Inside Kelley Park, near San Jose's Little Saigon, is a walled six-acre garden with no admission fee. The Japanese Friendship Garden was dedicated in October 1965 and patterned after Korakuen Garden in Okayama, one of San Jose's sister cities. Visit San Jose describes it as a symbol of that sister-city relationship.
The ponds and the koi
The garden has three main ponds at different elevations, connected by streams. They were stocked in 1966 with koi sent from Okayama. Paths wind past waterfalls, stone bridges and Japanese landscaping, and the garden is popular with photographers.
Setbacks
Wikipedia says a fish virus killed 90% of the koi in 2009. In 2017, when Coyote Creek flooded, the lower pond and most of the teahouse went underwater. The main pumps for all three ponds were damaged, and the teahouse and restrooms closed for repairs. As of 2022 the teahouse had been repaired, while other flood repairs were still unfinished.
Visiting
Entry is free. Wikipedia lists hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, but check the city's parks site for the current schedule. Parking at Kelley Park costs money, and Visit San Jose lists $10 lot parking nearby. This weekend, San Jose's History Park hosts one of the city's Día de los Muertos celebrations.