Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

So peaceful! Beautiful and quiet. The website said the tea room was open and you could enjoy tea while walking the grounds. However, when asked about it, I was told it is only open for tea ceremonies. There's a nice tiny gift shop there as well. Bathrooms are also part of the aesthetics of the grounds.

I was expecting it to be a bit bigger than what it really was. Walk really slow and enjoy the scenery. My sister and I were able to walk through the garden in 15 minutes. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the sound of the water falling down a small waterfall. We saw one duck while walking. The fish are really big and beautiful.

A spot of tranquility in the middle of Downtown Phoenix. A 5 minute walk from the Metro Line, very close to Roosevelt St with a ton of good places to eat. Not very big, but big enough to enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

This was my first time at the Japanese Friendship Garden. We went on a Friday around 5pm on the free admission day. When we arrived, their parking, which was free too, was pretty full. When you first enter, there is a gift shop which only allows 6 people at a time. Then there's the admission booth where you pay for the tickets, if you don't go on the free day. As you continue, there's a station where you can buy beverages on your right and on the left, you see the bathroom in front of the pond. Be aware, you can't take professional pictures here. This is supposed to be a quiet place. There were so many people. It's pretty small and requires lots of maintenance. I wish I had more time and was able to enjoy it quietly, but I may have to leave it for another day. Overall it is nice and peaceful. The park is clean. They charge about 14 dollars on the other days and I found that to be a lot, but considering the upkeep, I suppose it makes sense. I just thought it was small, but beautiful.

Tokyo is where I spent time working and visited many small but wonderful gardens. This garden, surrounded by a city and highway, reminds me of those wonderful pockets of highly manicured and designed meditative gardens. This garden, given the challenge of being in Phoenix, does not disappoint. Just understand it is not about size or entertainment. It is about contemplative and imaginative moments. It is difficult to deliver a Japanese garden in an American culture. We want big, entertaining, and over the top experiences in America. This is the opposite, and that is refreshing. Arrive at 8 am for an hour of solitude before the garden gets busy. The visit brought back wonderful memories of my city garden walks in Tokyo and Kyoto. Have a slow and meditative walk, and enjoy a well designed and managed garden. Beautiful.

I visited this pretty spot on a Sunday afternoon, and while it was a bit busy, it was still a nice place to explore. The koi fish were super cool, and I enjoyed a peach saki drink as I wandered around. I grabbed a pamphlet with interesting info about the park’s design and cool bathrooms, so I’ll definitely come back and explore more with the map next time.

It's beautiful and a great place for quiet contemplation. It is a good reminder of what can be accomplished gardening in Arizona, though I think if they embraced the Professional photography community by giving them times to book, there would be far less people trying to sneak photography opportunities. Recommend the visit for a relaxing meditation, not recommended for photographers, please.

This is a beautiful little spot tucked away in the heart of Phoenix. The garden in its entirety was smaller than I'd imagined. I get that the upkeep likely requires a lot of attention, however the $14 price of admission seems a bit much. Maybe go on a day they've got activities rather than just the short walk around.

Beautiful garden to walk around. Go when it's nice and cool. Ample parking and places to sit and enjoy the garden

I spent part of my birthday here and loved it. It is a secret hidden gem right in downtown Phoenix. The gardens are lovely. It is a peaceful, beautiful and relaxing spot to visit. Bring your camera. It is small but mighty. The gardens are a nice little place to go to get away from the daily grind for a short time for some seriously needed silent and alone time. They have events and I believe a sipping tea. I did not partake in that but it sounds lovely. Call and ask. They have a small gift shop where you buy tickets. Last time I went they sold water and some beverages for the hot days. I would say bring water. It was very hot the day I went. I want to revisit on a cooler day so I can stay longer. It really is so very lovely and interesting to see such a hidden garden in the middle of Urbania. Check around for discounts like maybe Groupon or AAA/AARP. There is a modest fee.

It is a lovely Japanese-styled/inspired garden in the heart of Phoenix. They do incredible work in trimming the local (unique) flora to resemble bonsai. There is a large koi pond. The walking path is pleasant, it is a serene place with a tiny man-made waterfall. They had a Japanese florist providing tips for floral arrangements. It was a pleasant place. After having spent lots of time in Japan over the years, I (admittedly unfairly) kept comparing it to Japanese Gardens. For a Japanese Garden in the middle of the Arizona desert, they've done an outstanding job. Family friendly place.

