Japanese Friendship Garden Weddings
Wooden bridges, a quiet canyon and cherry blossoms in the heart of Balboa Park, a garden of three sceneries built in friendship with Yokohama.
A garden of three sceneries in Balboa Park
The Japanese Friendship Garden, San-Kei-En, sits on Pan American Road in Balboa Park and celebrates the friendship between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama. Its name means a garden of three sceneries: pastoral, mountain and lake. Since an expansion in 2015 it covers 11 acres, from a koi pond and waterfall in the upper garden to a lower canyon with five wooden bridges, dry streambeds and about 160 cherry trees.
Bridges, blossoms and soft garden light
We have photographed here, and the garden rewards slow, unhurried portraits. The wooden bridges over the rocky stream and the cherry branches in spring frame a couple beautifully, and the rest of Balboa Park is close by for more variety.
Capacity, catering and cost
Couples love the garden for its calm and its authenticity: koi ponds, waterfalls and the March cherry blossoms, a hidden oasis in the middle of Balboa Park. Several reservable spaces suit different guest counts, and the garden is wheelchair accessible and LGBTQ+ friendly. Prices have risen in recent years with less included than before, and the Inamori Pavilion can feel dated inside, so plan some decor.
Good to know
- Confirm photography permits with the garden when you plan your day
- Cherry blossoms in the lower canyon bloom briefly, usually in early spring
- Balboa Park's landmarks are close by for portraits before or after the garden
- Allow time to walk between the upper garden and the canyon
Where we like to shoot
- The wooden footbridge over the rocky stream
- Under cherry blossom branches in spring
- Among the pines along the canyon paths
- Beside the koi pond in the upper garden
Build your Japanese Friendship Garden timeline
Move the slider to the hours of coverage you are considering, then pick the size of the day and where the ceremony is. The timeline below rebuilds itself as you change any of them.
The whole wedding at Japanese Friendship Garden
- 3:10 PMArrival, the venue and the details
- 3:40 PMFirst look and couple portraits before guests arrive
- 4:30 PMTucked away while guests arrive. Ceremony space and details photographed
- 5:00 PMCeremony
- 5:30 PMFamily formals
- 6:05 PMCouple portraits: the wooden footbridge over the rocky stream, cherry blossom branches in spring and Among the pines along the canyon paths
- 6:50 PMCocktail hour, guests and candids
- 7:40 PMGrand entrance, dinner and toasts
- 8:55 PMGolden hour, then the evening light
Ceremony set at 5:00pm as a starting point, the way the sample days on this page run. Tell us your ceremony time and we rebuild the day around it.
Sample wedding day timelines at the Japanese Friendship Garden
This is a sample, a general shape for an afternoon ceremony with portraits in Balboa Park. Adapt it with your coordinator and the garden.
A sample garden wedding day
- 1:30 PMCoverage begins where you get ready. Details and candid moments.
- 3:00 PMTravel to Balboa Park, with time to park and walk.
- 3:15 PMFirst look and couple portraits in the park.
- 4:00 PMWedding party and family portraits before guests arrive.
- 5:00 PMCeremony in the garden, followed by a few quiet portraits near the bridges.
- 6:00 PMCocktail hour candids and reception details.
- 6:45 PMSunset portraits, then entrance, dinner, toasts and dancing, with coverage concluding around 9:30 PM.
What is specific to the Japanese Friendship Garden
A few things about this Balboa Park garden that shape the day.
Where couples also photograph nearby
Balboa Park landmarks a short walk or drive from the garden.
- California Tower
- Botanical Building
- El Prado archways
- The koi pond
- The lower canyon bridges
- Balboa Park lawns
Questions couples ask about Japanese Friendship Garden
Do we need a permit to photograph at the Japanese Friendship Garden?
Please confirm photography permits with the garden when you plan your day. Balboa Park has its own rules as well, so it is worth checking both early.
When do the cherry trees bloom?
The cherry blossoms in the lower canyon bloom briefly in early spring. The garden is beautiful the rest of the year too, with pines, stone, bridges and water.
Can we combine the garden with other Balboa Park locations?
Yes. Couples often add portraits by the California Tower, the Botanical Building or the El Prado archways. Allow time for walking and parking.
Do you photograph portrait sessions here as well as weddings?
Yes. The bridges and blossoms work beautifully for engagement and portrait sessions as well as wedding days.
More venues nearby on our San Diego wedding venues guide, or meet your San Diego wedding photographer.