The upper courtyard, with its water feature and bonsai display welcomes you to the center of the museum. As you leave the International Pavilion and Special Exhibits Wing, the pagoda-like entrance to the Chinese Pavilion and the nearby serpentine wall give you a sense of the ancient roots of penjing and the mysticism of Asian art forms. The Japanese Stroll Garden prepares you for the formality and spirituality found in the Japanese Pavilion that is home to the museum’s first and oldest pieces. The Yamaguchi Garden, featuring a variety of plants native to North America, echoes the less formal styling and diversity of inspirations characteristic of American masters who contributed pieces in the North American Pavilion.