On 7/24/2015, the San Diego Union-Tribune (
visit link) reported the following story:
"Japanese garden traces origins to 1915 exhibition
By ALEXIS CORMIER | 5:49 p.m. July 24, 2015
San Diegans don't need to travel 6,000 miles to visit an authentic Japanese Zen garden.
The Japanese Friendship Garden, originating as a gift from San Diego's sister city, Yokohama, immerses visitors in Japanese culture. It also educates present and future generations about its heritage.
In celebration of the centennial of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the garden, which began as a tea house 100 years ago, has undergone major renovations. The 11.5-acre garden expanded down a canyon to create more trails of scenery, a pavilion and a stream that leads to a waterfall.
"People seem to like the newly expanded area," said Luanne Kanzawa, the garden's executive director. "I used to get complaints all the time about how small the garden was and now we don't get that anymore."
First-time visitor Alexandra Mathews described the new area as peaceful and immaculate.
"I really like the water features and the waterfall," she said. "It's so scenic and pretty."
Water has proved to be a popular attraction within the garden, especially the koi pond. Volunteers Charles and Carol Forman hand out fish pellets to children to feed the koi, which tends to generate a large crowd.
"The youngsters really get a kick out of it," said Charles Forman.
Despite all of the camera flashes and koi feeding, Kanzawa views the garden as much more than just a tourist destination.
"The garden is unique in a way that we are ethnically focused ... but at the same time, we are providing a garden where people can come and meditate and rejuvenate," Kanzawa said. "We receive a lot of visitors who have an illness or are going through depression and they come here to recover."
The garden stays true to its cultural origin, down to the finest detail.
"Everything in the garden has meaning, it's symbolic," she said. "The design of the garden is asymmetrical. It stimulates movement. Nothing is static. If there's some kind of movement, it engages human with nature, which is what we're trying to emphasize here."
This cultural exposure is what many people in San Diego come to experience.
"It's important for people to see different perspectives," said Matt Patrick, a regular visitor with his young son. "Cultures are different, but things that may seem as opposing can actually work together."
Added Alina Soroka, who attended for the first time with her 19-month-old daughter, Anorah: "You kind of forget you're in the city for a minute. It's a great learning experience for my daughter and other kids."
As the Japanese Friendship Garden thrives, Kanzawa hopes to preserve and spread the Japanese culture through nature, education and a peaceful attitude.
"The purpose is for people to appreciate the garden every step of the way," she said. "It's not just a regular garden where you appreciate the flowers and the greenery. It has meaning.""