Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum 2215 Pan American Road East • San Diego • CA 92101
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Why You'll Love This Place
A Here Comes The Guide Wedding Venue Review
- Hidden inside San Diego's historic Balboa Park, this exquisite garden and nonprofit museum is both expansive and intimate, with thoughtfully cultivated plantings and curated spaces you can reserve separately or in combination, depending on your guest count and vision. It's beautiful year-round, with ever-changing flowers and trees... thought if we had to choose a favorite, it would be March, when hundreds of cherry blossom trees burst with dramatic pink blooms.
- Designed to reveal itself as you wander, the spectacular Lower Garden is filled with delights. Exchange vows on the curved Earth Bridge, hovering above the burbling stream, or in the spacious, tree-lined courtyard, then invite your guests to explore, discovering pristine koi ponds, stone waterfalls, and fragrant camellia, wisteria, and magnolia trees. The Inamori Pavilion is popular for receptions, with both indoor and outdoor options and lovely views.
- The magnificent Upper Garden has a tranquil, serene feel. The dramatic Ceremonial Gates make a stunning backdrop for ceremonies, framed by its intricately carved doors, as does the Moon Viewing Deck, with its gentle waterfall. Both the Deck and Reception Plaza are ideal for dinner & dancing, each lined with wooden pergolas, called fujidana, that are draped seasonally in stunning wisteria blossoms.
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DEALS: What discounts, special offers, or packages are available here?
Minimonies are available Monday–Thursday for $3,670 for up to 40 guests. Rentals run 2 hours, including setup and cleanup, and include a ceremony at one of multiple locations throughout the Upper or Lower Gardens.
Friday–Sunday Minimonies are available during public and non-public hours for $4,670. The latest weekend ceremony time in the Lower Garden is 1pm, or throughout the day in the Upper Garden.
Holidays have a holiday fee. Please contact the venue for more details.
PRICES: What's this going to cost?
Rental Fee
- $5,400/event and up
- Rental fee varies depending on:
- Day of week
- Event duration
Upper Garden | 200 guests | $900–1,100/hour rental
Lower Garden | 150 guests | $1,100–1,400/hour rental (includes limited private parking)There is a 6-hour minimum for all Friday–Sunday events. Both venues include use of a dressing room with 6+ hour event.
GUEST COUNT: How many people can we have here? What’s the max capacity?
| Indoors | Outdoors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Seated | 0 | 200 |
| Cocktails, etc. | Standing | 300 | 300 |
| Reception | Seated | 250 | 250 |
| Meetings | Total meeting capacity for this venue is 200. | ||
Venue Info & FAQs
OPTIONS: What kinds of events can we have here?
- Outdoor Ceremony
- Ceremony
- Wedding Receptions
- Outdoor Reception
- LGBTQ+ Friendly
- Small Wedding
- Special Events / Parties
- Business Functions / Meetings
- Late Night
POLICIES: What are the food, alcohol, music, and other rules here?
Price
$ • $$ • $$$
Catering
Preferred list
Caterers must be selected from the venue's required list.
Alcohol
BYO
Amplified Music
Indoors
Outdoors
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair accessible
Availability
Year-round, daily.
STYLE: What’s the style and overall vibe of this venue?
Buildings & other settings available:
- Garden
- Patio / Deck / Terrace
- Unique
- Non-Profit
- Museum
VIEWS: What kind of views does this place have?
Peep the views you’ll enjoy from this venue!
- Forest / Woods
- Fountain / Water Feature
- Garden
- Lagoon / Pond
- Landscaped Grounds
- Waterfall
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
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