Peace, tranquility, and serenity. Awesome vibes here. Hung out with the koi fish for about an hour and soaked in all the great energy from the water and nature.

What a wonderful garden! It is very beautiful and peaceful there. I would love to just sit there all day and enjoy the nature. Cute gift shop. Excellent customer service. My friend and I went there for the tea garden international event, and it was very nice. There were some different teas to sample and cultural information.

Friends, who knew??? I was invited by an out of town friend to visit Phoenix's own Japanese Friendship Garden....thats LITERALLY in my backyard!!! I had no idea this beautiful park existed. Very serene, beautiful, and peaceful...in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. If you haven't been, make sure to add to your list of weekend activities. Such a pretty place. Grade A+

This place is okay-- only because I've been to multiple Japanese gardens across the USA & Japan. I guess you can say it's worth it if you've never been to one since it's in the middle of Arizona so I'm sure maintenance and upkeep is quite difficult. The admission is a little on the steep side ($14 for adults) and it's not very big nor do they offer anything more. Their store offers some cool memorabilia that you can't find anywhere else but still don't think a $14 admission rate + high souvenir prices are worth it. Don't get me wrong though!! This place is absolutely beautiful with the most amazing views but would love to see it being larger and/or offering some cool activities/learning center for visitors to go through.

Finally got to check this place out and I'm glad I went, but one time is good enough for me. Very pretty, green, peaceful place it would be best if you're hanging out long enough to get your money's worth if you're paying and read a book there. It is pretty small, wish there wasn't a fee at all, but I understand. I'm sure the free days are super busy so it wouldn't be as peaceful. They are adamant about not going off the path and staying off the grass. I wish I got to see more koi fish since they said there was about 300 in the pond or the price to get in were cheaper.

I have been lucky to visit several Japanese Gardens...Tokyo and Kyoto. This pales in comparison and is pretty uninspiring. If you are visiting Phoenix I think this would be a pass...

Cool little haven in the middle of urban Phoenix! This Japanese garden is on the small side, but the surroundings were quiet, so it gave off peaceful, calming vibes. The walking path circles the pond. Cool giant koi fish and a tranquil waterfall. Unfortunately, I'm not well-versed in plants, so I can't name off what I saw, but the pretty flowers about, greenery and general summer colors were well worth the stop. Up by the entrance there's a small gift shop and tables and chairs inside the garden. I can't comment if there's food, or if you're permitted to bring your own picnic - sounds like a fun idea if it's allowed. Take note the hours here are different depending on the day: some days they close at 4, others 6:30; they're closed Mondays.

This is my third visit, I got to tell you this place is enchanting and never loses it's charm! I ended up going on my birthday with my brother we hoy there early 9am and the weather was perfect! The cool breeze blowing on all the tall green trees the gorgeous koi pond waterfalls and fountains. You can hear nature all around, babbling brook water, birds chirping, koi fish splashing. Everywhere you look or turn it's breathtaking. They have very clean restrooms and the they have a very quaint gift shop that has authentic Japanese drinks and snacks. So many adorable items, the staff is just amazing ! Best place to spend a quiet peaceful day!

9/11/24 - Great place to walk around and enjoy a green tea or other nice beverage. Restrooms - Clean and at the entrance. Cool building.

I love this garden! I went to the full moon festival here this year and it's such a gorgeous garden. Even when there are no events here, it's still such a cute date spot. There's a little bridge, a tea house, a souvenir shop, lots of koi fish and many places to take cute pictures. If you get a chance to go to an event here though, I highly recommend it. They even had an international tea exhibit there recently which I unfortunately missed, but I'm planning on going next year!

