- All-Inclusive PlusAll-Inclusive
- Family-friendly
- Outdoors
Up to an hour
Japanese Friendship Garden
Up to an hour
Head to the Japanese Friendship Garden San Diego in Balboa Park.
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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 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.
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View all attractionsWhere you'll be
2215 Pan American Road, Balboa Park, San Diego, USStandard opening hours
Closings & holidays
May be closed major U.S. holidays.
March 13 - 16: passholders will NOT be able to use a pass to visit the garden due to the Japanese Friendship Garden’s 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival – tickets for this can be bought separately on their website.
Find out more
For more information, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden website.
Sun 9/26- Must do!
Steve NWell with the time and effort It is much larger than anticipaatedted The grounds are immaculate!
Beautiful
AngelaBeautiful and peaceful. Great for a slow, relaxing walk
Very beautiful, recommend it
BeckTranquil, beautiful, I highly recommend walking through this peaceful garden
Large garden
FamilyDeeVery 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.
It was okay.
CocoThis was an okay place but the waterfall is so beautiful
Major disappointment
Kat HWe expected gardens of beautiful flowers and really only experienced a koi pond. If you are going in with an expectation of lots off walking and seeing lots of the same shrubs and greenery, then you won’ be disappointed. But if you are expecting gorgeous plants and variety , this isn’ tthe place.
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