Activities at the Garden

• FIRST FRIDAYS at RoHoEn
  The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is open on the First Friday of each month during our season from 4:00 PM to Dusk/7:00 PM FREE OF CHARGE. The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is honored to participate and support ArtLink's First Fridays with these special public hours. Free tours, cultural exhibitions and performances - varies each month so check our Event Calendars for details.
   
• Delay your commute for a few moments of quiet beauty and tranquility. A great way to ease into your weekend, or meet your friends at the garden before launching your ARTLINK Gallery Tour.
   
• School Tours & Group Tours available Fee
  Group Tours only on Tuesdays & Thursdays. 
  Reservations required, Call to schedule: 602-256-3204
   
• Ancient art of Chanoyu - Japanese Tea Ceremony:
  Performed for guests in tranquil garden setting;
  Enjoy tea and sweets.
  Always Second Saturday of each Month. Fee.
  Reservations required - Only 5 Public Tea Ceremony presentations per day with 8 to 9 guests per ceremony. Please call in advance, slots fill up fast. 602-256-3204.
  The Japanese Garden symbolizes the cultural bond between the cities of Phoenix and Himeji. The garden will be a shelter from the busy world outside its walls with its beautiful rocks and plants arranged to create an atmosphere of serenity, peace of mind and a calmness within one's self. One of the main attractions at the Japanese Friendship Garden is the Japanese Tea House. It is an exact replica of the traditional tea houses in Japan except for substitutions of certain materials used that would withstand desert weather.
  The Tea House is affiliated with the Urasenke Foundation (http://www.urasenke.org/). The Urasenke Tradition of Tea Urasenke Konnichinan of Kyoto, Japan is one of three major establishments that have preserved and furthered the rich cultural tradition known as chanoyu or the Way of Tea. The first generation of Urasenke, Sen Rikyu (1522-91), was a seminal figure in the transition of the Way of Tea from a medieval practice to its modern form. Each month a Tea Master from the Urasenke Foundation conducts a full Japanese Tea Ceremony at the Garden. The Tea Ceremony is an elegant ritual dating back to 11th century Japan. It represents a tradition of art and artistry that is grounded in the Japanese interpretation of Buddhism, the way of the Samurai warrior, and the subtle beauty of Japanese aesthetics. The Tea Ceremony is as relevant to Japanese culture today as it was 900 years ago when it was practiced in the Kyoto court of the Heian emperor.