While I enjoyed a refuge from the busy Phoenix, the Friendship Garden was similarly busy during my visit. I purchased my tickets online to save $2 each. Check in was on the slower side but everyone was polite. The garden was on the smaller side, we managed to traverse the entire path in 15 minutes. While there was an occasional bench, they were taken by other guests. Especially with the Arizona heat, it would have been nice to have more places to rest or stand under shade. The sidewalks were nicely paved and maintained. I particularly enjoyed the running water and overall tranquility. I could still hear noise from the nearby apartments and roads but it was minimal. Although it was called a friendship garden, I didn't find many statues or decor emphasizing such concept. Perhaps I would have been okay with the experience if it was free, but I didn't think it was worth $12. People could have paid more to experience a tour or workshop in which I felt like could have been included with the entry fee. While there could be some worth attending their festivals, I wouldn't visit during normal hours.

It was pricey for a garden, but a nice experience. Educational. It was packed on the day we went/when we tried to cross the bridge. The tea room is extra, I think a tour should be included if you aren't "having tea." It wasn't a huge "bang for your buck" like other museums around the area, it's only "ok", but it's not terrible.

I have been finding myself coming here a lot lately. As a Valley native, I am embarrassed to say that I only recently discovered this place. And I did so by accident when I was walking through nearby Margaret T. Hance Park. It doesn't take long to walk through this 3.5 acre garden. But if you take your time and take in the peacefulness of this area, it makes for a really nice time. The Japanese Friendship Garden is named Rohoen and is part of a partnership with Himeji, Japan. Himeji is one of Phoenix's ten sister cities around the globe that we do cultural and educational exchanges with. The opening of this garden was over 20 years ago. At the garden, you can take a stroll and enjoy the koi pond with fish, a 12-foot waterfall, the tea house and a number of sculptures. They have a large variety of plants and different types of rock throughout the garden. All that they ask is that you stay on the paved path (oops... I'll remember that next time). The Japanese Friendship Garden has done a great job of creating a space for serenity and relaxation. It is a beautiful garden that honors Japanese history and culture. I was surprised how quiet it is here at the garden considering all of the Downtown Phoenix crowds and vehicle traffic noise is just blocks away. Near the main entrance is a small gift shop that sells a variety of things including tea and other beverages. They also have restrooms near the entrance. Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix offers guided tours, tea ceremonies and public tea one Saturday of each month (October through June). Check out their website for event schedule and how to reserve tickets in advance. Admission to the garden is free every first Friday of each month from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM to coincide with the First Friday Art Walk. They also have a happy hour that takes place during this time.

The most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing experience up to date! The experience was breathtaking and each route you take you could see different perspectives. The bathrooms are really clean, and we can see why they are highly rated. There is lots of wildlife that is beautiful to watch.

Lovely botancial garden. There was a community event going on with some snacks, crafts, and demonstrations going on. Very cool.

Lovely garden in central Phoenix! Although small in comparison to other botanical gardens, I love this place as a calm oasis within a bustling city! The admission is affordable and a fair price for an hour or two of garden access. The water features are a highlight, as are the koi fish. There's a tea house on-site but I believe you have to make reservations ahead of time.

This place is amazing!!! We loved the Koi fish and the many trees. Get the Matcha green tea or a Cappuccino before the walk.

Such a Peaceful and Zen Place in Phoenix Arizona, Beautiful place if in Arizona you need to go and See this place you will love it. They also sell beer made in Japan and trinkets

We spent our day in Phoenix since the weather was so pleasant! We finally made the trek to the Japanese Friendship Garden after purchasing our tickets online. After picking up our entrance stickers, we got to enjoy the garden immediately. The paths are well paved, which allows ease with a baby stroller and to park them off to the side. The main attraction is the koi lake in the center and all the beautiful trees and flowers. We can't wait to bring our son back to appreciate the koi swimming around. Absolutely wonderful garden and happy to support them so it remains preserved!

Love Japanese gardens. This one didn't disappoint. Small enough to be able to walk through in 15 minutes, but big enough to sit and enjoy for longer if you choose. Be sure to order online as it saves you $2 per adult

The Japanese friendship garden in central Phoenix is a beautiful oasis, a calming and wonderful place to spend an hour walking around in serene nature. The gardens are quite small -- our party was able to walk around the main trail (which loops a large koi pond) in about an hour. There aren't many side trails or other areas beyond the main loop, and visitors are instructed to stay on the path at all times. Large sections of the walking trail are shaded by trees, but there are also many stretches that are not. Be careful and prepare to use protection from the heat and sun during hotter parts of the year. The koi pond is pretty, featuring a water fall and some areas where water plants like Lilly pads stretch beyond the banks. There are lots of beautiful koi to see swimming about. There are also a few good spots for taking photos.

