Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum

I took my grandma to the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, and she LOVED IT!!! ✨ The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful, both the staff and the visitors were so friendly, making our visit even more enjoyable. We chose to go on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, which is perfect for San Diego residents since they get in for free! The architecture and statues throughout were beautifully curated. It’s such a stunning spot—I can easily see it being used for photoshoots and special occasions. Highly recommend visiting this gem! 💎

Wonderful garden with many waterfalls and ponds. Do not miss the gift shop at the bottom of the hill. The Urushi exhibit was great. Free parking at the organ parking lot. Park at the north end and walk through the organ pavilion.

We came here for my birthday to Balboa Park and this Japanese friendship garden was beautiful. Expertly manicured with lots of walking and beautiful pictures to be taken. It wasn't crowded and everything was just gorgeous! The person working the front office / ticket booth was less than thrilled to be there... But it's all good We had a good time haha

Visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park was my first experience in a Japanese garden, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment I entered, I was struck by the serene and calming atmosphere that instantly made me feel at peace. The garden is beautifully laid out, with winding pathways that guide you through an enchanting landscape of meticulously pruned trees, lush greenery, and tranquil koi ponds. The traditional Japanese elements, like stone lanterns, wooden bridges, and the soothing sound of a waterfall, all contribute to the garden’s tranquil vibe. The koi pond, in particular, was a highlight, with its graceful fish adding to the sense of harmony and balance. As a first-time visitor to a Japanese garden, I was amazed by the attention to detail and the seamless blend of nature and design. This visit was not just a walk through a garden; it was an experience of peace and beauty that left a lasting impression. Whether you’re new to Japanese gardens like I was or a seasoned visitor, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a must-see in Balboa Park. It’s a perfect place to relax, reflect, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Beautiful place to spend a late afternoon. Got there around 4:45pm, but wish I had arrived 30 min or so sooner to get the full experience. They have ADA accessible paths. Wasn't too busy when I went (mid-week, Sept.) Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

Such a beautiful place to visit with the family. I will say that the tea and eat place by the entrance stop serving food at 3:30 even though it says 4:00pm ,that was the only thing that I didn't like, we drove hours to get there and where very hungry. We where told by staff that the cafeteria was closed and they where no longer serving food. But other than that come early so you could see all the other museums.

Nice calming trails through the bamboo forest, ponds and landscaping. Koi are abundant. A few Japanese traditional structures are open to explore. The gift shop at the bottom of the trail is one of these structures and is positioned in front of a waterfall. There are plenty of shaded benches available along the path. There is a $16 entry fee.

Spent a magical afternoon at the Japanese Friendship Garden with my love, surrounded by the vibrant hues of autumn. This place is perfect for everyone. The whole garden is a beautiful artwork. We spent an hour walking through admiring the balance of nature and man-made. Everyone was respectful of the culture and art, which I really appreciate. The artful balance of nature and design always inspires me. This place holds so many memories; I used to come here nearly nine years ago for photography inspiration. Every moment here brings peace and nostalgia. This time, there were stands selling food, jewelry, kokedama, and more. I picked up a kokedama for mom. It's truly my favorite spot in San Diego!

I took my grandma to the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, and she LOVED IT!!! ✨ The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful, both the staff and the visitors were so friendly, making our visit even more enjoyable. We chose to go on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, which is perfect for San Diego residents since they get in for free! The architecture and statues throughout were beautifully curated. It’s such a stunning spot—I can easily see it being used for photoshoots and special occasions. Highly recommend visiting this gem! 💎

Wonderful garden with many waterfalls and ponds. Do not miss the gift shop at the bottom of the hill. The Urushi exhibit was great. Free parking at the organ parking lot. Park at the north end and walk through the organ pavilion.

