Japanese Friendship Garden

2215 Pan American Road. E, San Diego, CA

Japanese Friendship Garden

2215 Pan American Road. E, San Diego, CA

Show Phone

www.niwa.org

Max Capacity: 200 people

About Japanese Friendship Garden

This hidden gem in the heart of San Diego's historic Balboa Park strikes the perfect balance between beauty, tranquility, and romance. The Japanese Friendship Garden provides a uniquely intimate and unforgettable venue for weddings, private parties, corporate receptions, memorials, and more. Surrounded by lush trees and tall bamboo, private events will enjoy exclusive private access to the entire garden to explore its winding pathways, waterfall, peaceful koi ponds, and authentic Japanese garden features.

Package Pricing

Event Spaces

The Lower Garden's Courtyard

Maximum Capacity: 230
Outdoor Venue

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The Lower Garden's Courtyard

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Outdoor Venue | Maximum Capacity: 230

The Courtyard is just outside of the Inamori Pavilion and makes a great setting for larger ceremonies, with it's charming stone stairs that is the perfect spot for a lovely arch to get married beneath. It also makes for a nice cocktail style reception space as well!

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Reception
Capacity: 230 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

The Lower Garden's Earth Bridge

Outdoor Venue

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The Lower Garden's Earth Bridge

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Outdoor Venue

Our Lower Gardens include a beautiful path where guests can stroll during their cocktail hour exploring a variety of plants and flowers along side a charming stream. Our Earth Bridge can also serve as an exquisite ceremony spot for those interested in intimate weddings. It's also the perfect place for photos after the ceremony.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Features

The Lower Garden's Inamori Pavilion

Maximum Capacity: 250
General Event Space

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The Lower Garden's Inamori Pavilion

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 250

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Reception
Capacity: 250 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: Well lit, with dimming features. Can rent additional decorative lights from our approved vendors.
Floor Number: 1
Special Features: Has the benefits of the indoors, yet ties in the beautiful surroundings with its two walls of glass sliding doors that open out onto a deck over the water. The room can also be divided in half with a float wall for smaller events.

The Lower Garden's Inamori Pavilion Deck

General Event Space

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The Lower Garden's Inamori Pavilion Deck

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General Event Space

This beautiful deck space hangs over a koi filled pond with an 8 foot waterfall and beautiful landscaping. This spot is perfect for cocktail style receptions, expanded reception seating and even for wedding ceremonies.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: Surrounded by beautiful landscaping, including traditional Japanese Black Pines, an eight foot tall water fall, and pond filled with koi fish.
Special Features: Japanese lantern lights, deck over the water, beautiful view.

The Upper Garden's Activity Room

General Event Space

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The Upper Garden's Activity Room

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General Event Space

The room can accommodate up to 50 guests for small parties, meetings, classes, etc. It also comes with a 10 foot long wood table and 12 wood chairs and can rent additional tables and chairs if needed. This room is available for rental during our public hours, and also comes with our larger venue rentals during our private hours to function as a green room.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: Several museum exhibit pieces line the walls to set a nice atmosphere.
Special Features: Air conditioning. 10' long meeting table with 12 chairs included in rental.

The Upper Garden's Ceremonial Gates

Maximum Capacity: 200
General Event Space

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The Upper Garden's Ceremonial Gates

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 200

The majestic backdrop of the Charles C. Dail Memorial Gate is the perfect location for large ceremonies and cocktail receptions. The Ceremonial Gate is a magnificent location surrounded by trees with a view of the towering Corinthian columns of the Sprecels Organ Pavilion.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Reception
Capacity: 200 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

The Upper Garden's Exhibit House

Maximum Capacity: 50
General Event Space

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The Upper Garden's Exhibit House

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 50

Designed in traditional Japanese sukiya style, the Exhibit Hall features rotating exhibits of art, historical artifacts, and collections from Japanese culture. Guests can enjoy the season's featured exhibit and viewing room of the Dry Rock Garden.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Reception
Capacity: 50 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

The Upper Garden's Koi Pond and Moon Viewing Deck

Maximum Capacity: 100
Outdoor Venue

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The Upper Garden's Koi Pond and Moon Viewing Deck

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Outdoor Venue | Maximum Capacity: 100

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 85 People

Banquet - 8 per
Capacity: 50 People

Reception
Capacity: 100 People

Amenities

Features

The Upper Garden's Reception Plaza

Maximum Capacity: 300
Outdoor Venue

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The Upper Garden's Reception Plaza

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Outdoor Venue | Maximum Capacity: 300

Our open air Reception Plaza is the perfect spot for a reception under the stars. The area includes a deck overlooking the plaza that can be used as an entertainment stage. Spring events can enjoy wisteria blossoms on the wooden fujidana (arbor).

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Reception
Capacity: 300 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: The garden really doesn't need much decoration as there is already so much beautiful flora and fauna all around, even a bonsai exhibit! Just rent some extra lighting and that brings everything together to form an exquisite setting!

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Location

Neighborhood

Venue Types

Amenities

Handicapped Accessible
Outdoor Function Area
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Max Number of People for an Event: 300
Year Renovated: 2015