Over breakfast, I suggested to my husband and son that we take advantage of the radiant weather and go out for the day. My son excitedly said, “Let’s go to the Japanese garden!”
I quickly bought tickets online, and we rushed to make it in time for the 11 a.m. tour. At the departure point, we met Ms. Kiyoko and had a lovely chat with her. She taught us how to say hello, good morning, and goodbye in Japanese. My son asked her how Japanese characters differ from Chinese Mandarin. She explained that when she visited Taiwan and Hong Kong, she could understand most of the talking and writing because they use traditional Mandarin. My son, who is currently studying Mandarin, was thrilled to hear this. He and Ms. Kiyoko then began exchanging words in Mandarin and Japanese, calling them out to each other with excitement. Delighted by the interaction, my son decided he wants to enroll in a Japanese class.
Experiencing Japanese Culture in Downtown Phoenix
When the group had gathered, Ms. Kiyoko began telling us the story behind the Japanese Friendship Garden, named RoHoEn. It is a joint project between the city of Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji, in Japan. The first phase was completed in 1996. The mayor of Himeji wanted to create a Japanese garden to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two cities. It wasn’t an easy task—many Japanese plants couldn’t adapt to Arizona’s climate. In fact, only ten plant species in the garden are from Japan; the rest are native to Arizona. The Himeji Gardening and Construction Association spent years selecting a suitable site, analyzing the soil and climate, choosing appropriate plants, and overseeing the details of the garden’s construction. All Japanese gardens include three main elements: plants, rocks, and water.
We eventually reached the teahouse, which features a surrounding tea garden, a stroll garden, and a dry garden. Every decorative feature in the tea gardens contributed to a calm, warm, and welcoming atmosphere—perfect for reflection and the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
At one point, Ms. Kiyoko drew our attention to a blooming lotus flower growing in a pond. I quickly took out my camera and captured the essence of this living flower floating gracefully in its natural setting. The result is below…
Discovering Japanese Traditions in the Heart of Phoenix
The tour lasted forty minutes. Some visitors asked insightful questions, which made the experience even richer. One couple mentioned another Japanese garden in the state of Washington, which Ms. Kiyoko knew very well. She gave a very inviting description of the Portland Japanese Garden, explaining that it’s larger and more fully styled due to the favorable climate that allows for more authentic Japanese plants. This piqued our curiosity, and we immediately looked up the garden’s website—now it’s our next family adventure!
As we crossed two traditional Japanese garden bridges, Ms. Kiyoko explained the architectural features unique to each one. Below the bridges, we saw vibrant orange koi fish swimming energetically. The sunny day, the fresh scent of trees and plants, and the meticulous beauty of the garden made for a wonderful family outing.
Guided by the delightful Ms. Kiyoko, we learned how to greet each other in Japanese and discovered the fascinating story behind the garden’s creation. As we strolled through peaceful pathways, admired vibrant lotus flowers, and explored traditional tea gardens, we were completely captivated.
At the end of the tour, as a token of appreciation for her kindness and knowledge, I gave Ms. Kiyoko a handmade lotus flower from my Falun Dafa practice. She was delighted by its delicacy and beauty. I explained that it was crafted in Taiwan by Falun Gong practitioners.