We came here for my birthday to Balboa Park and this Japanese friendship garden was beautiful. Expertly manicured with lots of walking and beautiful pictures to be taken. It wasn't crowded and everything was just gorgeous! The person working the front office / ticket booth was less than thrilled to be there... But it's all good We had a good time haha

Visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park was my first experience in a Japanese garden, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment I entered, I was struck by the serene and calming atmosphere that instantly made me feel at peace. The garden is beautifully laid out, with winding pathways that guide you through an enchanting landscape of meticulously pruned trees, lush greenery, and tranquil koi ponds. The traditional Japanese elements, like stone lanterns, wooden bridges, and the soothing sound of a waterfall, all contribute to the garden’s tranquil vibe. The koi pond, in particular, was a highlight, with its graceful fish adding to the sense of harmony and balance. As a first-time visitor to a Japanese garden, I was amazed by the attention to detail and the seamless blend of nature and design. This visit was not just a walk through a garden; it was an experience of peace and beauty that left a lasting impression. Whether you’re new to Japanese gardens like I was or a seasoned visitor, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a must-see in Balboa Park. It’s a perfect place to relax, reflect, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Beautiful place to spend a late afternoon. Got there around 4:45pm, but wish I had arrived 30 min or so sooner to get the full experience. They have ADA accessible paths. Wasn't too busy when I went (mid-week, Sept.) Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

Such a beautiful place to visit with the family. I will say that the tea and eat place by the entrance stop serving food at 3:30 even though it says 4:00pm ,that was the only thing that I didn't like, we drove hours to get there and where very hungry. We where told by staff that the cafeteria was closed and they where no longer serving food. But other than that come early so you could see all the other museums.

Nice calming trails through the bamboo forest, ponds and landscaping. Koi are abundant. A few Japanese traditional structures are open to explore. The gift shop at the bottom of the trail is one of these structures and is positioned in front of a waterfall. There are plenty of shaded benches available along the path. There is a $16 entry fee.

Spent a magical afternoon at the Japanese Friendship Garden with my love, surrounded by the vibrant hues of autumn. This place is perfect for everyone. The whole garden is a beautiful artwork. We spent an hour walking through admiring the balance of nature and man-made. Everyone was respectful of the culture and art, which I really appreciate. The artful balance of nature and design always inspires me. This place holds so many memories; I used to come here nearly nine years ago for photography inspiration. Every moment here brings peace and nostalgia. This time, there were stands selling food, jewelry, kokedama, and more. I picked up a kokedama for mom. It's truly my favorite spot in San Diego!

A very tranquil and enjoyable experience. From the koi pond to the beautiful streams and amazing scenery. Great family activity!

2 stars - "Could've been better" for sure. It's definitely not worth $16 to enter. It should be more around $5 or less. Student/Senior (65+)/Military is $14. Kids ages 6 and under are free. Daily 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Last admission 5:00 PM I've been to the Japanese Garden in San Francisco (really small) and Huntington Library in Pasadena; while, this San Diego garden is bigger, there's really not much to see. Other than the Koi pond/fishes, it's very underwhelming. Honestly, I was disappointed. The trees/bamboos at San Diego Zoo felt way more impressive than here. The paths are very narrow and a bit confusing as well. Overall, there wasn't much to see or have a real zen feeling. Maybe the highlight of the day here was seeing a random tuxedo cat just chilling at one of the paths. If you're visiting San Diego, you can honestly save your money and skip this place.

Beautiful so far, very small A lot of history which is fun but I feel like they could have done so much more with it. Being in such a beautiful climate there should be more to this garden and I wanted it to be larger with more details. Love the fish and love the water streaming with the cute spots to sit on the bench.

Beautiful garden and rolls all the way down. With a varied collection of bonsai trees. Learn about there culture as you walk thru the garden with multiple waterfall streams and sculptures and of course the cute mini bridges. Some amazing koi fish just living there best life. Please don't feed. There is a fee to get in but found it worth while. They do provide discounts for military, students and disability. So if ever at Balboa Park pass by and take a peak. We spent like a good 3 hours there just enjoying the beautiful of this peace spot.

