The Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco is a beautiful and relaxing setting on the eastern side of Golden Gate Park. It's the oldest Japanese Tea Garden in the United States.
It was originally built in 1894 for the California Midwinter International Exposition. After the exposition, Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese immigrant, continued to care for and expand the garden.
Over the years, many landscape architects and others added to and cared for it. Today, it covers more than five acres of land.
Before you even enter, you'll see its first masterpiece - the entrance gate. This gate sits at the location where the original gate was built in 1894. The first gate fell into disrepair, so the city of San Francisco completed this new gate in 1985.
Once you enter the Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco, you'll see trails that lead in several directions. All of the trails weave through and circle around the park - so each one will take you by its many attractions.
Here are a few of my favorite things to see in the Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco.
High Arching Drum Bridge
The high arching drum bridge is part of one of the trails. It has wooden planks that allow you to climb up and over it. Many people love to take their picture on top with the beautiful trees in the background.
If you prefer not to climb over, you can also hop on another trail and walk around either side.
Five Story Pagoda
This five story Pagoda is another one of my favorite attractions in the Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco. It was originally built for the Japanese Exhibit at the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Francisco. It was moved here shortly after the exposition ended.
Dwarf Tree Collection
The Dwarf Tree Collection sits on Waterfall Hill. This tree collection was privately owned for many years. The park received it and moved it here in 1965.
You will see several varieties planted on the hill. Each has an unusual shapes was created using specialized training techniques developed by the Japanese over several decades.
Zen Garden
This relaxing Zen garden was added to the Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco in 1953. These types of places were originally created with a religious or mythological meaning in mind. They were designed to help aid those on the search for enlightenment.
While you can't enter it, there are several benches and places to enjoy it along the walking path.
Visiting Tips
This SF gem is beautiful all year long. If you are lucky enough to visit during March or April - you will see it at the most beautiful time - when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom!
The Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco is open every day - and does not have any holiday closures. From November to February, you can visit between 9am to 4:45pm. From March to October, you can visit anytime between 9am to 6pm.
You can also look around free for one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 9am to 10am.
