Japanese Tea Garden

Sasha Rivera a month ago

First time visiting in June at 10:30am & had the best time! No construction on a Saturday morning, but super packed. A wedding going on, quinceañera photos, engagement shoots. Everyone was kind and respectful but also each enjoyed their space. Photographers should really bring their clients during the week to avoid the congestion on weekends. Definitely bring a portable/hand-held fan & water to keep yourself cool because it is HOT & minimal shade as you walk throughout. The koi fish are big & cute turtles pop up in the water. The parking lot for the garden is super small but there’s a big parking lot right to it with a white building, or park along the road.

Melomar 3 months ago

I went on a Wednesday and real early. It was not packed and was able to enjoy my walk around the garden. Its real nice, peaceful and allowed me to just sit and enjoy the nature sounds of birds and seeing butterflies hop from one flower to the next. Very nice to just walk and reflect. I went in the morning so I could avoid the heat. I wish I could have stayed longer but it was real nice.

Aylin Weyh 4 months ago

Took the whole family here and it did not disappoint! My son and daughter absolutely loved the views — the koi ponds, the stone bridges, and the 60-foot waterfall are genuinely stunning. It's one of those places where the kids just naturally slow down and take it all in. It's free admission, which makes it even better. The garden sits inside what used to be an old limestone quarry, so the layout is sunken and really unique — you walk through shaded pathways, cross little stone arch bridges, and can climb up to get a great view of the whole garden from above. Budget about 45 minutes to an hour, though we could have easily stayed longer just soaking in the scenery. There's a café on site — Jingu House — serving Asian-fusion food, boba teas, and drinks if you want to grab a bite after walking around. Great spot to sit and relax. A couple of tips: go early, especially on weekends, because it does get crowded and the pathways are narrow. The area near the waterfall is especially popular for photos. Also note that while parts of the garden have ramps, not all pathways are stroller or wheelchair friendly — there are some uneven stairs. Parking is right at the entrance but fills up fast

Tim Payne 7 months ago

I had high expectations for the Japanese Tea Garden given the beautiful photos I’d seen, but unfortunately, the reality didn't live up to the hype. While it’s a unique piece of history being an old quarry, the experience was disappointing for a few reasons. The Issues: Lack of Maintenance: This was the biggest letdown. While walking the stone paths, I had to dodge dog poop in two different spots. It’s frustrating to see such a scenic location not being kept clean or monitored for pet owners following the rules. Empty Ponds: I was looking forward to seeing the famous koi, but there were barely any fish to be found during our walk. It made the ponds feel a bit stagnant and empty rather than lively. Smaller Than Expected: Based on the maps and photos, I expected a much larger area to explore. You can really see the whole thing in a very short amount of time; it’s much more compact than it appears in travel guides. The Silver Lining: It’s Free: The only real saving grace is that there is no admission fee. Because it’s free, it’s not a total loss of a trip, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again unless I knew the maintenance issues were addressed. #JapaneseTeaGarden #SanAnt

AJ 7 months ago

I brought my wife here as a Valentine’s surprise, and we ended up having such a peaceful, beautiful experience. The koi fish were stunning, and the waterfall was absolutely mesmerizing. We loved wandering through the different paths and taking our time exploring each area. It was definitely busy on the weekend, so I’d recommend going right when they open or visiting on a weekday if you want a quieter experience. Overall, it was a lovely and relaxing spot that made for a perfect Valentine’s outing.