Japanese Friendship Garden

Introduction

The Japanese Friendship Garden is located within Kelley Park in downtown San Jose, California, a Japanese-style garden jointly created by San Jose and its Japanese sister city Okayama to symbolize their friendship. First established in 1965 and expanded multiple times since, the garden features classic Japanese landscape elements including waterfalls, koi ponds, stone lanterns, a tea house, and arched bridges spanning the water. Seasonal flowers bloom in rotation throughout the year, with cherry blossoms, wisteria, maple leaves, and plum blossoms each taking their turn. Strolling along the winding stone paths, visitors hear the gentle murmur of streams and watch koi glide through the water, feeling transported to a serene Kyoto courtyard. The garden is not only an urban oasis for relaxation but also a popular venue for Japanese-style weddings and cultural events, carrying the deep friendship between two cities across the Pacific.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info