When we visited the area in 2024, we know about the Japanese Friendship Garden. We looked up the location and discovered it was right next to the Watkins Museum which we did visit in 2024.

The Friendship Garden started with Hiratsuka, Japan donating $5,000 to Lawrence in 1995. The city of Lawrence donated another $5,000 along with another $15,000 from various donations. The volunteers took that money and built the garden next to the Watkins museum. The City of Hiratsuka shipped two major pieces from Japan, a lantern and a 15′ stone tower, to be displayed in the garden. In 2000, 50 delegates from Hiratsuka, Japan came to the USA, and the garden was dedicated. You can read about it here.

John told Kate that the garden was small. Kate was thinking something like a city block or less. It turns out the garden is the size of an average back yard. It is definitely smaller than Kate’s Mom’s backyard, but her back yard is pretty big for city dwelling. We guess it was called a garden instead of a park for a reason.

Because of the size, Kate almost missed the garden, until John pointed it out. Because the garden is located in downtown Lawrence, you cannot park next to it. You have to find an available pay parking spot. About 2 blocks away from the gardens, we were able to find a pay parking spot that was not reserved.

In the spring, some of the trees have beautiful pink flowers.

Kate enjoyed the squirrel living the archway that was covered in vines, but we don’t believe the squirrel liked her very much. Can you find the squirrel?

The tower and lantern were given to the park by the city of Hiratsuka, Japan.

Below is a picture of Kate in front of the small seating area.

Here is a closeup of the tower and lantern