A small placard accompanying the map model indicates it was made by "Glenn R. Johnson Scale Models" and that the scale is 1inch = 30 feet.
The model is located in a plastic case which makes it difficult to get good photos. It is inside the first pavilion visitors encounter when entering the Garden.
The Garden's website (
visit link) informs us:
"The Japanese Friendship Garden ("the Garden") is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. It illustrates two cultures and creates an immersive experience into Japanese culture. The Garden's design is based on centuries-old Japanese techniques adapted to San Diego's climate and florae and seeks to foster a relationship between humans and nature, providing a respite attuned to Japanese simplicity, serenity, and aestheticism.
The Garden sits on a 12-acre plot. It offers a variety of educational programs, exhibits, and festivals as well as accredited horticultural classes to enhance and deepen visitor appreciation for Japanese culture. As a valued community resource, it is well known for its unique setting, stone arrangements, koi ponds, water features, sukiya-style buildings and landscape.
The Japanese Friendship Garden was first opened in 1991. The second phase, opened in 1999, was designed by renowed landscape architect Takeo Uesugi. This phase added the Exhibit Hall, Activity Center, and Koi Pond. The third phase, completed in 2015, comprised 9 additional acres which included a 200 cherry tree grove, large azalea and camellia garden, a water feature reminiscent of the San Diego watershed, and the state of the art Inamori Pavilion.
Today, the Japanese Friendship Garden is visited annually by close to 100,000 people from all over United States and around the world. The Garden is our gift to the citizens of San Diego as we continue to provide the community with educational programs to foster better understanding of Japanese culture. We are thankful to the citizens of San Diego who have helped in throughout our development. We feel it is our responsibility to build upon this legacy and continue to promote friendship among diverse cultures.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is a member of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, a collaboration of 26 arts, science, and culture institutions in Balboa Park. By working together we produce major outcomes that no single organization could achieve alone. Benefits of our Partnership include:
Collective cost savings of $800,000 annually
Improved organizational performance and creation of new resources (knowledge, innovation, and networks)
New financial resources--since 2008 the Partnership has brought $4.2 million in new revenue to Balboa Park
Improved public accessibility and safety through capital improvements and ADA upgrades
Reduction of Balboa Park’s carbon footprint by 5.4 million kWhs and 91,000 therms annually, the equivalent of 110 homes.
Training of more than four thousand Park staff and volunteers to improve professional practice and visitor experience."
Regular Hours
10:00am-5:00pm (Monday - Friday)
Last admission at 4:00pm
Garden closes at 5:00pm
10:00am-4:30pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Last admission at 3:30pm
Garden closes at 4:30pm
Adults $12 $8
Senior (65+), Student, Military
(must show ID) $11
Children Under 6 FRE