Really cool little garden. Was under construction when we went, appears they're adding a large water feature. Cherry blossoms were blooming, great site to see. Grounds were very well taken care of. Definitely worth a visit. If you find my review helpful, please click like.

One of my favorite places in Balboa Park. Have walked by it many times and was blown away by how big the garden is once you're inside. The beautifully landscaped terrain takes advantage of the natural slopes within the area. So many beautiful plants and flowers. Pro tip: take a few moments to sit and read the program info before you walk through, it will help you to appreciate all of the details and planning that goes into this special place. It is a lot of walking, but there are nice gravel sloped paths for those who can't do stairs. Can't wait to return!

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.

Spend 1-4 hours to see the many wonderful plants and exhibits. We enjoyed the exhibits and learning a bit of history. You'll do a bit of walking, but it is manageable. Grab a seat on one of the many benches and simply enjoy the tranquility.

This is the first time my friend and I went in to Japanese friendship Garden who is so happy that it is open again after 2 long years. They are doing a lot of building here and making the place even better and more Serene than ever. There will be more waterfalls and hopefully more entertainment if you are a member. The garden is free to locals every third Tuesday otherwise it's $12 for adults, $10 for students and children under 3 is free.

This is a nice, quiet place in Balboa Park to spend an hour or so. My husband can spend hours here, whereas I am ready to go after about 40 minutes. It's pretty with trees, plants, a running stream and waterfall, a pond with Koi fish, lots of seating throughout, and a scavenger hunt for the kids... I do wish there were more flowers and stone work. $14 general admission, $12 for military, seniors, and children, and free for 6 and under.

Beautiful place. More than words can say. You have to experience it. Walk thru slow and just focus in the path your on and you will see beauty all around you

Well worth the small price of admission. Very nice buildings set in a beautiful environment. The setting slopes down to a gully...getting down is easy, getting up could be exerting for some people. There is a wheel chair path that offers a more gentle slope. I wish they could have labeled some more of the trees and plants. Just a thought.

First time to this place and I fell in love 😍 it was only 12 bucks per adult which I think is a fair price. Walking into this place and it's just relaxing. They have an art gallery which is mask mandatory. It over looks a rock garden. This place is bigger than it looks. There are alot of cool statues. Several bridges for wheel chair accessibility. The environment is peaceful. I would love to come back in cherry blossom season. I know it would look even more beautiful ❤️ if you enjoy peace and relaxation, I suggest coming here. Especially with you loved one.

Beautiful place! Please learn about Japanese gardens before coming with a set of expectations not being fulfilled. This culture is so beautiful in many ways. At the entrance, there is a public cafe that serves the sweetest red bean desserts and the freshest Japanese teas. In the past I have tried lavender and cherry blossom teas, two of my favorite and unique iced teas I have only had here. This is definitely a unique, beautiful, cultural and peaceful experience. I love coming back to find something new either within the park or within myself. Thank you❤️

Very cool place to visit. My wife has always wanted to come here and we decided to finally make the trip to check it out. It's a lot bigger than I expected and was very cool to just relax and walk around. We will be back when the cherry blossoms are in season. If you on the fence I say come and check it out for sure.

A great place to stop by while in San Diego. We went on a day trip and it was very pretty. We had a stroller and it was easy to get around with it and baby had a blast (no pun intended) with diaper changes under all the trees! Very pretty, charming place with butterflies everywhere. There’s a pretty creek at the bottom that’s a nice picturesque spot. Lots of places to sit too! Parking was very full and people don’t know how to park. Otherwise 10/10!

