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Japanese Tea Garden
Located inside Golden Gate Park, directly next door to the de Young Museum, this beautiful garden is a real treat for the senses and a wonderful oasis of calm in the middle of this busy city. There are beautifully sculpted gardens, miniature pagodas, small streams, stone lanterns, ponds containing huge koi fish, and cherry blossom trees. The scenery is very photogenic and there are so many intricate details to discover as you walk over the moon bridge and along the winding pathways. Take your time looking round. Don’t rush. There’s so much to enjoy here.
The garden was designed and developed by landscape gardener Baron Makato Hagiwara back in 1894 and was intended as a temporary exhibit for the World’s Fair in San Francisco. When the fair closed, however, Hagiwara decided it should remain and become a permanent feature. The Hagiwara family maintained the garden right up until 1942.
Spend a few tranquil moments in the meditative Zen Garden, dedicated at the same time as the 4082-kilogramme Lantern of Peace, as a symbol of friendship for future generations. Listen to the relaxing sound of the many water features while you kick back and enjoy the scenery.
Hagiwara brought 1000 cherry blossom trees all the way from Japan to the garden during its construction. Today, the Japanese Tea Garden, a glorious sight all year-round, is worth a visit during the spring when these trees and the garden’s many azaleas are in full bloom. These spectacular blooms are transient but bring real beauty to the garden at this time of year. For a visual treat, the autumn is another good time to visit, when the leaves present a rich and colourful display.
Overlooking the garden’s beautiful landscape and pond, you’ll find the Tea House. Finish your walk here by enjoying a refreshing cup of green or jasmine tea. Tuck into a steaming bowl of miso soup or buy a fortune cookie for a few words of wisdom. If you happen to be visiting on a Wednesday or a Friday morning, from mid-March to January, kimono-wearing staff members perform a traditional tea ceremony, demonstrating centuries-old rituals and practices that present the matcha, a powdered green tea.
Guide to Exploring Japanese Tea Garden
Top Japanese Tea Garden Hotel & Accommodation Deals
Per night/room
2 Sep. - 3 Sep.
Stanyan Park Hotel
750 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CALocated in Haight-Ashbury, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Golden Gate Park and University of California San Francisco. University of San Francisco and Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Per night/room
2 Sep. - 3 Sep.
Geary Parkway Motel
4750 Geary Blvd, Richmond District, San Francisco, CALocated in Richmond District, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, and California Academy of Sciences. Japanese Tea Garden and De Young Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Inner Sunset Studio Holiday
357 Iriving, San Francisco, CALocated in Sunset District, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Golden Gate Park and University of California San Francisco. California Academy of Sciences and Japanese Tea Garden are also within 15 minutes.
Per night/room
2 Sep. - 3 Sep.
Hotel Spero
405 Taylor St, San Francisco, CALocated in Downtown San Francisco, this romantic hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, and Cable Car Museum. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and San Francisco City Hall are also within 1 mi (2 km). Powell St. Station is 8 minutes by foot and Civic Center Station is 11 minutes.
145 Stanyan Street\ - 2 Br Apts
145 Stanyan Street, Unit #145, San Francisco, CALocated in Richmond District, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Golden Gate Park and University of San Francisco. California Academy of Sciences and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Per night/room
1 Sep. - 2 Sep.
BEI Hotel San Francisco
50 8th Street, San Francisco, CALocated in Downtown San Francisco, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Moscone Convention Center and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Oracle Park and Ghirardelli Square are also within 3 mi (5 km). Civic Center Station is only a 3-minute walk and Powell St. Station is 13 minutes.
Cole Valley Suite Holiday
121 Grattan Street, San Francisco, CALocated in Golden Gate, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Golden Gate Park, University of California San Francisco, and UCSF Medical Center. University of San Francisco and Castro Street are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Cole Valley Lower Apartment
119 Grattan Street, San Francisco, CALocated in Golden Gate, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Golden Gate Park and University of California San Francisco. University of San Francisco and Castro Street are also within 1 mi (2 km).