Japanese Friendship Garden

Developed by the Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego, this exquisite garden covers two acres of a very special 11-acre plot within Balboa Park. It was the site of a huge Japanese Tea Pavilion that was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. When the exhibition ended, strong community support kept the Pavilion open until its war-related dismantlement in 1941.

Working closely together, the sister cities of San Diego and Yokohama wanted to create a garden here as an expression of the friendship between the two cities and their cultures. The latest renovation project concluded in 1999 under the direction of landscape architect Takeo Uesugi, and today the Japanese Friendship Garden features an Exhibit Hall, an Activity Center, and a Koi Pond in addition numerous stone and metal lanterns, a wisteria arbor with a bamboo framework, a bonsai ornamental tree collection, and a meditative Zen garden.

Japanese Friendship Garden is also maintained as an educational resource for the local community. Numerous seminars and workshops are conducted here along with accredited horticultural classes. On exhibit, too, is a remarkable private collection of Japanese artifacts from all over the world. Every year, some 100,000 people visit the grounds, which are located at 2125 Pan American Road East, San Diego, California 92101. There is no charge for admission.