Location: San Diego (Balboa Park)

Japanese Friendship Garden/Tea Pavilion050

in San Diego, CA 92101

Review

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Pan American Plaza East
San Diego, CA 92101United States

619.232.2721

http://www.niwa.org

Hours:Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Cost:Adults $4; Children, Seniors, Military $2.50

Ages:5 And Up

about Japanese Friendship Garden/Tea Pavilion:

Not a must for kids, but if you're visiting Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a nice spot to take a breather. You'll appreciate the calm of the well-tended pathways and bonsai trees. Your children will probably gravitate toward the giant koi pond in which swim scores of "living jewels," as the fish were called by the ancient Japanese.

Be sure to stop by the Tea Pavilion, which serves shaved ice and ice cream for the kids, and tea, sushi, and Japanese food for you.

A half-day summer camp, for kids in first through eighth grades, exposes the children to Japanese culture through crafts, games, language, food, and kimono dressing.

tips:

The cafe offers outdoor seating only; and it advertises itself as dog-friendly.

getting there:

From the North: take I-5 to Sassafras Street, turn left onto Laurel, take Laurel into Balboa Park. From the South: take I-5 to the Sixth Avenue exit, turn right onto Sixth Avenue, turn right onto Laurel, take Laurel into Balboa Park. From the East: take I-8 to 163. Go straight - you will be on 6th Avenue. Turn left on Laurel. Cross the bridge into Balboa Park. The Japanese Tea Garden is next to the Spreckles Organ Pavilion.