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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden, located in Balboa Park of San Diego, California, originated as a tea house during the 1915-1916 Panama-California exposition.  It was named San-Ker-En in honor of the San-Ker-En garden in Yokohama, Japan. As the name implies, it is a token of friendship between our two countries.

The name, "San-Ker-En" means "three scene garden."  Those three scenes are water, pastoral, and mountain.
As visitors walk along the two acres of winding paths, they will see a Zen garden, an exhibit house, a bonsai exhibit, and the main focal point, a koi pond, stocked with several nice-sized koi.


  If you have a little time, there are some really interesting weekend classes available here.  These include sushi making, calligraphy, and conversational Japanese.

The garden is open  Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  The last admission is at 3:30.  Cost of admission is $4.00 for adults.

One last thing:  I am a guest at Virginia Wright's blog today. There's a chance for you to win a free copy of my book, That Mama is a Grouch.  Please stop by and visit!
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10 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 26, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Sushi making? I'd try that.

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    1. Sherry EllisAugust 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM

      I'd love to do that, too. Unfortunately, when we visited this place, we didn't have time for the class.

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  2. JoanneAugust 26, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    I love to stand and watch koi swim around. So colorful.

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    1. Sherry EllisAugust 29, 2012 at 10:22 AM

      Me too. I love ponds with any kind of fish swimming around!

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  3. Elle SeesAugust 27, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    so many cities i've visited have the friendship gardens.

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    1. Sherry EllisAugust 29, 2012 at 10:23 AM

      Yes. There were actually several friendship gardens in California.

      Delete
  4. Robyn Proctor August 27, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    very cool and classes too!!!

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    1. Sherry EllisAugust 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM

      I really like the idea of the classes. Unfortunately, my family and I didn't have time for any classes when we visited.

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  5. AnonymousAugust 28, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    Sounds like a beautiful garden. I've tried to teach myself how to do calligraphy. I'd be happy to take a class and try to learn how to do it correctly.

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    1. Sherry EllisAugust 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM

      I remember doing caligraphy in the fifth grade. I've never tried to do it since.

      Delete