Relaxing and beautiful. Grateful for this piece of art and nature available to the public.

Very beautiful, well-maintained, with nice walking paths. Be warned that on the San Diego resident free day, it gets extremely busy! I like getting an iced tea from their teahouse, but their food options aren't that great.

The Balboa Park Japanese Friendship Garden is a large green space with a few buildings featuring Japanese history and art. The garden has some flat and hilly places, but there are accessible ramps and low incline trails. There is also plenty of shade which is helpful for hot days. Even food at the tea shop & restaurant just outside the garden was decent! This is a great visit for locals and tourists alike.

Peaceful and beautiful. If you need a break from the constant noise and tons of people when visiting San Diego this is a great place to check out. It's right in Balboa Park, surrounded by all the museums and different things to do, but offers a much more relaxing feel. Walking through the gardens you are surrounded by different plants and flowers that just instantly relax you. The different buildings in the gardens house some very cool things. Right now they have the Kaga traditional craft exhibit. It's very interesting and beautiful. They also have an assortment of different bonsai trees that are fascinating. They are small and mighty little trees with big history. I really enjoyed my time here. Being able to meander through the gardens and enjoy a little bit of nature and watch the antics of the koi is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

One of the most beautiful gardens in San Diego located in Balboa Park. Parking is available outside the park and there are shuttles that will take you to the park. Be prepared to walk, wear CU for table shoes. So many spots within the gardens to take beautiful photos. They have a gift shop and places to eat while inside the gardens. Admission is discounted if you are a student.

I absolutely love the vibe. They have free admission for every 3rd Tuesday of the month (but it may be packed). There are multiple vendors from cute Japanese knick knacks to food down in the lower Pavillion, and a gift shop, etc. There is an upper a d lower garden, both sporting a pond with many fat and happy koi, which you're not allowed to touch or feed (duh, be respectful). The upper garden has a bonsai walk near the restrooms, but be prepared to wait in line as there are only two all-gender restrooms. The lower garden is much much larger and has a nice ADA trail walkway that is wide enough to fit a stroller and wheelchair side by side. Normally, there are at least a few food booths (especially on SD resident free Tuesday), and there are more restrooms with places to sit and eat and enjoy the view. The sheer volume of plants aids the walk from getting too hot during summer, but I'd still definitely wear sunscreen. In the springtime, I'd very much recommend visiting during the Japanese Cherry Blossom festival! Don't forget to wear your jinbeis or yukatas to keep with authenticity.

The garden was divided into a top and bottom part which gave off different vibes. The top had a bonsai garden, teahouse, and a little pond. It seemed more condensed and more like what I'm used to seeing at a Japanese garden. The bottom was much larger and spread out through paths to a pavilion which they used for events or activities, and two snack shops. It seemed like this is a popular place to rent out for private events. I thought there was a lot of walking to the lower level, it wasn't a big deal but keep in mind if going with someone that has trouble walking far. A couple things unique to this particular Japanese garden was the abundance plants not normally found like star jasmine, and honeysuckle. I've never seen that at a Japanese garden, it felt very SoCal. I also liked how planes were often landing in the background. That might break someone's sense of serenity, but I thought it was a unique addition. I just went for the Japanese garden but there was so much more at Balboa Park, I had no idea. You could spend most of the day here. For a list of other Japanese gardens around check out my list: https://bit.ly/3CLXWV9

Such a beautiful & peaceful place to explore. Great place to get your steps in $14 for adult admission. $12 for students & seniors. Open daily from 10am to 7pm, last admission is 6pm. Once you pay for your admission, there's a couple show rooms with artifacts and history along the way. It's pretty interesting. There's a gift shop at the bottom of the hill. Gift shop is abit overpriced but fun to look at the pieces they sell. They have restrooms for use.

