arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego

San Kei En

The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum (JFGM) is located in Balboa Park and represents the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Yokohama, Japan. It binds the two cultures to create a unique experience for visitors from all over the world. JFGM is considered in Japanese culture to be a living work of art and is designed to present an atmosphere of elegant simplicity and beauty. JFGM includes a bonsai exhibit, beautiful black pine trees, azaleas and ornamental plants such as camellias, magnolia, wisteria and cherry blossom trees, and the largest and oldest bronze Kannon statue in the USA.

2215 Pan American Way E
San Diego, CA 92101

Get Directions

Contact Info

(619) 232-2721
jfgsd@niwa.org

Hours

Daily: 10 AM to 5 PM

Social

Events to check out

Event

SETSUBUN

Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego
Feb 2, 2025

This event will take place inside the garden’s gates. We invite guests to make special oni masks, as well as participate in the Mamemaki, or bean tossing event. Special Masu cups filled with...

Event

Cherry Blossom Festival

Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego
Mar 13 - Mar 16, 2025

Join us from March 13-16 for an exciting lineup of special performances, featuring guest acts on March 15 and 16! Come see new attractions, including a wall of lanterns and community art. Bring the...

JFGM Features:

  • 280-year-old bronze Kannon statue
  • Shishi-odoshi (noise making fountain to scare away deer)
  • Tsukubai (small water basin for ritual cleansing)
  • Toro (Japanese stone lantern)
  • Bonsai (miniature plants grown in low sided pots)

JFGM Programs and Events:

  • Cherry Blossom Festival (March)
  • Summer Camp (July)
  • Tanabata Festival (July)
  • Toro Nagashi Festival (August)
  • Otaku Smash Fest (October)

More Information

  • Destination Weddings
  • Weddings
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Historic Landmark
  • Outdoor

JFGM Features:

  • 280-year-old bronze Kannon statue
  • Shishi-odoshi (noise making fountain to scare away deer)
  • Tsukubai (small water basin for ritual cleansing)
  • Toro (Japanese stone lantern)
  • Bonsai (miniature plants grown in low sided pots)
  • Fujidana (Japanese style wisteria arbor)

JFGM Programs and Events:

  • Cherry Blossom Festival (March)
  • Summer Camp (July)
  • Tanabata Festival (July)
  • Toro Nagashi Festival (August)
  • Otaku Smash Fest (October)
  • Morning Wellness Program (throughout the week)

More Information

  • Destination Weddings
  • Weddings
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Historic Landmark
  • Outdoor
  • General Admission - Adult
  • General Admission - Child
  • General Admission - Senior
  • Park Type: Gardens

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish