Everything You Need to Know About The Japanese Tea Garden

In 1894, California held a Midwinter International Exposition. It was on this site, originally just one acre, that a Japanese-style garden was built.

After the fair, Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese landscape architect, was tasked with maintaining the property as a permanent garden. It became Hagiwara’s life’s passion. As the official caretaker, he lovingly planted, tended, and cared for the trees and plants, expanding this masterpiece until it encompassed nearly five acres. Some of the trees in this garden are more than one hundred years old.

After strolling through the Garden, visit the Tea House. Traditional tea and small snacks are served daily.

While the menu is often updated, some of the regular offerings you should try include kuzomochi (sweet rice cakes), which have an interesting sticky, gummy texture and come in different flavors (strawberry, mango, green tea, and lychee), and dorayaki (a type of pancake with red bean filling). On a cold day, savor some hot miso soup or curb your noodle craving with traditional udon.

Of course, you can’t visit without sampling authentic Japanese teas. Choose from Sencha (green tea), Genmaicha (roasted green tea), Hojicha (another roasted green tea), jasmine tea, or iced green tea. There is also the special tea ceremony Matcha (powdered green tea).

Be sure to check out the beautiful keepsakes at the gift shop, including glazed ceramic sets, traditional Japanese dolls, and collectibles for any well-traveled visitor.

The Japanese Tea Garden is located at 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, near the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Muni buses and light rail can get you close to various Golden Gate Park entrances.

The Japanese Tea Garden is open all year long, even on holidays. Summer hours (Mar. 1 - Oct. 31) are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Winter hours (Nov. 1 - Feb. 28) are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the Garden is $15 for adult non-residents, $7 for non-resident seniors and youths (age 12-17), and $3 for non-resident children (age 5-11). Children under 4 may enter for free. Tickets can be purchased at sfjapaneseteagarden.org.

Spring and autumn are gorgeous times to visit, but no matter which season you are in San Francisco, the bonsai grove, zen garden, and Tea House are popular.  

During the summer months of June, July, and August, the Garden is generally more frequented by visitors and might not be as peaceful. Many people agree that the best time of the year to visit is spring. Mid-March to April will see cherry blossoms, azaleas, magnolias and more blooming in full color. However, autumn, with its fiery reds and fading orange hues, is also a lovely time.