Japanese Friendship Garden (Balboa Park)

Designed to call attention to San Diego and bolster the economy, the Exposition highlighted archaeological and anthropological displays as well as advertised the agricultural potential of the southwest.

One of the popular exhibits was a Japanese Teahouse built just north of the Botanical Building in an area that is now occupied by the Children's Zoo.

The Teahouse was a one-story building with an open veranda where visitors to the Exposition could sit, sip tea, and enjoy a garden landscaped in a manner few had seen other than from photos of Japan.

There was a Japanese Garden adjacent to the Teahouse which included plants, stone lanterns, bronze cranes, and a winding stream.

For nearly thirty years, the Teahouse and garden were operated and maintained by the Asakawa family, who continue to this day as active members of the San Diego community.

Though a symbol of the strong cultural and commercial ties that linked the two nations, the Teahouse and garden were eventually closed.

After the world exposition, the city was not going to pay to upkeep and maintain the garden so they looked for a Japanese couple to run the tea house.

Of my fondest memories of the tea house was one of peace; nice and quiet, surrounded by lush trees.

The gate was near the entrance to the 11 acres (4.5 ha) set aside in Balboa Park, the eventual construction and restoration site of a Japanese garden.

The study showed that support for the project was strong, so with the cooperation of Mayor Pete Wilson and the City of San Diego, the new Japanese Friendship Garden was under way.

The expansion was funded with support from members and a $3 million commitment from Dr. Kazuo Inamori, where they "began in early 2010 with creation of the dry waterfall, a connecting water feature, the dragon bridge, cherry tree grove, camellia and azalea garden, nursery, and a tea and herb garden.”[2] Additionally, the expansion allowed for more cultural events, programming, and community partnerships, such as the Cherry Blossom Festival,[3] Summer Camp program, and an Obon Festival.

This expansion was predicted to double the amount of annual visitors from the previous 100,000 and it is anticipated for the numbers to continue to climb.