Welcome to the
ADDRESS
Golden Gate Park
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
HOURS
Spring - Summer Hours
March - October
9:00am - 6:00pm
Fall - Winter Hours
November - February
9:00am - 5:00pm
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Free Hour
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9:00am - 10:00am
ADMISSION
Non Resident Admission
| Adults:
(February – November) (December – January) (Weekends year-round) |
$14 $12 $16 |
|
| Seniors (ages 65+ w/ID) | $7 | |
| Youth (ages 12-17) | $7 | |
| Children (ages 5-11) | $3 | |
| Children (under 5) |
|
|
| San Francisco Residents, Veterans, and Gardens of Golden Gate Park Members |
|
Gardens of Golden Gate Park Pass
| Adults | $28 | |
| Seniors (ages 65+ w/ID) | $21 | |
| Youth (ages 12-17) | $21 | |
| Children (ages 5-11) | $9 | |
| Children (under 5) |
|
|
| San Francisco Residents, Veterans, and Gardens of Golden Gate Park Members |
|
MUSEUMS FOR ALL
All visitors receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) are offered free general admission. Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a valid EBT card upon entry. Full-priced admission to special exhibitions, events, and programs still applies.
SCHOOL
GROUPS
Visiting school groups may be admitted free of charge only after advanced notice and prior approval. Due to limited space, group size is limited to 30 students. Please review and submit a visit request form. Please note that submission of your request does not guarantee approval, you will receive an email letting you know of your status.
HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES
Under guidance from local and state health authorities, the Japanese Tea Garden’s reopening accounts for the following health precautions. For the health and safety of Japanese Tea Garden visitors and staff, please follow our new guidelines:
Showing Symptoms
If you do not feel well or have symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and avoid close contact with others, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Face Coverings
People who are outdoors in close proximity to other people who are not part of their Household are strongly encouraged to wear a Well-Fitted Mask.
Restrooms
Restrooms are open. Restrooms right outside the gates behind the Music Bandshell are also open and available for visitors.
ABOUT US
The Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Japanese Tea Garden is a part of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. The Gardens of Golden Gate Park is a public/private partnership between San Francisco Botanical Garden Society, a community-based nonprofit organization, and San Francisco Recreation and Parks, that unites San Francisco Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and Japanese Tea Garden.
HISTORY
Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the site originally spanned about one acre and showcased a Japanese style garden. When the fair closed, Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara and superintendent John McLaren reached a gentleman’s agreement, allowing Mr. Hagiwara to create and maintain a permanent Japanese style garden as a gift for posterity. He became caretaker of the property, pouring all of his personal wealth, passion, and creative talents into creating a garden of utmost perfection. Mr. Hagiwara expanded the garden to its current size of approximately 5 acres where he and his family lived for many years until 1942 when they, along with approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, were forced to evacuate their homes and move into internment camps. When the war was over, the Hagiwara family was not allowed to return to their home at the tea garden and in subsequent years, many Hagiwara family treasures were removed and new additions were made. To learn more about the history of the Japanese Tea Garden visit our historical timeline.
TODAY
Today, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April.
SUPPORT
Become a Gardens of Golden Gate Park Member! Join or Renew
Donate to support the Gardens of Golden Gate Park
TOURS
Enjoy a walking tour of the Japanese Tea Garden led by San Francisco City Guides. View Tours.
TEA HOUSE
Enjoy a meditative cup of tea and sample popular Japanese refreshments in the newly refurbished Tea House, featuring a custom-designed irori or farmhouse style family table. The Tea House is nestled in the center of The Japanese Tea Garden and overlooks the picturesque landscape and South-facing pond.
Tea House Menu – The Fortune Cookie
According to family members, Mr. Hagiwara introduced fortune cookies to the United States from Japan in the 1890’s or early 1900’s. Initially, the cookies were made on site by hand using a special iron mold or kata. When demand grew, Mr. Hagiwara hired San Francisco confectioner Benkyodo to produce the fortune cookies in large quantities. Original fortune cookies made in Japan were savory rather than sweet, and it is believed that Benkyodo developed a vanilla recipe for Mr. Hagiwara to make it more appealing to Western palates, the flavor that is now widely popular across the U.S. The tradition of serving fortune cookies to Tea Garden visitors continues today; one is tucked inside every bowl of Japanese rice crackers or arare sold at the Tea House.
GIFT SHOP
Located above the Tea House on the Terrace level.
Purchase authentic Japanese items including tea and sake sets, glazed ceramic bowls and vases, kokeshi and daruma dolls, a variety of green teas, maneki neko figurines, and children’s collectibles. Like the Tea House, the Gift Shop possesses distinctively Japanese style in its architecture and interior design.
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Contact Us
Golden Gate Park
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
info@gggp.org
415-661-1316