Japanese Tea Pavilion, where visitors to the Exposition could sit, sip tea, and enjoy the landscaped garden. For nearly 30 years, the teahouse and garden were operated and maintained by the Asakawa family until it was dismantled. In 1955, a plan was formulated for restoring a Japanese garden in Balboa Park on an expanded site. The new Japanese Friendship Garden, also known as San Kei En, is an expression of friendship between San Diego and Yokohama, Japan. Yokohama became a San Diego Sister City in 1957.