Beautiful Japanese Gardens. Replicates the Japanese garden very well. In a small canyon at Balboa Park, providing the illusion at the bottom that you are in another world. Balboa is still there along the ridge line, but the beauty surpasses the other areas in Balboa Park. Went as the Cherry Blossoms were beginning to bloom. Phenomenal beauty! A lot of paths were “temporarily” closed or under construction (I get the impression that it was more permanent than temporary), but you could still see the vast majority of the gardens. The tranquil beauty is accented by streams and waterfalls, providing almost a micro climate in the middle of San Diego. The entrance price point is fairly good per person, but a bit steep for families. Best to obtain the Balboa Explorer pass to make it more affordable if you’re in a large family. Otherwise, it’s a price to pay for some respite in a busy city. The gardens do get a bit crowded however. Although very peaceful, it’s still a bit chaotic during high traffic times. Best to pick low traffic hours if maximum tranquility is your goal. Although the paths are mostly packed gravel, they are clean and neat and we had no issues getting all the way down and back up with a single-wide stroller. Path only wide enough for one stroller or wheelchair at a time in most places. ADA compliant as far as I can tell.

GORGEOUS garden with reasonable ticket costs! ($14 at the time i went) there are many places to sit. This is a great place to visit wether you only have 20 min of time or 2 hours to kill. Great place to journal, soak up some sun, observe nature, and get fresh air. There are bathrooms, sometimes the like can be long. It’s seemingly wheelchair accessible

So peaceful & beautiful, lots of learning opportunities on Japanese culture too. Before you enter there is a tea house with amazing options and inside there is a gift shop with many beautiful items specific to Japanese culture. There are plenty of signs and places to stop and learn; there are koi fish, a bunch of different plants, small critters, flowers, streams, etc. definitely be mindful of the culture, it’s a quiet place where people often go to be alone and relax or meditate. I recommend going. Plus in February it’s half priced because of museum month in San Diego!

Very beautiful place to visit and relax. Many beautiful plants from bamboos, banzai plants and many others. Beautiful statues, bridges, zen garden and koi ponds. There's even a little calligraphy house with all kinds of scripture. My fiancee and I visited today and found it very peaceful and everybody visiting seemed very respectful so it was a very relaxing journey through this Japanese friendship garden. There's a little bit of hiking that goes down to the lower garden area but it's nothing that is too strenuous for the majority of people. They do have an ADA sign for paths as well. You can park anywhere in Balboa Park that you typically would when visiting the park and walk over. You can buy tickets where you enter and there's even a tea pavilion on the outside that serves many different teas, a few soups and meals as well. We did not try any of the food but it does look good. Whether you are local or visiting from afar I recommend if you are going to Balboa Park that you do stop by this Japanese friendship garden. It is very beautiful and well-kept.

Beautiful landscape, great for family and even had ADA accessible walkways to the lower garden. Can get a bit busy, but most people are polite and courteous of others. I took my children and they loved it! It also served as a lovely backdrop for family photos.

Perfect day for a stroll. I found myself at this garden. $14 cover. Beautiful stroll in the garden filled with lush greenery, waterfalls, art & ample shade. Would definitely come again.... especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

This place was so beautiful and calm and relaxing. It was worth every penny. Very beautiful. It is a long walk and a bit of a hike so wear comfortable shoes. All the smells of the jasmine and the tranquility. I will come here again. Since the weather is almost always nice IDT a visit any time will be an issue but a hot day will require a hat and some water. Stop to enjoy the beauty, the design and the peacefulness of this garden

Beautiful place to visit. The walk is not long and has stroller and wheelchair accessibility. There are bathrooms here. We didn't have to wear a mask. There are plenty of benches along the path if you need to stop for a rest or would like to sit and enjoy the views. I saw 2 ponds and several small waterfalls. I loved looking at the bonsai trees. There are so many different types of them. The Goddess of Mercy and Compassion statue was my favorite. It cost $12 for adults to get in $10 for students & 65 years or older, children under 3 are free. I'd love to come back for another visit when the cherry blossom trees are blooming. I'll bet the smell is amazing and the trees would be gorgeous. Thank you Japanese Friendship Garden for the lovely visit.

The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum is a beautiful Garden within the San Diego Balboa Park. It is a beautiful garden that may take you from one to one and a half hours of your time. They have a Zen Rock Garden along with some beautiful paintings, tons of water falls and Koi ponds. The garden is a welcome break and a great place to relax on a beautiful day in San Diego. Well worth a part of your visit to Balboa Park.