I've been planning to come here for a long now after joining their mailing list. The Friendship Garden seems to always be hosting one kind of special event or another. As you may have read in other reviews, the garden is very small. That's why visiting when an event is taking place adds more value to your time there. If you've been to a Japanese garden before you'll know what to expect: streams, bridges, koi, waterfalls, stone lanterns, and beautiful plants. The garden is designed to be a peaceful and serene oasis in downtown Phoenix. For the $10/$12 entry fee (cheaper price is online) get your money's worth by walking around slowly and lingering. I paid $15 for the bonsai and pottery exhibit which gave us more to look at, but I don't think we were there more than 30 minutes, tops. I would agree that the entry fee is quite expensive for what you get.

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix has been on my to go list several times while visiting Phoenix from Las Vegas. Finally, on our last trip down there during New Years week, my family and I had a chance to stop by! The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is located in downtown Phoenix. There is a private parking lot of the Friendship Garden. There is also a nearby park that you can stop by if you're interested. Admission hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing. The current admission fees are the following Adults: 10$ (online) / $12 at gate Seniors: $8 (online) / $10 at gate Students: $7 (online) / $9 at gate Military: $7 (online) / $9 at gate Youth (ages 7-17): $7 (online) / $9 at gate Children (ages 0-6): Free Make sure to check out the website for upcoming exhibits. Some of the ones listed include the following Annual Bonsai & Pottery Exhibit 15th Annual Ikebana Exhibit There are a variety of events and workshops as well! All the events are listed on their website - https://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/events-workshops Walk-In Tours are available every Tuesday & Saturday at 11:00 A.M & 12:30 P.M. Group & Private Tours are available throughout the week from Wednesday to Friday only during September - May. The garden is absolutely beautiful. It's quite tranquil. I was surprised as soon as you walked in how quiet the garden was. There were a lot of people inside too! With the garden being located downtown, I thought I would have heard people and vehicles, but the garden was so quiet! The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is a 3.5-acre garden, which includes a tea garden and tea house. It has a 14-foot waterfall and a koi pond with over 300 koi fish! The garden has over 1500 tons of hand-picked rock, lanterns, and stone foot bridges. You'll also see 85 varieties of plants as you journey through the garden! My favorite part was just sitting on the bench and watching the waterfall. It was so serene. If you're walking through the garden, it'll take about 30 minutes, but you could easily spend several hours if you decide to take a break, sit on a bench, look at their koi, and go through their gift shop! You should visit this at least once!

Nice place to spend a slow morning admiring the art and nature space . Really calming with lots of benches for "pausing " and spending some time "in" . Admission was 14, but it's free on the first Friday of each month . Small gift shop with goodies and the place itself is also prettt small . We walked the whole thing in 10 min but spent time meditating and admiring the beauty . Bathrooms are cool too ! Sounds weird but true .

So peaceful and relaxing :) I went to Phoenix for Christmas with my family and I saw this place on tiktok. I did some research and thought it would be a great place to walk around, sit, talk with my family of four. If you purchase your tickets online, seniors get a discount! The walking trails were great and there were plenty of benches along the way. The pond had some koi fish in it and it was great to see everyone of all ages enjoying this beautiful and peaceful garden. It was great to take in the sounds and views. When someone asks you to picture your happy place, this place is what I picture!

Pricing was minimal, friendly staff, clean and well maintained. You can possibly walk the whole garden in 15-20 minutes. Nice place to walk to get your steps in. Also a nice place to not rush if you just want to explore and relax with a book or something. You can't sit on the rocks but they do have benches where you can rest on. I loved how they have so many beautiful koi fishes to admire!!! They have a mini stream and a mini waterfall to look at along the pathways. Such a relaxing atmosphere with little to no people...

For the chance to still away and have some mindful moments of quiet, I am eternally grateful. This beautiful hidden treasure was the perfect spot to enjoy the gentle breeze blowing through the trees as the Sun makes a lazy exit. In the neighboring park, children could be heard laughing and playing as they celebrated the freedom that Saturdays bring.

