🍂 Tranquil Autumn Stroll at the Japanese Friendship Garden

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Japanese Friendship Garden (inside Kelley Park)
Paratransit Drop-off: 1300 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
RSVP by: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Escape the hustle and bustle with an autumn visit to San Jose's beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden. As the season shifts, the garden transforms with vibrant autumn colors, making it the perfect backdrop to witness the changing fall foliage. Modeled after the serene Koraku-en garden in Okayama, Japan, this tranquil park features beautiful koi ponds, peaceful water features, and manicured bridges. It is a wonderful, scenic location to enjoy the crisp fresh air, admire nature's seasonal palette, and engage in deep meaningful conversation together as a group.

📝 Japanese Friendship Garden is a loop trail that covers 0.7 mi, with an elevation gain of 19 ft.

🕑 Schedule

• 1:30 PM Meet at the front entrance gates for check-in.
  Enjoy a gentle, unhurried roll/walk through the paved garden pathways to admire the koi ponds, tea house, and waterfalls.
• 3:00 PM Gather near the tea house courtyard benches for resting, socializing, and snapping group photos.
• 3:15 PM Head back to the paratransit/parking drop-off area.

♿️ Accessibility

• Pathways: The primary trail loop is flat (1% grade or less) and at least 6 feet wide, surfaced with paved asphalt and smooth brick.
• Bridges: Please note that while the pathways are highly accessible, a few of the traditional arched bridges are steep and can be challenging for manual wheelchair users without assistance. We will stay on the main flat routes.
• Restrooms: Accessible public restrooms are available on-site within Kelley Park.
• Seating: Benches and shaded rest areas are scattered throughout the garden footprint for frequent breaks.

🚘 Parking & Transit

• Paratransit: Use the 1300 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112 address for standard VTA ACCESS drop-off and pickup. Drivers can pull directly into the loop near the main ticket window/gates.
• Accessible Parking: The paved lot directly at the entrance trailhead features multiple designated van-accessible spaces with wide striped loading aisles.
• Parking Cost: Parking in the Kelley Park lot is $6 per vehicle (standard daily city rate), $2 with disability placard. Garden admission itself is completely free!

✅️ What to Bring

• Light jacket
• Bug repellent
• Water bottle

⚠️ Liability Waiver
By joining and attending events, you agree that participation is voluntary and at your own risk. Breaking Boundaries is a peer-led social group and does not provide medical, personal care, or transportation services.
Click here for Participation Disclaimer.

🙏 Thank You to our Sponsor!
A huge thank you to Q-Bit Wellness for supporting Breaking Boundaries! Their commitment to community health and inclusion helps make events like this possible.