Very unfriendly woman at the entrance taking fees, a lot of areas are closed, so very limited. Kind of a waste of money right now till fully opened.

$12 entrance fee but definitely worth it! It gets extremely busy on the weekends so I would recommend visiting through the week if possible. So many amazing views and picture taking opportunities within! Also offer yoga and meditation classes in the mornings

Beautiful place and lots of interesting things to read along the way. I went during Covid so some of the buildings were close but the open space was beautiful. I will say you can pretty much see everything in the garden via the overlook. Except there’s a waterfall section that you can’t. I don’t know that I would go back unless someone came to visit that really liked Japanese Gardens.

A piece of Japan in San Diego! ✨ It's always magical to visit this place and see how beautifully it is preserved. Every detail is unique, from each flower to the tiniest stone. I appreciate that the staff is always attentive to every visitor, providing explanations or tips to enhance your experience. I recently found out that it is pet-friendly 🐶✨ with proper restrictions from the owners to continue maintaining the space beautifully. 💕

It was ok.The trails were well groomed but had loose sand and gravel, which made walking a little unsure.The bonsai tree display was pretty cool. The plaques describing a few things were worn and unreadable or difficult to read. It would have been nice if there were more descriptions of the fauna. Over all its a peaceful calming place to wander.

Very beautiful and having just come back from Yokohama it was cool to learn about the relationship it has with San Diego. The entire garden is well maintained and clean. Could easily spend an hour or two walking through here!

Can't believe I have never taken the time to visit the Japanese friendship garden. I absolutely lobe this place. I went early to try and get as much time in the garden before it got too busy. It is a beautiful place. Had some time to myself up by the budha statue and when I turned around there was a hawk casually sitting at the edge of the waterfall. Everything about this place is amazing: the koi fish (much larger than I expected!), the pond, the waterfalls, the rock pathways across the water creak, the bridge and the last waterfall that ends in the pond at the bottom of the garden has a breathtaking view. Unfortunately I was too awstruck to take pictures; I was trying to take it all in. Must visit in San Diego! I mean it's in Balboa, how can't you?

Totally recommend this real secret garden. Not only a beautiful neatly done but also a peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy. Please wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and hat. Also bring water. There is so much to see, from Coy fish ponds, wandering streams, pretty greenery, Tea houses, rock gardens. Stone walkways over streams. Waterfalls.

This place is amazing! Gives you fresh and beautiful vibes! The scenery looks good, great place to visit if in sam Diego. They normally offer student discounts so thats good

What a great experience. We are a local resident and got to come for free on tuesday. So many great bonzi trees. Verizon atmosphere with a good amount of walking.

Beautiful and serene. This garden truly captures the beauty of Japan. The small galleries were nice and thoughtful as well. It was a very peaceful walk, even pushing a stroller. They even have a nice statue of Kannon Bosatsu which was unexpected but a fantastic touch.

I was so impressed with the Japanese Friendship Garden. If ever you are in San Diego visiting like myself, you have to see it!

Lovely respite from the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist attractions. I always love visiting Japanese Friendship Gardens in the cities I visit (wherever they have them, that is), as it’s so relaxing, and I love to see how they incorporate the local flora. It was beautiful, however there were a few places that could have been pruned and cleaned up better. Overall, a wonderful day.

It’s BEAUTIFUL!!!! We went on a Resident Free Tuesday and it just blew my mind. This place is so much bigger than it looks from the ticket booth. Once you go inside, you’re transported to a whole different world. It’s basically a nice paved walk through the whole garden. There are stairs, but there’s also a stroller/ wheelchair option!

I have lived in San Diego almost all my life and every time I have gone to Balboa Park, I have never been to the Japanese friendship garden until 2 weeks ago. I was amazed at how peaceful and beautiful it is in there. I think that's one of my new favorite places in the park! Wish I had taken more pictures, especially of the koi and bonsai trees!

Located within the iconic Balboa Park in San Diego, the Japanese friendship garden offers a serene break from the hustle and bustle of Southern California life. Immediately upon entering you feel a sense of calm and are surrounded by beauty and quiet. Koi ponds, zen garden, traveling art, and bonsai trees all help create the atmosphere and ambiance.