Peaceful and serene... an awsome experience! This maze of a garden will soothe your soul. Lots of great scenery... from the koi pond with colorful fishes, bridges, statues, bonsai trees, gardens, flowers, etc... The Museum underwhelmed I felt, but the Garden was beautiful. If you find a spot on the grass to sit on and take in the beauty, don't worry, you are allowed to. You can sit and view the pond or people watch... this garden is your oyster. FYI: If you are a San Diego resident I believe it's free admission, otherwise if you're an outsider then it's $14 to get in.

A super pleasant experience. Everything was well maintained. The layout of the garden was also well thought out, making the whole walk really easy and enjoyable

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a beautiful garden in San Diego's Balboa Park, located 2 hours or so from LA. It has free parking with plenty of parking spaces. We parked in the handicap space which was close. There's a couple koi ponds with a small waterfall, lots of different trees, plants, flowers, and an upper and lower level. We came for the Cherry Blossom festival which was $14 which is the normal price as well. There was only a 7% bloom of the cherry blossoms but we were still able to see a good amount of them and they were beautiful. The festival had a variety of food booths, music and an activity area. My only con about the garden is the pathways. We had my sister in law with us who is special needs and we took her wheelchair. The roads going into the lower garden area were not very ADA accessible at all. The paths were quite narrow and almost on a gravel like path. It was tight at times going up and down and few times the wheelchair got stuck. We didn't stay to long in the gardens and it was mostly due to that fact. But they are beautiful and I hope to be back soon when I'm in the San Diego area.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a wonderful stop within Balboa Park. It's a peaceful, serene area that has walking paths, waterfalls, ponds, koi fish, bonsai trees, and cherry blossom trees that you can see when in bloom. There is a small gift shop near and plenty of chairs to relax and enjoy the scenic view. I highly recommend visiting if you're never been.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is such a gorgeous place to go for a stroll, meet up with friends, do yoga, or otherwise enjoy nature. There are a handful of well kept koi fish, bonsai tree areas, and well cared for plants of various varieties. It's such a hidden gem in San Diego/Balboa Park, I love visiting. They also have a tea shop attached to it. I highly recommend visiting!

FINALLY attended the Cherry Blossom Festival (always manage to forget until it's too late). I arrived at noon and it took 30 minutes to get inside from when I got into the line. People who managed to buy tickets online were able to skip the line altogether. They stop selling online tickets at 5 p.m. the day before the festival begins. Bloom is currently only at 7%, which equated to a small handful of trees with color. No petals floating on the wind or on the ground, but the garden is always worth a visit and the performances are worth entry. Food smelled good but the lines were LONG, so we did a sake tasting ($20) instead. I haven't been to the Japanese Friendship Garden in a long time and I was reminded how beautiful and calming it is. I'll go back later this month to see the blossoms in full bloom for sure and enjoy the garden without the crowds.

I have always loved Japanese culture. However, I have yet to visit Japan. Two trips planned, but both cancelled due to unusual circumstances. So, while waiting to try again, I am fortunate to have the Japanese Friendship Garden close to home. I recently attended Wellness Day at the gardens. It is scheduled one Tuesday per month and offers relaxing and healing activities such as; making a stress ball, participating in yoga and receiving a reiki session. The garden and museum are free to walk on this day as well. I highly recommend you visit if you have never been, as it is truly a gem in San Diego. They have programs and events regularly and a special gift shop to purchase authentic Japanese wares. I always stop for tea at the pavilion after touring. It is the best way to end the day. #JapaneseFriendshipGarden #SanDiego #TeaPavilion #WellnessDay

Beautiful views and luscious greenery surrounding the garden. There are many photo opportunities to enjoy with friends or loved ones. There is interesting history behind the creation of this lovely place. They had a huge Buddha and people left money in his hands. Lots of zen moments to relish here.

