Japanese Friendship Garden - Phoenix, Arizona
N 33° 27.650 W 112° 04.619
12S E 399916 N 3702895
Its other name is Ro Ho En, which symbolizes both Phoenix and Himeji, Japan. It is an authentic 3 1/2 acre Japanese Stroll Garden.
Waymark Code: WMBFJW
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 05/15/2011
Views: 16
This garden is a joint project of Phoenix, Arizona and their sister city, Himeji, Japan. The idea was first proposed in 1987. Himeji Gardening and Construction Contractors Association was formed with the express purpose to design and build this garden. More than 50 landscape architects from Himeji contributed to this project.
It features more than 1,500 tons of hand picked rock, stone footbridges, lanterns and more than 50 varieties of plants. Flowing streams, a 14-foot waterfall and a Koi pond with over 300 colorful Koi fish add to its beauty.
A mere $5 fee gets you inside the garden. To participate in the tea ceremony, you need reservations and an additional fee. The garden is open October to May. Specific dates vary. This garden seems to be complete as it is, but there are plans for still more features in this garden.
Some features in this garden:
The 5/8 acre pond is in the shape of kanji character kokoro "heart".
1,500 tons of rock handpicked from quarries near Jerome, Superior, Congress and Florence (all Arizona towns) line the stream beds, walking paths, lake shore and main lake waterfall. The largest boulder weighs 25 tons.
The garden is designed to be viewed from within, a style sometimes called "hide and reveal" because you can discover new visual compositions as you proceed throughout the garden.
The shishi odoshi is a water element traditionally used to frighten deer and wild boar from the garden.
The symbol for the garden is the shachi, a mythical fish with the face of a tiger. Images of these fish are traditionally placed on top of buildings. The statue in this garden is identical to the ones that grace the roof of Himeji Castle in Japan.
Various bridges and stone lanterns are representative of aspects of Japanese gardens. More information about these can be found at the garden.
Name: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, Arizona
Location (specific park it is located within): Margaret T. Hance Park
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Fees: yes
Designer: Himeji Gardening and Construction Contractors Association
Date of Creation: November 1996
Garden Website: http://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/
Parking Coordinates: N 33° 27.644 W 112° 04.492
|
Visit Instructions:
To help give a different perspective and to better the waymark for future visitors please tell us about your visit and upload a favorite photograph you took while visiting the garden. Although visiting this waymark in person is the only thing required of you to receive credit for your visit, taking the time to add this information is greatly appreciated.