San antonio japanese tea garden san antonio, tx land8. Japanese tea gardens, san antonio having fun in the. The convenient hopon, hopoff doubledecker bus tour stops at highlights including the alamo, pearl brewery, san antonio museum of art, and more. They give me insight into a new city and allow me a quiet respite away from the noise and crowds of the touristy areas for awhile. Initially founded north of the present downtown area, in 1722 the presidio was. The 343acre city park houses the san antonio zoo and a. Japanese tea garden japanese tea garden in san antonio texas.
Brought to you by the jingu family descendants, we welcome you to share part of our japanese american culture by exploring our rich family history. Landa library gardens gardens read books while enjoying the scent adn freshness of. It is known as a place that marches to the beat of its own drum, where there is never a dull moment. See san antonio three ways with this combination bus, boat, and viewing tower experience. Print cite official set of policies by the mexican government directed against mexican citizens and residents of japanese ancestry. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the japanese tea garden or bike the san antonio mission trail. The location has an abundance of history and is located near brackenridge park, sunken gardens theater and the city zoo. The park houses several plaques explaining its rich history. The japanese tea garden, or sunken gardens, is a registered texas historical landmark. This tour covers 10 miles of discovery, exploring the renovated pearl brewery, passing through the stunning brackenridge park, and enjoying the serene beauty of san antonios hidden gem. The tea garden is pet friendly, as long as they are on a leash. Book your tickets online for japanese tea gardens, san antonio. Do you know of an elaborate picture book about the sunken garden its history, construction, world war ii, revival, the drought years.
The japanese tea gardens are considered san antonios best kept secret. Welcome to the tea for texas website where you have inside access to the history of the japanese tea garden in san antonio, texas. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. About the japanese tea garden reopened in march 2008, with fanfare that. Japanese tea garden the city of san antonio official. How world war ii changed history at san antonios japanese tea. Park commissioner ray lambert revealed another improvement he is planning this is to be a lily tank which will be located in the. Come visit one of san antonios historical jewels centrally located, just a short. San antonios japanese tea gardenonce an abandoned rock quarrystands today as a lush landscape with limestone bridges, ponds filled. Though many of its attractions are still a part of the garden today, there have been changes throughout the history of the garden. San antonio electric scooter tour to the japanese tea garden. Nov 10, 20 explore dennis sheehys photos on flickr. The sightseeing boat cruises down the scenic san antonio river walk. A sign of the times in san antonio the texas observer.
The japanese tea garden of san antonio was a prewar tourist attraction that was managed by a resident japanese american family, the jingus. We recommend booking japanese tea gardens tours ahead of time to secure your spot. For reservation and photo permit information, click here for information and updates about the jingu house cafe, click here please follow all city regulations and practice social distancing when enjoying the garden. But a visitor to the japanese tea garden in brackenridge park could be confused. Some are highlighted in the video below including where we stayed in san antonio. The intriguing history of san antonios japanese tea garden. Japanese tea garden the city of san antonio official city website. Japanese tea gardens, san antonio july 30, 2017 built in an old rock quarry, the japanese tea gardens are one of the hidden jewels of san antonio, and as i say so many times, if you never get beyond the riverwalk or theme parks. This ensemble features complex yet beautiful rhythmic and harmonic counterpoint, fluid ensemble improvisation, and a. Japanese tea garden san antonio, texas atlas obscura.
Travel to san antonio usa san antonio texas visit san. Things to do near japanese tea gardens on tripadvisor. Book jingu house for your next wedding, social, or corporate event. A japanese pogado that was constructed in the 1920s adds to the cultural element of the garden. S, army and was selling his watercolor paintings in a shop in downtown san antonio.
Brackenridge park japanese tea garden the cultural landscape. The japanese garden was high up on my list of things to do in san antonio. The sculpture remains as a significant historical artifact. Japanese tea garden, brackenridge park, san antonio, texas.