This place is so pretty and definitely worth visiting. If you can't visit Japan during the Cherry Blossom season (Somewhere between March and April), this place is probably one of the places to go if you live in Southern California. Or if you are into Japanese culture this is also a good place to visit and also to relax and take photos. It costs $14 for each person or $12 if you are a student.

The Cherry Blossom festival is in progress now. Spent a delightful morning exploring the Japanese Friendship museum last week. The cherry blossoms are just starting to bloom (they were only 7%) when we attended so I'm sure there will be a lot more this coming week. Even though there were just starting to bloom the beautiful gardens were a delight. They had special food booths and a number of merchants with some really cool stuff. It's worth checking out!

We had such a good time visiting here! It's a lot bigger than we expected. It's so beautiful, I wanted to take photos of everything.

The Friendship garden was a lovely space in Balboa park. Everything was well maintained and reminded me of the gardens in Japan. There were plenty of flowers, waterfalls and a beautiful koi pond while walking on the path. The path to the bottom had many steps and on an incline so may not be suitable for seniors that have issues walking. When you get to the bottom, there was a small exhibit next to the gift shop that showed Japanese traditions and Japanese food. Restrooms are plentiful throughout the garden. Parking is free and plentiful if you're willing to walk. There is a lot right across the street but can fill up easily on weekends. Adult tickets are $14 but if you go the month of February, it is half off.

Absolutely beautiful! The flowers and planes smell so sweet. The trail is tranquil. We really enjoyed our time here. Best to go early before it gets too hot. Take an umbrella

We stopped by here while in Balboa park. The admission is $14 for adults and $12 for students. The place seems somewhat newish with 2 small buildings, walking paths, and hardscaping with waterfalls and koi ponds. The round trip walking path starts on top of a hill and goes to the bottom to come back up where you start. Overall a nice garden but not sure it was worth price of admission

This costs $14 to enter. Honestly not worth the $14 unfortunately. Once we got inside it said 35% bloom which is disappointing to see. Obviously it's a business, I know they're not going to have that sign on the outside but we knew we weren't going to see much. The gardens were beautiful but very little bloom. Was able to take pictures of what we did see. They had some food trucks at the bottom which was a nice treat. They should have some signage once inside on how to exit though because that was kind of confusing and we kept hitting dead ends.

This place is nice! It's small but was lovely to visit while on vacation. It's clearly well maintained and visitors also do a good job following the rules and not trashing the garden. If you just stroll through at a casual pace, you can be done within half an hour. While I would recommend stopping by, I also want to let other service dog handlers know that staff sadly needs to be familiarized with ADA laws. The girl at the front asked me to provide "papers" (not required in any form) but could not tell me what papers it was that she wanted to see. I do carry a copy of my medical record but I don't like showing it to people because it says my diagnosis (unless at an airport, medical facility, etc). She really wanted to see something, so I gave her a copy of the law from the ADA website with the relevant parts highlighted. She gave me a weird look, didn't read any of it, gave it back to me and then just let us go. I am thankful that I was allowed in, but it was an uncomfortable experience with a queue behind me. I'd like to remind the staff here that service dogs come in all breeds and sizes, and that handlers are not always visibly disabled.

I had a nice experience at the garden but I'm not sure I would visit when it wasn't cherry blossom time. I really didn't feel there was a lot to see except for the blossoms. There was a nice koi pond, a few statues and some cool bonsai, one being 100 years old. I really feel the blossoms make this place.

Admission is $14 for an adult. Located in that Balboa Park area. I recommend going here on a weekday, that way it's easier to find parking and less people. Plan to spend an hour if you're taking your time or less. We spent an hour walking around and taking lots of pictures. I would only come here if you are already in the area. Place was clean and well maintained. They do have koi pond.

Beautiful garden and waterfalls. Kids enjoyed exploring and getting ice cream at the ice cream truck inside. If you want to get a sense of the size of the garden, take a peek over the ledge next to the tea house.

