About the Museum

The Japanese Friendship Garden is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama that binds the two cultures to create a unique experience for visitors from all over the world. Representing a new concept in the development of a Japanese garden outside of Japan, the Japanese Friendship Garden is well-known for its unique setting, stone arrangement, Koi pond, exhibition hall and ornamental tree collection. As a valued asset to Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego is also an educational resource to the community, providing a variety of seminars, classes and workshops as well as accredited horticultural classes. The Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego is proud to present a remarkable exhibition of a private collection of Japanese artifacts from around the world.

The latest renovation project, designed by landscape architect Takeo Uesugi, added a Tea Pavilion, Activity Center, and Koi Pond.The Garden was re-opened in September 1999 and sits on a new site that covers 2 acres of it’s 11 acre land.