URBAN Parks: Japanese Friendship Garden in Central Phoenix | RO HO EN

November 16, 2008

A beautiful Japanese Garden in Central Phoenix invites visitors to relax and soak in how good it really is in this time, in this place, in this space.

Japanese Garden in Central Phoenix | Photo, Artur Ciesielski

We haven't been to too many Japanese gardens and especially none in Japan - but that is on the schedule - We have been to a Japanese Garden in The Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, The Japanese Garden in Wroclaw, Poland - the garden in Wroclaw was first created for the World Expo in 1913, later demolished the resurrected in the early 1990's: another Japanese garden which we have been to is in Phoenix, AZ.

In each case due to the climate the flora varies but few things more peaceful and serene.

They share the three common characteristic of water, flora Japanese Garden in Phoenix and stone and reduced scale, symbolism, and views: referring to the miniaturization of natures views of mountains and rivers so as to reunite them in a small area.

The Japanese Garden in Phoenix.

You would never believe we have such a beautiful garden here in Phoenix and especially surrounded by the the urban city but even the other gardens we mentioned above are all located in the depths of large cities and that is part of their being, part of bringing the grandeur of nature into the smaller confines of a city.

"The Japanese Friendship Garden - Ro Ho En is an authentic 3 1/2 acre Japanese Stroll Garden with tea garden and tea house. This tranquil and beautiful setting features more than 1,500 tons of hand picked rock, stone footbridges, lanterns and more than 50 varieties of plants. Flowing streams, a 12-foot waterfall and a Koi pond with over 300 colorful Koi fish. The Garden is the product and shared cultural vision of the Sister Cities of Phoenix and Himeji, Japan. "

"Ro Ho En is a combination of three Japanese words. Ro means Heron, a bird symbol of Himeji City [ PMT note: Himeji is a sister city of Phoenix ]. Ho is the Japanese word for the Phoenix bird. En means garden. Ro Ho En, therefore, is a name symbolizing the friendship between the two cities represented in this garden." (JFG site)

The garden is best enjoyed when you ignore the past and future and simply focus on the now: then you can truly enjoy the various details, the beauty, order and tranquility, the sights and sounds all of which remind us of the enduring strength of life. Take you're time: look at the details: let your eyes naturally flow over the garden lines from the mountains, valley, cliffs, meadows and waters.

I enjoy going there to read excerpts from a book. There are Japanese Garden in Phoenix plenty of benches to sit on, some in the sun some in the shade. There is small pergola by the tea house facing the house where one can take a moment to be alone. I can sit there for hours just looking at the intricate yet visually minimalist architecture of the tea home, the wonderful details utilizing bamboo and the surrounding plants.

The garden is surrounded by the dense urban downtown Phoenix: the centerpiece being the first historic neighborhood in Phoenix, Roosevelt Historic neighborhood and all the new vibrant exciting buildings like Portland Condos, then of course Roosevelt Row. It's no wonder this area is so popular for living, exciting, diverse and interesting.

The Japanese Friendship Garden
1125 North 3rd Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona

Note: open hours are narrow so see the link below with hours.