Japanese Tea Garden

The Basics

San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the US. Many visitors walk its five acres (two hectares) quickly while others pace more slowly, using the meticulously designed landscape features—such as Japanese maples, Buddha statues, and stepping stones—as tools for reflection and contemplation. The property’s teahouse pavilion, which serves light snacks and an assortment of traditional and modern-style teas, and adjacent gift shop are a hub of activity.

Many San Francisco tours cruise through Golden Gate Park, and some popular tour packages include entrance to the garden. But most Segway, self-guided surrey, and hop-on hop-off bus tours take you to the garden but do not include the entrance fee.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Japanese Tea Garden is a must-see for Japanophiles and lovers of the outdoors.

• Families with small children will enjoy watching fish swim around in the koi ponds and walking around the sunken garden.

• Wear sturdy walking shoes—the garden has many uneven and slippery surfaces—and layers to ensure that you keep warm in San Francisco’s unpredictable climate.

• Admission is free before 10am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

• Due to its uneven surfaces and rocky paths, the garden is not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.

How to Get There

The Japanese Tea Garden is located in Golden Gate Park, right near the DeYoung Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and San Francisco Botanic Garden. MUNI’s 44-O’Shaughnessy, 5-Fulton, 21-Hayes, and N-Judah streetcar all stop within walking distance of the garden’s entrance. If driving, there is a parking lot at the Music Concourse and free on-street parking throughout the park.

When to Get There

The garden opens at 9am every day of the year, and closes at 4:45pm November through February and 6pm March through October. Arrive before 10am to experience the garden’s pre-crowd tranquility, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom (March and April) is worth braving the flocks of visitors.

The Establishment of the Garden

Today’s Japanese Tea Garden was originally created as a Japanese Village exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition. Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara and Golden Gate Park superintendent and horticulturalist John McLaren reached an agreement for Mr. Hagiwara to create and maintain a permanent Japanese-style garden as a gift to the citizens of San Francisco. Many of the bonsai trees maintained by Mr. Hagiwara now tower over the teahouse, main gate, and gardens.

What are the operating hours of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, and is there an admission fee?

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco is open daily from morning until early evening from March to October—it closes an hour earlier from November through February. There’s an admission fee that you can pay either online or at the door, except between 9am and 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when admission is free.

What are the main attractions and highlights of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco?

The highlights of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco are its 5-story pagoda; a strolling garden with flowers and trees; a koi pond with waterfalls; the crescent-shaped Drum Bridge; a late 18th-century Buddha statue; a tea house; and a bronze Lantern of Peace, a gift from Japan.

Can you participate in traditional tea ceremonies at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco?

You can participate in traditional tea ceremonies at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco—they’re appointment-only and available on Wednesday and Friday. The tea house in the garden serves traditional Japanese matcha, snacks, and teas in an atmospheric setting: among them are Sencha, Genmaicha, Hojicha, and Jasmine teas.

Are there guided tours available for exploring the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco?

Yes, there are guided tours available for exploring the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. Some tour companies offer free 1-hour walking tours of the garden with a suggested donation. Other private companies also offer tours of the garden or stop by on their routes through Golden Gate Park.

Is the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco accessible for wheelchair users and individuals with mobility challenges?

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco has some wheelchair-accessible paths. You can find accessible parking spots nearby at the Bandshell All-Accessible Lot and along Martin Luther King Drive. The Conservatory of Flowers and Botanical Garden offers more wheelchair-accessible pathways and a limited number of wheelchairs to borrow.

Can you bring food and drinks to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco?

No, you cannot bring food and drinks into the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. However, you can stop at the Tea House inside the garden for a cup of traditional Japanese tea, snacks, and small dishes such as udon noodles with broth, tea house cookies, green tea cheesecake, and other treats.