Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden in San Jose was established in 1965 as a symbol of the city's friendship with Okayama, Japan, which is San Jose's sister city. It's close to the town's center, near Kelley Park and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. The garden's tranquil settings are easily accessible from its central location.

Japanese bridges, waterfalls, and a community teahouse are among the park's outstanding architectural features. The Japanese garden is a favorite place for photographers, though commercial photography requires a permit. The Japanese Friendship Garden, including the beautiful Koi Pond, was devastated by the Coyote Creek floods in 2017. Although the large koi pond is empty, the garden is still open as of 2022 and is still beautifully landscaped. Until the necessary filtration systems are installed, the park's fish are housed in a smaller pond on-site.