JAPANESE TEA GARDEN :: the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States

History

Originally developed as the Japanese Village for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Tea Garden is now one of the most visited attractions in San Francisco. Landscape gardener Makoto Hagiwara designed the bulk of the rural-style garden, and was officially appointed caretaker in 1895. The Hagiwara family lived in a 17-room house in the Sunken Garden area for the next 48 years, until they were evicted in 1942 during the hysteria surrounding World War II. In the years to follow, many Hagiwara family treasures were removed or destroyed, but new additions were also made.

Today the Garden boasts many beautiful monuments, buildings, statues and bridges, but is in need of upgrades. In spring 2011 the San Francisco Parks Trust funded site improvements which included replacing the Tea House’s east side patio; installing basalt rock edging next to the gift shop and Buddha statue; and installing landscape stones in various areas throughout the garden.

DID YOU KNOW ?

• San Francisco is the birthplace of the fortune cookie? In 1916 Los Angeles noodle manufacturer David Jung claimed to be the inventor of the fortune cookie but a San Francisco court ruled that Makoto Hagiwara, caretaker of Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden, was the creator of the cookies, which he served to guests of the gardens.
• The three spectacular gates in the garden were built by Japanese craftsmen trained in the art of traditional carpentry. Constructed from Japanese Hinoki Cypress, the gates were built entirely without the use of nails.
• The Tea House is open daily. Relax and enjoy and meditative cup of tea overlooking the peaceful waters of the garden.
• In the 1990's San Francisco Parks Trust paid to send SF city gardeners to Japan to learn traditional Japanese pruning and gardening techniques.
• The Drum Bridge is one of the Garden's most notable icons.
• The Classical Zen Garden was designed by Nagao Sakurai.
• Lantern of Peace was given by the Japanese government in 1953 as a gesture of reconciliation
• The Buddhist Pagoda or "Treasure Tower" replaced Hagiwara's Shinto Shrine.
• The Bronze Buddha was presented in 1949 by S.&G. Gump & Company.
• The landscaped Mt. Fuji Hedge was dedicated in 1979 in honor of Makoto Hagiwara, who was born near Mt. Fuji
• The Hagiwara Gate is a great picture spot.

JAPANESE TEA GARDEN :: the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States

History

Originally developed as the Japanese Village for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Tea Garden is now one of the most visited attractions in San Francisco. Landscape gardener Makoto Hagiwara designed the bulk of the rural-style garden, and was officially appointed caretaker in 1895. The Hagiwara family lived in a 17-room house in the Sunken Garden area for the next 48 years, until they were evicted in 1942 during the hysteria surrounding World War II. In the years to follow, many Hagiwara family treasures were removed or destroyed, but new additions were also made.

Today the Garden boasts many beautiful monuments, buildings, statues and bridges, but is in need of upgrades. In spring 2011 the San Francisco Parks Trust funded site improvements which included replacing the Tea House’s east side patio; installing basalt rock edging next to the gift shop and Buddha statue; and installing landscape stones in various areas throughout the garden.

DID YOU KNOW ?

• San Francisco is the birthplace of the fortune cookie? In 1916 Los Angeles noodle manufacturer David Jung claimed to be the inventor of the fortune cookie but a San Francisco court ruled that Makoto Hagiwara, caretaker of Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden, was the creator of the cookies, which he served to guests of the gardens.
• The three spectacular gates in the garden were built by Japanese craftsmen trained in the art of traditional carpentry. Constructed from Japanese Hinoki Cypress, the gates were built entirely without the use of nails.
• The Tea House is open daily. Relax and enjoy and meditative cup of tea overlooking the peaceful waters of the garden.
• In the 1990's San Francisco Parks Trust paid to send SF city gardeners to Japan to learn traditional Japanese pruning and gardening techniques.
• The Drum Bridge is one of the Garden's most notable icons.
• The Classical Zen Garden was designed by Nagao Sakurai.
• Lantern of Peace was given by the Japanese government in 1953 as a gesture of reconciliation
• The Buddhist Pagoda or "Treasure Tower" replaced Hagiwara's Shinto Shrine.
• The Bronze Buddha was presented in 1949 by S.&G. Gump & Company.
• The landscaped Mt. Fuji Hedge was dedicated in 1979 in honor of Makoto Hagiwara, who was born near Mt. Fuji
• The Hagiwara Gate is a great picture spot.