This has quickly become one of my most favorite places in San Diego. The garden is beautiful, serene, and renewing. I am in love with it and hope to continue to visit it over the years. Their membership is very reasonably priced! Definitely a must see place to enjoy quiet time when the rush of daily life overwhelms you.

I think I have higher expectations about the place. I it is an okay garden but lacking explanations about the plants/techniques, the koi ponds are pretty dirty and I don’t see much about the special Japanese plantations. The bonsai garden is good but kind of small. I would recommended the Japanese garden in San Francisco a lot more than this. Still an ok place but Would not worth $12 ticket per person in my mind.

Great ambiance and perfect place to walk around while exploring Japanese heritage and history. Beautiful scenery and opportunities for pictures

Absolutely gorgeous and peaceful garden. A perfect spot to escape the crowded city.

Definitely the best attraction at Balboa park. The best waterfalls. The beauty and quietness of this extraordinary Zen place.

Recommend you get the pass which includes this park. Looks like it's expanding too. $12 normal entrance fee.

One of so many beautiful places to visit at Balboa Park. It's just gorgeous. Is not free though. You have to pay about 15dlls entrance and for photo shoots extra 50dlls 1hr. Permit, Tuesday use to be free not sure if it's still like that however, I love this garden 😍

This place was spectacular. I was a little put off by the price tag but I didn't realize there is a whole upper and lower area to the garden. There are a few building on the property as well as viewing areas. There are even ada paths for people who need them. It would probably take 1-2 hours to properly stroll around the entire garden. There are water features and interesting Japanese species of plants and an entire bonsai garden.

This is a beautiful place, with outstanding grounds! Koi ponds, Japanese architecture, bonsai trees, and tasty food all combine for a lovely cultural experience! It is also free one day a month! Be sure to take the shuttle from the outlying parking lots. You are dropped off in the middle of the park, an easy walk to The Garden.

Absolutely adorable natural park within the city. The little tea house in the front is worth waiting in line for, they have authentic Asian teas and snacks. The park inside is fairly large too and very peaceful, calming and quiet. Large enough to where you can leisurely stroll around for half a day. Definitely recommend for locals and tourists alike, especially in spring and fall! (Photos attached from fall)

So peaceful. Love the water features, koi ponds, exhibits, and the Buddha statue. Patio dining at the Tea Pavilion. Perfect!

Beautiful

Very relaxing place, many people kept their distance I wish there had been more sanitizer stations even though I carry my own. It was something fun to do during this Covid times. We got out and enjoyed every moment of it. I gave it a 4 because I wish there had been a little more for the kids to stay entertained.

Nice..place.

Very relaxing place, many people kept their distance I wish there had been more sanitizer stations even though I carry my own. It was something fun to do during this Covid times.

The Friendship Garden was fun to visit. My wife and I enjoyed a leisurely walk through and viewed the different plants and trees. It was very clean and well kept! Side note- the restrooms were amazing, especially compared to the nasty restrooms just outside of the entrance to the Friendship Garden.

(Translated by Google) Such a beautiful place. (Original) Lugar tan hermoso.

Great, even just to use tables for meal, while closed stand, view into Garden from Above, or Behind via trail below. From @BalboaPark Butterfly Garden, across from Natural Museum, El Prado Dr.

(Translated by Google) It is a very relaxing place to walk talk very beautiful and romantic if you like outdoor places it is perfect (Original) Es un lugar muy relajante para caminar platicar muy hermoso y romántico si te gustan los lugares al aire libre es perfecto

(Translated by Google) Mas Fina! (Original) Mas Fina!

Beautiful peaceful place to just go for a walk and see the different kind of flowers and flowers plants they have..

Comforting ambience

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place (Original) Bellisimo lugar

Very beautiful calm place, visit it with your family!!!

