Japanese Friendship Bell: Shelter Island, San Diego, California

Greetings PHG readers, today we're visiting the Japanese Friendship Bell here on Shelter Island in San Diego. This 6 foot tall, 4,600 pound bell was gifted to the city from the citizens of Yokohama in 1958, marking the centennial of that port's opening. The bell was tolled for the first time on 10 December 1960, with civic leaders from both San Diego and Yokohama on hand to witness it.

The Japanese Friendship Bell, with "The Girl in Red Shoes" statue to the left, and flowering peach tree to the right.

There is a Helen-Borshers flowering peach tree planted just to the right of the bell; this was planted in 2008 to celebrate the 50-year old official friendship between Yokohama and San Diego. The structure that houses the bell, and the surrounding landscaping was redone a year later. At the same time, a statue called "The Girl in Red Shoes", cast by Komeno Munehiro, stands opposite the tree.

"The Girl in Red Shoes" by Komeno Munehiro

We visited before the peach tree blossoms came out, but with buds appearing all over the tree, I'm sure she is beautiful in full bloom. Small markers of international relations such as this one add to the vibrancy of any city; I hope more folks pass this way when visiting San Diego.

Until next time!

Tony

Further reading:

Yokohama Friendship Bell - San Diego

Yokohama Friendship Bell - historic San Diego

Japanese Friendship Bell - JapaneseCity.com