Indoors w/ Restrictions Wheelchair Access Access Limited Site Views Garden Garden Patio/Courtyard Lagoon/Pond Landscaped Grounds Valley Waterfall Venue Type Banquet Hall/Events Facility Garden Restrictions Alcohol: wine, beer and champagne only, through caterer or BYO Smoking: parking lot only Music: amplified OK indoors with volume limits Wheelchair Access: limited Insurance: not required Other: no rice, decorations restricted

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