This 6-acre garden was patterned after Korakuen in Okayama, San Jose's sister city. It's open park-like plan is different from the stereotypical Japanese garden, but this one still includes familiar elements such as koi ponds, streams, waterfall, and a teahouse. Plantings include cherries, acer palmatum, willow, irises and redwood.
Bibliography
Barrett Dick. "Friendship Garden Well Worth Visiting." San Jose News. July 28, 1971, pp 1,21.
Conn, Kenneth S. "Real Tea House Opening in Kelly Park Friday." San Jose News, July 30, 1970, pp 1-2.
Cummings, Clover. "New Japanese Garden: Friendship Takes Tangible Form." San Jose Mercury-News Magazine. October 31, 1965, p 10.
Doss, Margo Patterson. "Japanese Gardens and Old San Jose." San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, May 25, 1986, p 6.
Gerlitz, Bert. "San Jose Builds A Japanese-American Friendship Garden." Western City. May 1966, pp 33-34.
"Japanese to Help Dedicate Teahouse:112-man Delegation from Sister City." San Jose News. May 17, 1970, pp 1-7.
Good people of old
Looked oft at Mount Yoshino
And said that it was good.
Good people of our time,
Take a good look
At the good mountain of Yoshino!
Good people,
Take a good look!!
Emperor Temmu Manyôshû trans. by Charles Terry (?) 7th century