Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a landscaped space within Kelley Park that features ponds, stone bridges, pruned trees, and winding pathways. The layout follows traditional Japanese garden design with distinct zones created through careful arrangement of water, stones, and plants.

The garden originated from a sister city partnership between San Jose and Okayama, Japan, established to symbolize the bond between both cities. This relationship brought the Japanese garden design tradition to California.

The garden brings together Japanese design ideas with plants from California, creating a space where two horticultural traditions meet and coexist. Walking through it, visitors can see how this blend shapes the way the garden looks and feels.

The garden is located within Kelley Park and can be reached through the park's main access points. Plan your visit during warmer months when the plants are most full and the water features are most active.

The garden features koi fish swimming in its ponds, adding living color and movement to the peaceful water features. These decorative fish are central to Japanese gardening tradition and draw the eye as they glide beneath the stone bridges.

Location: San Jose

Part of: Kelley Park

GPS coordinates: 37.32222,-121.86111

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:09