Incredibly underwhelming and lame garden. Do not recommend anyone to waste their time here especially if it's their first time visiting SD.

Quaint garden . . . the path leads down to the bottom where there is a small body of water surrounded by cherry blossoms. Attempt to go during the spring when they are in bloom. There is a zen garden at the top along with a bonsai garden. Opposing end of the cherry blossoms is a building that has merch. Great place to sit back and meditate!

I came across an IG post about a cherry blossom festival held here and I had never been to Balboa Park in San Diego before. It was on the weekend of my birthday so it was a great opportunity to check it out. I bought tickets online and it was a seamless transaction which was valid on any of the 3 days the festival was being held. I was anticipating rain since it had been a gloomy week but luckily it had stopped by the time I arrived there! I also recalled the website stating the blossoms had 5% bloomed so I hoped they were in full bloom. To my delight they were all blooming and screamed "SPRING IS HERE"! The pathways are narrow so it was challenging to get around large crowds when everyone was trying to get a photo op with the cherry blossoms. I was more there for the garden and wasn't impressed with the food/merch vendors so I suggest coming on a weekday when it's less congested. Otherwise, it's beautiful anywhere you turn and the koi pond was a nice touch to the Japanese aesthetic. I'm happy I got to experience it nonetheless.

We had an afternoon free and decided to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden. Since it was during cherry blossom season, we were unable to buy tickets online and got them on the spot. This was a problem - and I loved that their website told you exactly how peak the bloom was. Unfortunately, they were only at 7% bloom, but we got to see one or two trees and walk around the beautiful gardens. They also had little stalls selling all sorts of goodies - one of which was a matcha shop my sister had wanted me to get her something from, so it felt like fate! The Gardens are beautiful and a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors.

It's always a refreshing, zen like atmosphere in the garden. It's nice to see that they have opened up some new areas that they were previously constructing. Camelias are in bloom. Btw, this garden is part of the Horticulture network of botanic gardens that you can get in for free if you have membership to one of them. IG: @grace.loves.adventures

We were super excited to visit this Japanese Garden but were kind of let down by the experience. The garden was much smaller than we expected, and while the different gardens were pretty, I think we were expecting more based on other Japanese gardens we had been to in the past. Definitely underwhelming. There was construction going on while we were there that limited some of our access to areas, and we wanted to stop at their Tea Pavilion when we were done but they weren't open despite the hours on their sign (as well as online) saying that they were supposed to be open. So that was a little disappointing as well. We went right before the cherry blossoms, so I imagine it would've been better if we had made it during that time, however, the cherry blossoms are not out most of the year. Parking isn't too bad, you'll just have to park a little bit away as Balboa Park is pretty large.

I loooove cherry blossoms! I went to Japan in 2018 just to see them. I came here to get a little nostalgic and just take in their beauty. The trees were all in bloom so the experience was wonderful. The garden is a bit too small but it was still great to walk around and see the trees and the price to get in is not expensive. I recommend it and make sure you go when the trees are in bloom .

Accessibility: this place isn't as accessible as it seems or they claim. The pathways to get everywhere are extremely narrow, not at all wide enough for wheelchairs and people walking at the same time to pass each other, and very little room for wheelchairs to go around corners on the paths (which are made of tightly packed dirt and rocks, by the way). Experience: Honestly, this place was underwhelming. Much smaller than I thought it would be, not pretty any season other than spring, and there was no educational information anywhere...I was hoping to learn a lot more about Japanese culture and all I did was see plants not in bloom, rocks, a few beautiful sculptures, and grass. I also expected all the plants here to be from Japan, or at least most of them, and this was not the case. Maybe if I came during spring I would enjoy it more, but it was overcrowded in February, so I cannot even imagine how bad it gets in Springtime.

