Japanese Friendship Garden (Kelley Park)


The Japanese Friendship Garden is a walled section of Kelley Park in San Jose, California, United States. Dedicated in October 1965, it is patterned after Japan's famous Korakuen Garden in Okayama and spans six acres. Its three main ponds were stocked with koi sent from Okayama in 1966. The ponds are at different elevations in the park, and are inter-connected by streams.
The park is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. There is no admission fee, but the city does charge for parking at Kelley Park.

History

In 2009 a deadly fish virus killed 90% of the Koi in the ponds.
In 2017 the Coyote Creek flooded the Japanese Friendship Gardens submerging the lower pond and most of the tea house. The main pumps for the three Koi ponds were damaged. The tea house and park's restrooms remain closed to the public pending repairs.
Tea house and water fall restoration is planned for completion in December of 2018.

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