This beautiful entrance arch points the way to the Ikeda Japanese Garden, on the waterfront in downtown Penticton. Created in honour of a sister city relationship between Penticton and the city of Ikeda, Japan, Ikeda Japanese Garden provides a peaceful setting.
This is a beautiful Japanese Garden in which we enjoyed our visit. It features traditional trees and flowers, a pond with koi and a unique sculpture. There are several Ishidoro (Japanese Stone Lanterns) throughout the garden as well as several plaques and dedicated benches.
As you enter the Ikeda Japanese Garden there is a kiosk with information about local trails for locals and visitors. If you continue to the east entrance there are, further down the path, examples of Xeriscape with information and examples of trees and other plants. The plantings are quite colourful in the fall.
During the 1992 visit to Japan, the idea of establishing an Ikeda Japanese Garden in Penticton was initiated. During the Ikeda delegation's visit in 1993, newly elected Mayor Kazuo Oishi presented us with a set of high quality conceptual plans. The site proposed was the parcel of land just north of the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan. In 1995 the Ikeda Sister City Society made the first garden fund donation of about $500. This was followed by a major contribution of close to $6,000 by the Ikeda delegation in 1997. Since that time generous donations have been and continue to be received from individuals, companies and organizations, such as the Soroptimist club. Mayor Beth Campbell and Ikeda Deputy Mayor Koichi Saito took part in the sod turning ceremony signifying the actual start of construction during the 1997 Ikeda delegation visit.
Construction of the major components of the garden commenced in February 2003. The Penticton-Ikeda Japanese Garden can be booked for weddings or other events for a fee of $125.00.
Read more at Penticton Ikeda