Southwest Behavioral & Health Services

To experience the true essence of Japanese culture, visit the Arizona Matsuri Festival of Japan in downtown Phoenix every February. This popular event is one of the biggest Japanese festivals in the US, featuring over 60 vendors offering food and merchandise and exhibits by local schools, universities, and organizations. This event has four stages to witness thrilling performances, including Taiko drumming, martial arts displays, and traditional Japanese dance shows. The best part? It's completely free, and there are plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. This is an incredible opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Japan's vibrant culture and make unforgettable memories.

Find your green-thumb inspiration in the garden's Berlin Agave Yucca Forest or the Desert Wildflower Loop Trail at the Desert Botanical Garden, a naturalist's dream where they showcase more than 145 acres of stunning desert blooms, flora, and fauna year-round. The site opened in 1939 and now boasts over 21,000 plants, including outdoor exhibits and displays, specialty greenhouses, and endangered and fragile species preservation. One-third of the plants are native to the area, while the remaining plants come from all over the world, including special collections from Australia and Baja California. Ecosystems represented include mesquite bosque, semidesert grassland, and upland chaparral scrub.