Friends of San Jose Japanese Friendship Garden

2020-2021 Japanese Friendship Garden Rehabilitation Budget approved $80,000 ! In a June 8th memo from our Mayor, Sam Liccardo, he announced that the District 7 Councilmember Maya Esparza's budget document request for funds to help rehabilitate the Japanese Friendship Garden from the 2017 Flood damage was approved for $80,000 ! This will help to repair some of the breakage and other flood damaged areas of the Garden. It's a nice 55th Anniversary gift to the Garden! Y...ep, they opened in October 31, 1965, so this year it is 55 years! The two large projects, 2017 Flood Restoration of the TeaHouse, and 2017 Flood Restoration of the Koi Ponds are being handled separately. It will cost millions of dollars, much of it will be covered by FEMA. (The City's Parks & Rec dept was targeting an October 2020 to re-opening of the Teahouse, but that was before the construction restrictions started in March. Will need to keep our ears open for updates.

Come join us for a live virtual tour of the Japanese Friendship Garden tomorrow and refresh yourself with a little taste of nature! See you at 10 and don't forget to RSVP for the Zoom link.

Park Closures April 11 & 12

Guess where we were this weekend? 3rd Saturday of every month is free walking tour day in the Garden! Noon to 1:30, come see us!

Many visitors came to the Garden this weekend ! We really enjoyed all of the fond memories shared with us! Come on Walking Tour days to do your memory wish fish!

The Japanese Plum Orchard is waking up and showing pink and white blossoms, and the new young plum trees are showing their colors too. Thank you to Noriko for volunteering once a week to help keep the Garden thriving, the new plum trees look so happy.

Guess what!? Friends of JFG met with Councilmember Maya Esparza last week! We talked about the future plans for the Koi ponds and the Teahouse. CM Maya committed to working with the Friends regularly and said she is very supportive to see the Garden cared for and restored, and is excited to see the progress. * Per Shannon Heimer, Kelley Park General Manager, an update for 2017 Flood restoration: Tenji has completed their proposed design of the Koi ponds, and the design ...is now under review by the City. For the Teahouse, the design is completed and the contractor has been selected. The City is expecting construction to start on the Teahouse this month, or maybe January. From left to right, Dr. Mitsu Kumagai, Friend and ties to the original volunteers who built the Garden, Aderyn Clark, Founder of Friends of SJ JFG, James Reber, San Jose Parks Foundation, CM Maya Esparza, Michael Pearce, Kathy Sakamoto, San Jose Okayama Sister Cities, and Shannon Heimer. City of SJ, PRNS, Kelley Park General Manager. Taking the photo was Justin Long, City of SJ, PRNS, Deputy Director of Parks

Help fund the Japanese Friendship Garden with a donation to San Jose Parks Foundation.

Pueblo Play Updates - Here’s a connection.

Hi Friends of JFG! Thanks for your support all these months. Come try out our new self-guided walking map in the garden! New art for this map was created by Andy Young and sponsored by Japantown Lions Club Foundation and the Nikkei Matsuri Org.

Japanese Odori Dancers (fondly nicknamed now the Kelley Park Odori Dancers) graced the event this last Saturday's Garden Party with a special performance.

A few photos from the wonderful celebration at the Japanese Friendship Garden this morning.