Part of the Phoenix charm is with its desert scenery. Not much green, very distinct vegetation, so when you tour around Phoenix you become used to the yellowish flavor of it all. Which is why the Ro Ho En – the Japanese Friendship Garden – near the heart of Phoenix is very surprising. Somehow, I’m not sure how, they’ve created this green and blue oasis in the middle of the desert. Going in, you’re transported across the globe to Japan, with small fountains and pagodas, white sand, lakes and pleasant walking paths. It isn’t very big, but the strong contrast to the environment really is striking.
The official website writes:
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, named Ro Ho En is an authentic 3.5 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. As you stroll the path, you will enjoy flowing streams, a 12-foot waterfall, and a Koi pond with over 300 colorful Koi fish.
Let’s take a stroll…
Location:
If you’re visiting downtown Phoenix, this is a nice 30-minutes detour to calm your senses and help you escape the desert for a bit.