Japanese Friendship Garden

12/07/2022

Setsubun is back on February 3, 2023! 👹 JFG is looking for vendors and performers, space is limited. More information is available at www.niwa.org/setsubun

11/22/2022

JFG Holiday Hours 🍂🍁

11/21/2022

Exciting News! 🌸The Japanese Friendship Garden wants YOU to create the 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival design! 🌸 The contest winner’s design will be featured on all 2023 Cherry Blossom merchandise, including but not limited to t-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers. JFG loves celebrating hanami with the community and is excited to highlight an artist at it’s largest annual event. Submission Deadline: December 18, 2022 at 3pm PST. Apply at www.niwa.org/cbcontest

11/16/2022

We are pleased to announce "Yoh no Bi" Bizen Pottery, a pop-up pottery exhibit by Hiroyuki Matsui. The exhibition will run from November 15th to November 21st. The Japanese Bizen potter, Hiroyuki Matsui will be on-site to give gallery talks. Head to www.niwa.org/exhibitions to learn more and register!

11/06/2022

NEW EXHIBIT! JFG presents an exhibition of Japanese multimedia by Osaka born artist, Junko Iwasa. Join the artist for a gallery talk on Nov 11th (1:00pm-1:30pm). To sign up for Junko Iwasa's Japanese Wreath Making class, go to www.niwa.org/exhibitions. For more details and admission head to www.niwa.org.

10/27/2022

❄️MARK YOUR CALENDARS❄️ The annual JFG Holiday Market is right around the corner! On November 12th come find the perfect gift from one of 15 vendors and enjoy delicious food from 6 different food booths!! We can’t wait to see you there! More info at www.niwa.org

10/25/2022

🌸New JFG Koi Plushie🌸 Say hello to the newest member of our koi fish family! This plushie is inspired by our beloved koi fish and famous Cherry Blossoms! Get yours exclusively at the JFG Gift Shop or online at www.niwa.org.

10/24/2022

Garden Snapshots! 🌱🍃 It was a beautiful weekend at the garden! We hope to see you soon!

08/14/2022

Konnichiwa! JFG's new after school program. Give your child the opportunity to learn the different aspects of Japanese culture. From origami to kamishibai and crafts to wellness, this program has something for everyone! Grades 1-5 & Grades 6-12. Sign-up at www.niwa.org

07/14/2022

The Japanese Friendship Garden and Fangaea Con invite you to OTAKU SMASH NIGHT!!! This 21+ ticketed party will be taking place on Friday, September 2, at the Japanese Friendship Garden! OTAKU SMASH NIGHT welcomes all of our guests to express themselves at this inaugural event, shining a light on the art of Japanese pop-culture! We will have special performances by taiko and by Mochi Maid Cafe! Enter the cosplay contest and win incredible prizes - including tickets to Fangaea 2023, special Japanese inspired prizes, and tickets to this fall's return of the San Diego Ramen Festival! There will be delectable snacks and treats, Japanese sake, and DJs performing live for you to dance! Come with your friends or make new ones at the first ever OTAKU SMASH NIGHT!!!
Tickets available at https://www.niwa.org/otaku

07/12/2022

2022 TORO NAGASHI FESTIVAL! 10AM-6PM ON AUGUST 5TH & 6TH! Enjoy the Japanese custom Toro Nagashi, the floating lantern celebration on Friday and Saturday. JFG will have various performances in addition to 9+ merchant booths for guests to enjoy. Food vendors will be serving in the lower garden and a beer & sake garden will be available in the upper garden exhibit hall on Saturday!

07/11/2022

Apply Today! The Genki Outreach Program will offer San Diego Unified School District students an opportunity to participate in a wellness program. The wellness program is a concept using the therapeutic benefits of a Japanese garden in promoting health and well-being. The Genki Outreach Program is offered at no cost. More info at: www.niwa.org/education

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06/21/2022

New Master Series Class! Raku Ware Master Potter: Kyosh*tsu Sasaki/ Shoraku Kiln will be available virtually on June 30th at 4pm. Register at niwa.org/artisans

05/12/2022

Garden Snapshots 🌿 It’s been a beautiful day to take a walk through the garden. Did you know the garden is open every day?! We hope to see you soon☀️

04/21/2022

Japanese Friendship Garden updated their business hours.

Japanese Friendship Garden updated their business hours.

04/17/2022

Join us for San Diego Resident Free-Tuesday to be immersed in Japanese culture as the garden hosts demonstrations, lectures & performances on April 19th! Hours: 10am-4pm. For details, www.niwa.org/jcd.

04/13/2022

The Big Exchange is Back! JFG members will have access to free general admission at more than 40 museums, historic sites, gardens and more. JFG will also be accepting members from any of the participating museums. More information at sandiegomuseumcouncil.org

04/07/2022

Did you know Coronado used to be home to a large Japanese Tea Garden? Learn more in a special lecture presented by Coronado Historical Association in partnership with the Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego and the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego. Hear from guest speaker Kendall Brown, Professor of Asian Art History in the Art Department at California State University, Long Beach. For tickets (and more about the upcoming screening of The Dragon Painter) go to www.coronadohistory.org.