Visitors to the garden can learn about its history through numerous plaques that are strategically placed throughout the tea garden. My book published in 2005 is titled chinese heart of texas because for the 1st hundred years of that history more chinese lived in san antonio. Artist jingu had recently arrived in san antonio with his family, had been employed by the u. The garden is small and not much walking is required, so you can visit easily and at your own pace. The japanese tea garden has a glorious history of over 90 years, from the time it was an operating rock quarry to today, as one of the most loved, educational and cultural resources in san antonio. San antonio, tx the handbook of texas online texas. After the japanese attack on pearl harbor, the family members were evicted from the property, and. Take the river walk to the north and youll find museums filled with everything from picassos to western memorabilia and the pearl, an exciting culinary and shopping destination. San antonio vacation texas homes for sale san antonio missions texas history texas travel photo location world heritage sites historical sites national parks.
A move to restore the japanese tea garden came in the 2005 bond election to repair the pavilion. The japanese tea garden is open every day from dawn until dusk and admission is free. This historic site and museum includes a hill and pond garden with a tiered waterfall, island, and koi fish, a tea garden featuring a traditional tea house, and a. You walk lower and lower into the sunken garden and are greeted by koi ponds and an abundance of yellow, orange, and purple flowers. The first mention of the japanese tea garden site came at the end of an article in the san antonio light on october 11, 1916. The garden had been closed while the san antonio parks and recreation department and the san antonio parks foundation completed. About the japanese tea garden reopened in march 2008, with fanfare that included a serenade of japanese songs by tafoyalla middle school japanese students, keyboard by carol gulley, calligraphy and origami demonstrations, and an enormous koishaped cake. The san antonio japanese tea garden also known as the sunken gardens in the u. In the wake of rumors over potential subversion by ethnic japanese in case of a japanese military attack on mexico, beginning in january. Founded as a spanish mission and colonial outpost in 1718, the city became the first chartered civil.
Japanese tea garden in brackenridge park 3853 north st. See all 2 japanese tea gardens tours on tripadvisor. The garden opened in an abandoned limestone rock quarry in the early 20th century. Commissioner lambert enlisted the aid of a japanese artist kimi eizo jingu to assist in the design of an authentic japanese tea garden. A gorgeous garden oasis with winding paths, stone bridges, and a troubling history. Brought to you by the jingu family descendants, we welcome you to share part of our japaneseamerican culture by exploring our rich family history. Known as the chinese tea garden or sunken gardens from the 1940s, it regained its original name in a rededication ceremony in october 1984.
The san antonio japanese tea garden, or sunken gardens in brackenridge park, san antonio, texas, usa opened in an abandoned limestone rock quarry in. You may wonder why the ornate entry gate at san antonios japanese tea garden instead says chinese tea garden. San antonio japanese tea garden san antonio, texas. These are the activities we enjoyed during our time in san antonio. Top things to do near japanese tea gardens, san antonio, tx. Shofuso japan america society of greater philadelphia. The japanese tea garden is a mustsee for botanical garden enthusiasts, japanophiles, familieskids especially enjoy checking out the koi in the fish pondand those looking for a serene oasis in san antonio. The quarry was shaped into a complex that included walkways, stone arch bridges, an island and a japanese pavilion. I love visiting a citys outdoor parks and public spaces. Without a doubt one of the worlds greatest cities, san francisco, ca is vibrant, eccentric, spectacularly beautiful, and rich in history. Japanese tea garden, sunken gardens, san antonio, texas.
Discover japanese tea garden in san antonio, texas. After the japanese attack on pearl harbor, the family members were evicted from the property, and the site was rechristened the chinese tea garden. Things to do near japanese tea gardens, san antonio, tx. Japanese tea garden san antonio densho encyclopedia. The jingus maintained the garden and raised eight children while living on the site. Park commissioner ray lambert revealed another improvement he is planning this is to be a lily tank which will. The san antonio japanese tea garden, also known as the chinese sunken gardens, is a registered texas historical landmark with over 90 years of rich history. Unique japanese tea garden, san antonio, tx duration. Kids in need of a wildlife fix and some room to roam will find both at brackenridge park. Liz n mike added a new photo at san antonio japanese tea garden.
It was known also as chinese tea gardens, chinese tea garden gate, chinese sunken garden gate and is listed on the u. Formerly an abandoned limestone quarry, the site was the source of limestone for much of san antonio, and thus played a prominent role in the development of the cement business. In 2007, international artist hiroshi senju, inspired by the gardens waterfall, donated 20 contemporary murals to shofuso, which are permanently displayed inside the house. Things to do in san antonio texas missions, tea garden.