Taste of Japan

$255

Wednesday

January 20, 2027

The Japanese Friendship Garden, named Rohoen (鷺鳳園), is a joint project of the City of Phoenix and our Sister City Himeji, Japan. Himeji Mayor, Matsuji Totani proposed the garden in 1987 to cement the bonds of friendship between Japan and the United States and particularly between the peoples of Himeji and Phoenix.

The Himeji Gardening and Construction Contractors Association was formed for the specific purpose of designing and constructing the garden. In the ensuing years, the group has made dozens of visits to select the site, investigate soil and climactic conditions, determine suitable plantings, select rock, and oversee construction details.

The teahouse and surrounding tea garden were completed in November 1996, the 20th anniversary of our Sister City relationship. The project features a stroll garden, tea garden, and a dry garden. All the decorative features that you see in the garden and the thousands of hours required to design and guide its construction are gifts from the City of Himeji and its citizens.

Tour Price Includes

Admission to the Japanese Friendship Garden

Deluxe motor coach transportation

Hostess, bottled water  & candy on board

Lunch at Benihana

Tour Price Does Not Include:

Driver & Hostess Gratuity

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, Rohoen, is an authentic 3.5 acre Japanese Stroll Garden with a tea garden and a tea house. This tranquil and beautiful setting features more than 1,500 tons of hand-picked rock, stone foot bridges, lanterns and more than 85 varieties of plants. As you stroll the path, you will enjoy flowing streams, a 14-foot waterfall, and a koi pond with over 300 colorful Koi fish.

 

The Name – Rohoen​

The devoted and friendly relationship between the Sister Cities of Phoenix and Himeji, Japan is reflected in the name chosen by its creators.

• 鷺 Ro – Japanese word for Heron, a symbol of Himeji City. Shira Sagi Jou, or the White Heron, is the name of the famous Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• 鳳 Ho – Japanese word for the mythical Phoenix bird.
• 園 En – Japanese word for Garden.

​Our Sister City – Himeji​ Himeji became a Phoenix Sister City in November 1976 and is one of ten Sister Cities around the globe. Phoenix and Himeji participate in business, governmental, cultural and educational exchanges that promote international goodwill and understanding. The Garden is the shared cultural vision of the cities of Phoenix and Himeji.

BENIHANA After we visit the Japanese Friendship Garden we will stop at Benihana for lunch – Hibachi style.  We will have front row seats for this unforgettable, immersive dining experience. A fast-paced feast for the senses, fusing Japanese tradition with signature teppanyaki theatrics.Benihana is a popular Japanese-American restaurant chain specializing in hibachi cooking. Founded in New York City in 1964 by Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, it is famous for its highly trained chefs who prepare meals—such as steak, seafood, and their highly craved chicken fried rice—on a communal hibachi grill right in front of the guests.

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