03/29/2022

Let’s Make Miso Ramen! (Virtual Class) 🍜 Register online and learn how to make delicious ramen from the comfort of your home on April 1st. For more info and to register - www.niwa.org/ramen

03/27/2022

Master Series: Stone Lanterns & Mills by Taka Saida - Registration required. Learn about stone lanterns and hand-shaped stone mills used for matcha making. At the end of the class we invite you to enjoy a cup of tea paired with a snack. (www.niwa.org/artisans)

03/23/2022

Children’s Day is just around the corner! Join JFG on May 5th and enjoy kamishibai, performances, mochi & crafts. The event is from 10am-4pm. Sign-up for yukata dressing and compete in the chopstick challenge, hosted by Wa-Shokuiku! More information at www.niwa.org/childrens-day

03/22/2022

Are you a tea enthusiast? Register for INTRO TO JAPANESE TEA with instructor Sandra Toma. March 26th from 9am-11am (on-site). Prior registration is required. More information at www.niwa.org/programs

03/17/2022

Registration for 🌼 SUMMER CAMP 2022 ☀️ is now open! Head to www.niwa.org/summer-camp to learn more and sign up! Join us for activities like karate, ikebana, candy sushi, kamishibai and more!

03/17/2022

Master Series: Ichiju Sansai (One soup and three dishes) is tomorrow at 4pm! This is a virtual cooking class with Masayoshi Ozasa! Don’t miss out, register today at www.niwa.org/artisans

02/28/2022

The garden is in bloom! 🌸 Many pink blossoms have arrived and there will be more to come. Visit and enjoy a beautiful day in the garden. The Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on March 11th-13th. More information at www.niwa.org/cbw

01/11/2022

SETSUBUN 節分
Purchase your masu cups online and mark your calendars for Setsubun on February 2nd! Things to look forward to: Mamemaki, Eho-Rolls, Mochi, Taiko Drummers, Kamishibai & more. For more information and to sign up for Mamemaki, head to www.niwa.org/setsubun

01/09/2022

Join JFG for Resident Free-Tuesday on January 18th from 10am-4pm. The theme is sustainability 🌿🌱🌳♻️ Sustainable businesses like & will be present and fun kids activities will take place in the upper garden. Want to learn more about Bees? Visit Mari Jarvis’ table as she teachers the importance of bees and sustainability. We hope to see you there.

01/06/2022

Garden Snapshots 🍁🍃 A lovely January day. We hope to see you soon.

01/03/2022

New Year —> New Programs! Join us this JAN & FEB for some new and exciting programs! Start by exploring Japanese influence on fashion and then join us in person this February for a wonderful class on Japanese tea! Registration and more information can be found at www.niwa.org/programs

12/28/2021

Pre-Order your January CSA BOX at www.niwa.org/csa 🥦🥒🥕🍊🍎 Pick-up is JAN 25th. A huge thank you to for providing wonderful locally grown produce!

12/28/2021

The official JFG APP has arrived! Download to enjoy virtual tours, purchase tickets and more. The app is bilingual and also includes our plant map. Swipe right to learn how to download today!

12/27/2021

The official JFG APP has arrived! Download to enjoy virtual tours, purchase tickets and more. The app is multilingual and also includes a our plant map. Swipe right to learn how to download today!

12/27/2021

2022 Cherry Blossom Festival

We're looking for volunteers for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival! Sign-up to be apart of the fun! March 11th-13th, 2022.

We can't wait!

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/397033222702364076/false#/invitation

SignUp.com makes it easy to coordinate school events & classroom activities, fundraisers, snack schedules, potlucks & more!

12/27/2021

NUNO exhibit teaches the language of textiles

The full interview on the NUNO Exhibit will air next week on the Midday Edition.

A special thank you to KPBS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BklH3GuxKho

KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews the NUNO: The Language of Textiles exhibit at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. ...

12/27/2021

NUNO exhibit at Japanese Friendship Garden reveals language of textiles

A huge thank you to KPBS!
KPBS did a feature on the NUNO Exhibit located in the Inamori Pavilion.
If you haven't had a chance to see it, please check out the article below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BklH3GuxKho

See fabrics where "nature and tradition are woven with technology."

12/20/2021

Upcoming Holiday Hours! We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

12/19/2021

DEC 21 | Free Tuesday Wellness Day 🍎💉☀️💐 Don’t miss your chance to participate in free programming, kids activities and vaccinations. will be available from 11am-3pm for free Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters. Looking to get a flu shot? Flu vaccinations will also be available. Make sure to say hello to they will be available for questions. .and.back has created an amazing pandemic timeline that is worth seeing. Check it all out on December 21st - Resident Free Tuesday.

12/08/2021

DEC 21 | Free Tuesday Wellness Day 🍎💉☀️💐 Don’t miss your chance to participate in free programming, kids activities and vaccinations. will be available from 11am-3pm for free Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters. Looking to get a flu shot? Flu vaccinations will also be available. Make sure to say hello to they will be available for questions. .and.back has created an amazing pandemic timeline that is worth seeing. Check it all out on December 21st - Resident Free Tuesday.

12/02/2021

Did you know you can get one of our NEW KOI PLUSIES when you sponsor a JFG koi fish?! Not only will you get to name the koi fish, you'll also receive updates on how your koi is doing!

Head to www.niwa.org/adopt-a-koi to sponsor a koi today!

12/02/2021

KOI PLUSHIES HAVE ARRIVED!🎏⚠️😍 We’re so excited to introduce you to the newest addition of our JFG family! Our koi fish are the jewels of the garden and we see how much our guests and members share that love for them, so we decided to create a koi you can take home! These soft and vibrant koi plushies are the perfect size and great for all ages. The JFG staff and koi thank you for all of your support and hope to continue being a safe and zen garden for all to enjoy.