• All-Inclusive Plus
    All-Inclusive
  • Family-friendly
  • Outdoors

Up to an hour

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

Head to the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in Balboa Park.

Japanese Friendship Garden San Diego

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Overview

Stroll around this peaceful garden in San Diego’s Balboa Park – the nation’s largest urban cultural park.

The zen design of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum boasts traditional water and stone elements, two koi ponds, a bonsai collection, and unique attractions such as a cast bronze kannon bosatsu statue from 1735 AD. You'll enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the garden which fuses Japanese aesthetics with southern Californian characteristics.

The garden was created as a gesture of friendship between the US and Japan and combines water, pastoral and mountain scenes, also known as 'San-Kei-En' - a three-tiered experience. As you explore, you'll learn about all the little landscaped details and what they represent in Japanese culture.

Each calming element will bring a sense of peace and tranquility to your San Diego trip, so don't miss the chance to take some time out and enjoy this cultural sanctuary.


What's included

  • Explore the zen garden in Balboa Park.

  • Access the koi ponds, stepping stones, and landscaped features.


Where you'll be

2215 Pan American Road, Balboa Park, San Diego, US

Standard opening hours

Monday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Last entry time05:00 PM

Find out more

For more information, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum website.

Showing 1-6 out of 45 results

A nice peaceful addition to your day

Meena ·

Really enjoyed walking around this place and admiring the beauty. I do wish the central house had been a little bit more elaborate

Yes, I recommend this attraction

Sun 9/26- Must do!

Steve N ·

Well with the time and effort It is much larger than anticipaatedted The grounds are immaculate!

Yes, I recommend this attraction

Beautiful

Angela ·

Beautiful and peaceful. Great for a slow, relaxing walk

Yes, I recommend this attraction

Very beautiful, recommend it

Beck ·

Tranquil, beautiful, I highly recommend walking through this peaceful garden

Yes, I recommend this attraction

Large garden

FamilyDee ·

Very large garden with lots of walking paths. We visited in August and there was not much blooming, but I'm sure there are optimal times to visit. Paths could be a little better labeled.

Yes, I recommend this attraction

It was okay.

Coco ·

This was an okay place but the waterfall is so beautiful

Showing 1-6 out of 45 results

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