Enter a secluded world of designed Japanese elegance in this garden of exotic and native plantings that encircle a serene pond.
Enjoy a serenely beautiful garden that’s both pleasing to the eye and soothing to the spirit. Created in 1950 by Chappaquiddick resident Hugh Jones, this garden of both native flora and exotic plants took a hard hit in 1991, when Hurricane Bob left it a tangle of uprooted trees and shrubs. Mytoi was redesigned by noted landscape architect Julie Messervy and restored with the help of many volunteers whose efforts continue today.
The garden’s signature feature is a small pond with an island that is reached by walking over a picturesque, raised bridge. Winding footpaths take visitors through a birch walk, camellia dell, stone garden, and hillside garden. See turtles, frogs, and goldfish at the garden’s pond and watch for osprey fishing from the sky along the path to nearby Poucha Pond.
Follow winding footpaths through a birch walk, camellia dell, stone garden, and hillside garden. A rustic shelter offers a broad view of the garden and a chance to become immersed in the meditative qualities of the landscape. Benches are located at designated spots along the trails.
Things To Do
Watch this video made by Mytoi volunteers:
When To Visit
Daily, sunrise to sunset.
Admission
Discounted fee for Members, May through October. FREE to all November through April.
Adult: $10 per person
Trustees Individual and Household Members: $5
Trustees Contributing Members and above: FREE
Child (12 & under): FREE
We welcome school and youth goups for experiential educational programs. Please visit our Education Page for details and to initiate a visit request.
Dike Road
Chappaquiddick Island
Martha’s Vineyard, MA 02539
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Edgartown-Chappaquiddick ferry, take Chappaquiddick Road 2.5 mi. At sharp right curve, continue straight onto Dike Road (dirt road) and follow for 0.3 mi. to entrance and parking area (15 cars) on left. Roadside parking not permitted and is strictly enforced.
Sand, stone, and duckboard paths wind through Japanese maples, pines, and flowering shrubs carefully trained to articulate the views within the garden. Boundary plantings and edge screening create intimacy and privacy, turning away from the broader scenery of sand and shore that dominate the rest of the island.
What You’ll Find
Facilities
Accessibility
Free trail map distributed from bulletin board in the parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out.
We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or download our trail map and property guide before you head out.
With eight Trustees properties to discover on the island, there is something for everyone. Experience unique coastal landscapes, and begin creating treasured memories today.
During the late 1950s, Hugh Jones, an Edgartown resident and architect of Japanese design, began a journey to design the garden that would become Mytoi. Jones was its creator, designer, and caretaker, doing all of the plantings and landscaping himself, until his passing in 1965. His family placed Mytoi Garden in the hands of another Edgartown resident and local conservationist, Mary Wakeman. Mary continued the Japanese design of Mytoi, overseeing its evolution into a beautiful garden that provided the additional benefit of free access to the public.
Had a wonderful walk through with friends. The closer you look, the more little garden secrets you uncover!
– Kathy W, TripAdvisor Reviewer