This review is for the weekend of March 25-26, 2023. The Cherry Blossom Festival was 2 weeks ago, but I did not come because I had read reviews that the line was super long during the festival weekend. I scoured the internet to see if the cherry blossoms were still in bloom 2 weeks later (The Japanese Garden website had stopped tracking the percentage of blooms), but could not verify anything. So future cherry blossom seekers who are viewing my review, check out my photos for the amount of blossoms available at this time! There are areas in which you can definitely see and smell the cherry blossom trees; also many areas where I think the blossoms all fell off. There is definitely other photo-worthy flora though. Parking: There is a parking lot off President's Way that advertised availability of a shuttle. I thought, why would anyone park down here and wait for a shuttle when there are plenty of open lots inside? I parked in the lot that is closest to the Garden. When I was trying to leave though, it was SO HARD to get out of the parking lot because three different lanes are trying to leave while cars are trying to come in. So if I were to come to Balboa park again, I would park in one of the farther, less popular, parking lots. And I suppose if I wanted the novelty of riding the train/shuttle, I can park at the lot just outside the entrance. $14 for two adults ($12 is for students/military/senior). The Garden opens at $10AM. We bought tickets online. I arrived around 1030AM and the line was long, but moved fairly quickly. I quickly showed my emailed ticket bar codes to the gatekeeper and entered after a few seconds of scanning.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is located inside Balboa park. It requires special admission.General admission $14 per adult. The Garden doesn't allow food, but you can bring water bottle with you. They have also a couple of food trucks inside and a restaurant just outside the garden in case if you feel hungry. This garden is a nice place to exercise but also to enjoy nature and have tranquility. There are many water falls across the garden as well as multiple ponds. The sound of waterfall  with the green nature around you and the smell of flowers, in addition to the numerous beautiful Koi in every ponds are a great source of joy and tranquility which you will experience throughout the time you will spend in the garden. The paths are mostly paved and there are routes that are handicap-accessible There are many seating available across the garden if you want to relax or meditate. The Garden is a nice place for weddings or for different events.  So, it is better to call in advance if you are planning to visit the garden to see if it is reserved for certain event

While planning a trip to San Diego to propose to the love of my life, I came across the Japanese Friendship Garden as a potential place to propose. After reviewing their website and speaking with their private event coordinator, Marina, I decided this was the perfect venue to propose. Marina was quick to reply, very professional and made me feel heard and valued. All things very important when planning one of the most important days of your life. Marina also understood the importance of discretion and helped me plan everything out in order to keep my now fiancée from finding out. The grounds were stunning and very private. At the recommendation of Marina, I hired a photographer who was very nice and respectful. Overall, it was an experience I will never forget and it wouldn't be possible without the Japanese Friendship Garden staff and site.

Always a fan of exploring new places and supporting the community. Balboa Park is amazing and beautiful and this garden is at the heart of the location. As mentioned by others it is a nice place but the $ price is a little much for how small the actual area is. The upper level could use a lot of work while the lower level where there is the pond and water features is pretty. The shop was closed but the bathrooms were clean. I would NOT go again, but it was a nice little walk.

This has by far been one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. There is a lot of walking & tons to see. Food carts were also at the very bottom with food, sweets, ice cream, & water. Water streams are throughout the walk. Walkways include seating areas. I have a pretty large stroller & was able to get around pretty well. Very tranquil. Next time, I'll try the restaurant at the entrance of the garden.

Peaceful, serene walk in a beautiful well manicured garden. A beautiful balance of the four elements.... It is a must while at Balboa Park.

Went to the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. In order to get into the park it took an hour. Took twenty minutes to park. I was finally glad to have made it inside, but then I saw the line. I was in line for an hour as the website was down. The actual garden itself is tiny. They were only 3 trees that I could see that were bloomed. There were more vendors than trees. Overall very disappointed.

San Diego and Yokohama, Japan have been first sister cities to each other since 1957.  The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park is an extension of the cultural exchange between the two cities as well as referencing the Japanese Tea House & Garden built for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915.  "After the Exposition, the city of San Diego no longer wanted responsibility of maintaining the Tea House & Garden so the Asakawa family was hired from 1914-1941."  The Asakawa's were accused of no crime, unconstitutionally encarcerated and sent to U.S. concentration camp in 1942 due to World War II "hysteria" with Japan. Consequently, the tea house & garden were destroyed. The Japanese  Friendship Garden is named 三渓園 San-Kei-En in Japanese which means "three valley garden" in Japanese. It is named after the three scenic landscapes celebrated in Japanese culture: water, pastoral and mountain.  There is the original San Kei En in Yokohama. The San Diego version is a hybrid of Japanese and local Socal drought adapted plants in a small valley so the garden paths meander in a slow decline going in.  Once past the pay entrance, flat path is flanked by lush plants similar to Japanese water loving plants leading to a small pavilion similar to a "tea house" displaying Japanese objets d'art with wonderful picture windows framing a classic Karesansui Zen Buddhist garden using strategically placed rocks, gravel, sand for contemplation.  There are Water features; fierce statue of Kongō Rikishi, Guardian of the Buddha; small Koi pond; exquisite Bonsai miniature trees Japanese & Californian Mediterranean climate plants surrounding this small pavilion.  Walk farther and there is a formal gate where the meandering declining path with plantings more appropriate for our dry Mediterranean climate show different natural landscapes to please the eye.  Looking down into the valley;  walking on bridges over dry & wet stream beds; encountering the statue of Kannon, Goddess of Mercy, who originally was  Avalokiteśvara in Indian Sanskrit.  He is a Bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. As his fame spread along with Buddhism, he became figuratively Trans female in various cultures. Nothing is new under the sun when it comes to human behavior.  At that bottom of the valley, there is a large pavilion with a gift shop surrounded by a large Koi pond witH Koi of unusual color and fins, and a vast garden. After this, you climb back up to conclude the visit to the Japanese garden.  The whole garden is meant to be taken in leisurely w/ contemplation and appreciation of growing things. Give at least an hour to mindfulness. Because of non-Japanese, drought resistant plantings, don't expect a "pure Japanese garden" experience. I appreciate the garden designers who had the foresight to anticipate climate change years ago.    4 stars

This is a beautiful garden to visit in spring,fall, or winter, not so mucj summer. Since you have to do a lot of walking you need to wear comfortable shoes( ladies NOT heels) If you visit cause you're on a date, bring shoes or take off your heels and walk barefoot. Bring water. I must say that the Koi fish are beautiful, especially the Gold ones! The Bonsai plants are stunning. There is a van/truck that sells ice cream, snow cones & drinks (we know how pricey that can be) anyways nice garden to visit

Had a fun date day with my best friend and we decided to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden as part of our itinerary! Definitely a busy place to be, as well as Balboa Park in general on the weekends - be prepared to wait in line and deal with parking chaos! - PARKING - Weekend rush is no joke - fortunately for us, we got lucky and found a spot in the Organ Pavillion lot, which I believe is the closest to the Japanese Friendship Garden entrance. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - You can buy your tickets ahead of time, or you can go to the booth where the entrance is. Either way, they will have to scan you in, so you have to wait in line regardless if you have a ticket already or not. Similar to the other reviews, this garden isn't necessarily the biggest in comparison to other places I've been to. The flowers and rivers are all very beautiful and serene, but if it gets busy, it's hard to walk through the pathways without bumping into people. - EXPERIENCE - $14 general admission, $12 student/military with ID. I liked how they had a little scavenger hunt sheet, which made the experience more interactive and seemed more engaging considering there wasn't too much to explore in general. Again, although the plant life and buildings are all very pretty, I can't say I would pay any more than what I did for what we experienced. - OVERALL - It was a nice place to finally visit, but I don't think I would come back again. Definitely a one-time experience, but still a solid one nonetheless.