There is a
Japanese Tea Garden located inside of Golden Gate Park. It is the oldest Japanese Garden in the United States, built in 1894 as part of the World's Fair. There are over 5 acres to hike through that include a Koi pond, trees and plants imported directly from Japan, and several statues and structures. The gardens are immaculate, and there is definitely a feeling of peace in the air once you are inside. If you are in the area, this should definitely be on your short list of places to visit. You will not regret spending a few hours exploring.
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The south gate was created for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (which was the World's Fair held in San Francisco in celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal).
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Entrance to the Japanese Tea Garden |
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Koi in the pond |
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Crane statues |
The temple gate and pagoda from a distance
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The temple gate and pagoda, a little bit closer |
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Japanese pagoda close-up |
Side view of pagoda (OK, I really liked this structure).
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Stone pagoda |
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Steps that lead across the pond |
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Bronze lantern that has been in the park since 1912. |
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This bronze Buddha was originally cast in Japan in 1790. |
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Zen garden |
There is a Japanese Tea House located inside of the garden. My girlfriend and I are both big fans of Japanese food, so we decided to give it a try. We found the food to be mediocre at best, but it was a fun experience. We enjoyed the variety of teas they provided, and I discovered a love for melon Ramune soda.
Fun Fact: Fortune cookies are actually Japanese, and were first served in the US at the tea garden. Original fortune cookies were savory, but changed to a vanilla flavor to appeal to western palettes.
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Tea selections |
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Snacks and desserts |
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Miso (soup) and tea with O-musubi (rice balls), sesame fried chicken, shrimp dumplings in the background. |
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California rolls ( cucumber, avocado, crab) , o-inari (rice wrapped in seasoned, fried tofu), shrimp dumplings
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Melon flavored Ramune soda and manju (mochi filled with bean paste) |
Have you ever been to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park? What did you think?
26 comments:
I've never been but it looks gorgeous!
the japanese garden looks so peaceful and like a perfect place to spend a summer day. i really like the pagodas and landscaping!
That looks like such an incredible place!! It's so beautiful, and food looks delicious!
I really like the 3rd picture from the top. It is very pretty:)
it´s so beautiful! i loved spending time there! although i never checked out the tea house, because i am not really that much into japanese food! :-)
What a beautiful place to have lunch!
This place looks amazing Erin - great pictures too
Joanne
http://www.balletpumpsandroses.com
xx
That's gorgeous. I've been to Japanese gardens in many cities but never in SF. Thanks for sharing this gem in the city
So gorgeous. In my former cosmopolitan days I loved visiting formal gardens like these.
If I were in your area I would def. put this on my list.
Oh how amazing! I'll definitely have to check this out the next time I'm in SF!
These pictures are so beautiful! What a gorgeous place. I have never been to a Japanese Tea Garden before, but I have been wanting to for a few years.
I love the Japanese tea garden! We didn't try any of the food (I'd heard it wasn't that great) but I loved just roaming around and exploring the gardens. I want to do a photo sesh there someday.
I love that place! So calming and relaxing!
That food looks pretty good to me! I'd be interested in trying out all the snacks.
Strange that the Japanese garden and Panama have a connection!
The pics look great, Erin. It might seem cliche, but it does look for zen. Too bad the resto food is not that good:(
Ok another location i missed while in SF :/
I had never heard of Fortune cookies being japanese... how interesting.
Haven't been there in such a long time, thanks for reminding me to take the kids there. Looks like you got yourself a gorgeous day. I like the look of those scrummy titbits they serve.
Beautiful, I want to go there sometimes.
Love your blog, your header is so cute too.
Tab
my-cliffnotes.blogspot.com
Love Japanese inspired gardens, we have one or two here but nothing compared to this one. Its absolutely breathtaking!
How lovely. So neat to see your pictures of this interesting and historical place. I've been in the Japanese Garden in Vancouver and was so taken with the calmness and beauty.
All the food looks so good and the place is absolutely gorgeous!
great pictures
Oh it's so beautiful! Great pictures, it was like taking a mini vacation! Thanks!
The Zen garden looks so very nice.... and so do those mochis ;)
Wow...this is gorgeous. I didn't even know it was there.
this is EXQUISITE!!! i love the Koi in pond. So tranquil and peaceful. Yummy food! Thanks for sharing this treasure.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
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