Extremely small Japanese garden even as far as gardens go, but a nice spot in downtown Phoenix. I have put off visiting as I heard the garden is small and didn't feel like paying the admission fee. HOWEVER I learned it is free during First Friday so here we are. The parking was packed, but additional street parking along W Latham St. Finished walking through the garden within 15 minutes - it's a figure 8 loop, where the loop intersection is a bridge across the artificially turquoise water. One waterfall, with benches for seating throughout if you get tired from the 0.3 walk. Highly recommend to visit during a First Friday. On First Friday, there was a makeshift folding table bar where you can purchase glasses of wine, etc. while you stroll. I didn't go into the gift shop, but from afar I saw small Japanese knick knacks, as well as snacks if you wanted to nibble. They have tea tasting available, but that was not available when I visited - check with the garden for scheduling/hours.

It's a nice spot but ultimately I don't think it's worth it. The $10 ($12 at the gate!) may seem very reasonable, but ultimately you can see everything in this place in about 15 minutes. That's not to say it is ugly or anything, but there is not much to see/do. As other reviewers have said, it certainly is relaxing. In fact my friend and I spent over an hour here. However, that's only because we had an ample amount of time to kill while waiting for our flight out of Sky Harbor. We could've accomplished the same thing for free sitting in the adjacent park next door. Maybe I'm being overly critical because I've been to nicer/bigger Japanese gardens in other cities. I'm not saying avoid this place, but temper your expectations.

This garden is an unsuspecting surprise in Phoenix. It's a beautiful garden that was designed by a Japanese architect utilizing plants that thrive in the Phoenix weather but pruned and trimmed with Japanese design. We were able to take a free guided tour of the garden and we learned so much from our guide. I definitely recommend going for a guided tour because it enhances your experience and you learn so much more about the garden and its history and the overall design. We were also informed of events that they hold at the garden. The one I would definitely try to go to if I was local would be their Japanese tea ceremony event. If you're interested in Japanese culture, gardens, or just want to learn new things I would definitely recommend visiting this place. It's voted as a top spot to visit in Phoenix for a reason.

Went here for an ikebana event earlier this year and for a celebration. Was peaceful and beautiful. Hard to imagine one is in the big city within the garden, Beautiful ambiance!! Well worth the experience! Here is a link of a stream I videoed from the garden! Enjoy! https://youtube.com/shorts/ugan3IEPaAk

Hidden gem in the downtown area with beautiful views and a place to hang out and enjoy tranquility amongst the hustle a bustle. You'd be surprised with the authenticity of the park. Everything is manicured and well kept. This place can be rented for private weddings and I'm sure would make for special memories.

A beautiful little Japanese garden. Definitely worth stopping at and taking a stroll.

The wife and I came here for our 23rd Wedding Anniversary and it was amazing. This garden is a hidden gem in Central Phoenix and should be visited at least once by everyone. We came to this garden for the Otsukimi Moon viewing Exhibit. The landscaping is exquisite...the man-made lake and waterfall are pristine, and the Koa fish were awesome. Some cool food vendors were selling Japanese shaved ice, donuts, and of course traditional Japanese tea. I highly recommend that anyone who visits Phoenix visit this establishment Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, my Friend's.

The creator is @arizonatravelideas from Tiktok. Such a great activity I hope to come back in a few weeks.

I came on a friend's of the garden day. It's a nice garden, but I felt it wasn't worth the 25 dollars per person that I paid that day. I guess also there are only so many kinds of plants you could use in a Japanese garden in Arizona. The Koi pond was really nice and huge.

