Bonseki

The Japanese Friendship Garden hosts a Bonseki workshop on September 12, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Balboa Park in San Diego. Bonseki is a Japanese art of arranging white sand, pebbles, and small stones on a black lacquered tray to form miniature landscapes. Tickets run $115 to $135, and garden admission is required.

What to Expect

Participants build their own bonseki tray, using sand and stones to shape a scene modeled on mountains, rivers, or coastlines. The tradition dates back more than a thousand years. No experience is needed.

Getting There

The Japanese Friendship Garden is at 2215 Pan American Road East in central Balboa Park.

The workshop suits San Diego residents who want a hands-on introduction to a traditional Japanese art form in a garden setting.