Description

Essentials about the Japanese Tea Garden in brief

Fans of Japanese garden art will find their happiness at the Japanese Tea Garden. Located in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the five-acre Tea Garden is a beautiful example of the natural beauty, tranquility and harmony of a Japanese garden.

The history of the Japanese Tea Garden

The garden was created on the occasion of the California Midwinter International Exposition in 1894. After the exposition ended, Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara was allowed to continue maintaining the garden. He devoted all his fortune and talent to creating the perfect Japanese garden, expanding the area of the Japanese Tea Garden from the original one acre to five. A small but important side note: Makoto Hagiwara also introduced the fortune cookie to the United States in the late 19th century.

In 1942, Makoto Hagiwara’s descendants met the same fate as tens of thousands of other Japanese living in the United States. In the wake of World War II, the family was imprisoned in an internment camp and was not allowed to return to San Francisco after the war ended. Fortunately, the Japanese Tea Garden was not a casualty of the war and, with its pagodas, stone lanterns, koi ponds and Zen garden, is one of the most popular parks and oases of tranquility in all of San Francisco. If you want to experience the cherry blossoms, you should visit the garden in March or April.

Website

japaneseteagardensf.com

Opening hours

Opening hours Mar. – Oct.:

Admission fees

Adults: $9.00

Seniors (Ages 65+): $6.00

Teenagers (Ages 12 – 17): $6.00

Children (Ages 5 – 11): $2.00

Small children (Ages 4 and under): free

Mon., Wed. and Fri.: free entry before 10 am

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Bus lines 5 and 5R: Stop Fulton St & Park Presidio Blvd

Bus lines 28, 28R and 91: Stop Park Presidio Blvd & Fulton St

By car:

There are no parking facilities in the immediate vicinity of the Japanese Tea Gardens.