It’s a nice garden

Beautiful Japanese Garden with garden shop. One must pay to enter. Beautifully landscaped trails. It is downhill and then uphill, but doable for our group which had tweens, seniors, and a 5th grader. Would recommend. Visit the bonsai mini show garden = stunning.

Very serene and relaxing. Lots of areas to take beautiful pictures. Highly recommend. Just check my photos!

I could have stayed here all day. The tranquility in this place was a welcome reprieve from all of the hustling around we had been doing as tourists in this beautiful city. Pro Tip: Put your phone down and breathe. Enjoy the sounds, the sites, the smells - then take take your photos. The place is food for your soul if you only take a minute to live in the moments provided by this magnificent place.

I would recommend JRG to anyone wanting a truly peaceful, relaxing walk. The gardens are beautiful!

Nice place to visit when looking for calm and peaceful surroundings. Was allowed to reopen during pandemic as it's cultural site, though parts are still closed.

So beautiful. Well worth the $12.00 entrance fee !

Very cool place to stroll and learn about the Japanese culture. It's quite a large garden. I'd say it would take about an hour if you're walking fast and not really stopping to look around much. At the bottom of the garden, there's a little store with some Japanese snacks,drinks and souvenirs.

Weve been here long time ago, so much changes. One way trail, lots of people not wearing mask😬 the view of the garden was amazing. We went a little 3miles hike we got back then kids are exhausted 👍🏽Bring water, they have cafeteria for snacks & cold drinks open also the lower garden area. Highly recommended 👍🏽😷

It was so tranquil beautiful day for a nice walk through out many beautiful coy fish as well as a place to eat.. beautiful bonsai trees..

Horrible place..

$12.00 to get in adults, senior military price $10.00 very nice trails to walk. 11/16/20

Beautiful park. I love the koi ponds

Open now!

Absolutely gorgeous attraction, prefect date idea & well worth the entrance fee. They also have two shops, one outside restraunt & one inside that has japanese snacks & stuff, both places have great food.

It is a hidden treasure

Great place

Nice experience, me my wife and the kids had a great time i would recommend 👍

Great place! The garden is beautiful and atmosphere is calm. I came here with my family and we went back the next weekend. There’s a little gift shop that is surprisingly cheap. The gift shop sells traditional drinks and snacks as well as t-shirts, masks, keychains etc. There are public restrooms available that are clean and well-maintained.

Wasn't able to get in because we weren't ready for any entrance fee but still interested to come in the future. It looks and feels relaxing from outside. Would love to check out the inside to experience the beautiful place.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place . (Original) Hermoso lugar .

Lovely serene little gem in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Ducks are a cute and funny little bunch too. A nice stop for a break on a downtown bike ride.

Awesome. Great to take family

This place is a must visit for those looking for a quiet retreat - it has a wonderful collection of pathways, gardens and water features. In keeping with all Japanese gardens it has a calming aura and a very special energy! Definitely worth a visit and a very reasonable Entrance Fee.

Simply excellent. Yes- you have to pay to enter. But. They have to keep it immaculately clean! So worth it. My son was fascinated with bamboo fountains.Lovely slopes for kids to run along . beautiful statues. Excuisite koi ponds...

Wonderful gem in Balboa Park!

(Translated by Google) Beautiful (Original) Hermoso

disappointed nothing in it

Very small garden. Nothing special. Disappointment :(

There's an entrance fee and currently the only garden in Balboa Park that has one but I think it's worth it for how well maintained it is. Depending on the time of day the path can get crowded but if you're lucky to go when there's no traffic the place is very serene. Bonus tea shop at the end or start of the trip!

A beautiful and peaceful place to escape to for an hour or so. The last open place you can visit in Balboa Park during the Pandemic. I live nearby and look forward to my walks here.

Beautiful and peaceful.

What a gem that we found on our visit to Balboa Park. The gardens are well cared for and lush. The trails were clean and clear with lots of places along the journey to step off to enjoy a moment of quiet contemplation. Highlights included the Koi ponds, statues, and the bonsai trees throughout the canyon. The entry fee would normally seem high, but we were able to enjoy the gardens as a part of a ticket bundle, making it great value for our trek.