A quiet morning in San Francisco can be hard to come by. At the Japanese Tea Garden, it’s free three days a week. The garden is a quiet refuge filled with greenery, pagodas and a diverse range of visitors. Free admission hour attracts many to the grounds, from families and couples to solo visitors with an open slot in their itinerary.
As guests are welcomed, they are instantly transported into a serene atmosphere far from the worries of daily life. Surrounded by the beauty of the Japanese maple trees, bamboo, twisting pines, carefully sculpted azaleas, Japanese cedars, and ginkgo biloba trees, along with the company of guests enjoying a pleasant morning, it would be difficult to be in a bad mood. Two friends catching up while looking out at the pond and lush greenery commented, “It’s nice that the free admission hour is in the morning when the sun isn’t too high in the sky.”
There’s much to explore, from the moon bridge that children climb on to the koi pond and the tea house, there is something for everyone. The moon bridge, also known as a “taiko-bashi,” symbolizes unity as the circle formed by the bridge represents a full moon. Along with that, the Pagoda Plaza was restored by Hoichi Kurisu in late 2024. It features Tatsuyama stones donated by the Matsushita Stonemason Co., Ltd from Takasago, Japan. It was built to serve as a space for people to socialize and appreciate the 109 year old pagoda which won the California Preservation Foundation’s 2023 Preservation Design Award for Craftsmanship/Preservation Technology. Additionally, the park offers 60-minute guided tours for those interested in the history and cultural significance of the different elements found throughout the garden.
A cashier at the tea house estimated that “about 70% of people who come to the tea garden are from out of town, [and] there are also many international visitors.” This is largely due to the offering of free admission hours, as multiple of the parties exploring the grounds heard about the park because of it. The staff members working at the tea house as well as those working at the gift shop are happy that the free hours bring in so many, allowing them to explore Japanese culture and lively community of friendly staff and engaged guests.
The Japanese Tea Garden is a prime example of a third place, and sets an example for more accessible activities in the city. A third place is a social space outside of home and work or school where people can gather, relax and connect with their community. This is especially heartwarming as cultural attractions should be readily available as a source of information and center for inclusion.
Visiting the tea garden is an incredibly versatile activity for USF students especially, as it is only 20 minutes away by way of the Muni if you take the 5 toward Ocean Beach. It’s a perfect spot for photos or deep conversations, and can easily be paired with a trip to the De Young Museum (free admission every Saturday from 9:30am-5:15pm), the California Academy of Sciences, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, or even a concert at the Bandshell which are often free and are posted on the San Francisco Recreation and Parks website.
The Japanese Tea Garden hosts a free admission hour 9–10 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
