If you could see down into the soil at San Diego's Japanese Friendship Garden, you would know that the roots of every flower, bonsai tree, and shrub connects San Diego to Yokohama, its sister city in Japan. Indeed, stepping into the garden is like teleporting across the Pacific Ocean: unique stone arrangements, ornamental plant collections, and a prize collection of koi all help create an authentic Asian setting. But the friendship garden isn't just trees and flowers. On garden tours, guides take groups across the grounds, educating guests about the significance and diversity of Japanese culture along the way. Days at the garden might see other visitors sipping imported drinks at the Tea Pavilion or sketching the temple, which sits perfectly still for the artists' convenience.