This is definitely one of the most peaceful places I have been to in Phoenix! Literally in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, you come across this place that allows you to slow down and really take the time to gather your thoughts and re-center your life. I love the well shaded walking paths, the beautiful pond in the middle, and the various statues and works of Japanese art throughout the garden. Really excellent place that everyone should visit! :)

This is a pretty small park, but it is very well done and well maintained. If you can find a time when they are not having some kind of event, I think that would be the best time to visit if you are looking for a calm and traditional Japanese garden experience. The garden is well designed and contains all 6 elements that I learned are part of a traditional Japanese Garden: 1. Water (Mizu): Water represents life, tranquility, and purity. 2. Rocks (Ishi): Rocks symbolize mountains or islands and are strategically placed to evoke natural landscapes, creating focal points and pathways for contemplation. 3. Plants (Shokobutsu): Trees, shrubs, mosses, and flowers are carefully selected and arranged to reflect the changing seasons, providing a harmonious blend of colors, textures, and scents. 4. Bridges (Hashi): Bridges connect different areas of the garden and symbolize the journey from the mundane to the sacred, inviting contemplation and transition. 5. Lanterns (Toro): Lanterns illuminate paths and focal points during nighttime, adding a mystical ambiance and symbolizing enlightenment and spiritual guidance. 6. Stone Paths (Tobi-ishi): Stone paths guide visitors through the garden, encouraging mindfulness and a slow pace of exploration, fostering a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. I learned that this garden's koi pond has a shape that is a stylized representation of the character for "heart" or "spirit," kokoro (心). Though I have a hard time seeing that from the map, I think that is an interesting tidbit. Parking is about right for the size of the garden, though I feel that it is not quite sufficient for the *popularity* of the garden. I highly recommend visiting the garden's website to learn more about Japanese gardens in general and this one specifically and to save $2 a person by purchasing tickets ahead of time. The normal adult ticket price is $14 today. Parking is not extra, as long as you can find a spot in the lot. Their Virtual Garden Guide is like an interactive, environmentally-friendly version of the pamphlets we were given in the past.) Some people like to read while others prefer to just experience. I like both. I really like the big map with both Garden Guide (features of the garden) and Plant Guide (map broken into regions and then down to specific plants in the garden!) For example, in the Mountain (山）section, there is a Japanese Blueberry tree. You can select that plant's location on the map to identify it with a photo and the name, or select a feature and learn more about it -- like the lantern or bridges.

A very beautiful place! Went as an outing with my therapy group! I didn't get to take the whole tour!

Nice break between activities while visiting. Really great place come check it out. Lots of different plants and trees and calming water. Check out the Koi fish. They have a few waterfalls. Great place for pictures!

Free admission/pay as you wish admission first Friday of each month. The times for free admission are from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with the last admission at 7:00 PM. It's wonderful to have any kind of outdoor cultural center available. This one has been open for many years. Took my hubby to kick off his birthday weekend. This was his first time there. went right when they opened, plenty of parking and there were very few people walking. At the entrance, they have Japanese beer, sake, drinks, and snacks you can buy for your walk. The garden is beautiful, well kept & quiet., Lots of koi and plenty of ducks to admire - we spent some time on a bench listening to the waterfall and observing a mama duck and two of her ducklings; of course, the main draw is that the garden is Japanese-themed. The gift shop was cute and had many items related to the garden. The staff were friendly and polite. ADMISSION FEE Adults: $10 Seniors: $8 Students: $7 Military: $7 Youth (ages 7-17): $7 Children (ages 0-6): Free

Really high prices to go walk a total of 30ft and see the same things I could have seen from the street. The souvenir store fits 6 people maximum and even then you don't feel comfortable. If you want to pay $14 per person to take a walk around a place that has barely anything to show for it, be my guest.

It's kind of expensive for what it is, the garden is ok and the green tea was not very good.

Beautiful weekend day spent at the Japanese Friendship Garden. The grounds are beautiful and so peaceful to walk around and take in the gorgeous foliage and be one with nature.

First time here .. was told the real beauty happens in a few weeks.. but it was beautiful today anyway! Debra was very informative and friendly and we will def be back!

I'm torn on leaving a 3-star review on this, but that's how I left feeling... torn It's beautiful and relaxing, but you can stroll around and really feel done in 15 minutes. So, with that being said, I don't think it's worth the $10 entry (Online price or $12 at the gate). I'm torn over the location. I enjoy the juxtaposition of seeing the high-rise buildings protruding over the view of the lush green garden. At the same time, it ruins the illusion of being a peaceful hidden garden and you're reminded of being in downtown. I love the park nextdoor, but i don't love the noise of it as I'm walking through the garden. I'm torn over visiting again. Like I said, you walk around in under 15 minutes, but I may still visit again if I were alone and just wanting to read and sit in my own thoughts.