The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
4.5(5,326)4.5 out of 5 stars, 5326 reviews Phoenix, AZ
About The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
A peaceful, immaculately maintained Japanese garden in the middle of Phoenix featuring a large pond, waterfalls, colorful koi fish, and ducks, offering a serene but relatively small walking experience.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: A quick, relaxing stroll to see fish and ducksFamilies looking for a quiet, peaceful outdoor escape in the cityToddlers and preschoolers who will enjoy watching the ducks and colorful koi fishOlder children and teens who can maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor for peaceful walking
Why families love it
- Beautiful views and immaculately maintained grounds
- Mesmerizing waterfalls and garden paths
- Watching colorful koi fish and duck families swim in the pond
- Friendly and accommodating staff
- Large pond with koi fish and ducks
- Relaxing waterfalls
Insider tips
- Look into getting a free garden pass or visiting on free admission days to save on entry costs
- Prepare children beforehand that this is a quiet, meditative space where conversations should be kept low
- Arrive early on free admission days as the free parking lot fills up quickly
- Note that the gift shop only allows 6 people at a time
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during peak free admission hours if you want to avoid crowds
- Professional photography sessions (strictly prohibited/not recommended)
- The garden is quite small with limited things to see
- Can get crowded, which disrupts the quiet atmosphere
- Nearby city sounds can detract from the peacefulness
- Crowds
- Can get very crowded on free admission days (e.g., Friday evenings) and fairly busy even on weekday afternoons
- Value
- Regular admission is about $14, which some visitors feel is expensive for the small size of the garden, though justified by upkeep. Free admission days and garden passes are highly recommended for the best value.
- Food
- Beverage station available near the entrance to purchase drinks
- Accessibility
- Wanderable garden paths
- Safety
- Capacity limit of 6 people at a time in the gift shop
What parents say
"This was my first time at the Japanese Friendship Garden. We went on a Friday around 5pm on the free admission day. When we arrived, their parking, which was free too, was pretty full. When you first enter, there is a gift shop which only allows 6 people at a time. Then there's the admission booth where you pay for the tickets, if you don't go on the free day. As you continue, there's a station where you can buy beverages on your right and on the left, you see the bathroom in front of the pond. Be aware, you can't take professional pictures here. This is supposed to be a quiet place. There "
3 weeks ago
"It's beautiful and a great place for quiet contemplation. It is a good reminder of what can be accomplished gardening in Arizona, though I think if they embraced the Professional photography community by giving them times to book, there would be far less people trying to sneak photography opportunities. Recommend the visit for a relaxing meditation, not recommended for photographers, please."
a week ago
"We were visiting from out of town! Stopped by here on a whim. Amazing garden with beautiful views! Cute little gift shop out front too! Staff is very friendly & accommodating ! Hope to visit again soon when we are back in Arizona !"
2 weeks ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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