Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix/Ro Ho En

Situated at the south end of the Margaret T. Hance Park, this three-and-a-half-acre refuge is the perfect place for busy urbanites to slow down and contemplate simple beauties: a 12-foot waterfall, a rocky stream that flows into a koi-filled pond, a shore of carefully selected rocks from Arizona quarries, and stone lanterns and sculptures. Even the garden’s official name, Ro Ho En, inspires a poetic mindset. Ro stands for “heron,” Himeji’s symbolic bird, which references the town’s spectacular White Heron Castle; Ho is Japanese for our own mythical winged creature; and En means “garden.” There’s also an on-site traditional teahouse, perfect for viewing the lovingly manicured scenery.