Japanese Tea Gardens Reviews

I’ve visited gardens in Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo. Even though this garden isn’t anything comparable to those in Japan, it does give the visitor a pleasant experience and offer a taste of what a Japanese garden is like. I suspect that that it is a lot grander and more intricate than most Japanese gardens in other U.S. cities.

Not only is this hidden gem gorgeous, but it’s also free!
There’s a small shop that has snacks and drinks. I went in the middle of the afternoon and it was hot, but not too crowded.
Very close to the zoo and a park if you’re looking for other nearby activities.

We spent hours here just enjoying the wonderful stone architecture, the pools with all of the coy fish, the beautiful flowers and trees and the trails around the property. There was no cost to enjoy this spectacular place. It's just such a quiet and serene place. This was the highlight of our San Antonio visit.

We only heard of this when we mentioned we would be heading to the airport and someone recommended visiting this because it was on the way. We were so happy we took the advice. The garden, ponds, architecture and beauty was stunning. It would be easy to linger here for a long time or take a short 20 minute walk.

It is very beautiful, definitely come visit this place. The Japanese Tea Garden is small but has a lot of unique views.

Don't miss this lovely free garden. We were here several years ago and enjoyed it so very much so made sure we went again on this 2nd trip to San Antonio. The area is peaceful and serene and the gardens are well cared for.

Beautiful Garden. We enjoyed walking through it and took a lot of pictures. It was definitely worth it.

This was a surprise that we did when we had a little extra time to kill. A very pretty and peaceful place. My son enjoyed the trails and watching the koi. I enjoyed the serenity.

The gardens are very beautiful. We went during the week so there was not many people. It was quiet and serene with lots of birds enjoying the gardens as well. The fact you can enjoy them free of charge is a huge bonus.

This was beautifully made it's so peaceful to walk around and enjoy the gardens. It's a big loop. The fish and turtles and so enjoyable to watch. This was a highlight of my day while I was in San Antonio. It's free admission and there are bathrooms and a coffee house / Cafe if you want to get something. Definitely worth checking out.

We visited in mid-February -so not the best time for garden viewing. The grounds is well planned and must be gorgeous when everything is in bloom.

Absolutely beautiful! I was very impressed with the Japanese Tea Gardens. The flowers, the small ponds, the waterfall, the hut, all of it is so pretty. There were multiple people there taking pictures (graduation photos, maternity photos, etc.), I know their pics are going to turn out amazing. 10/10 recommend! Great scenery, very peaceful. I’m sure my film camera pics are going to turn out great, as well.

It was free. Near zoo. Limited free parking on site. No food service or refreshments available the day we visited. Public Water fountain was working. No signage for directions or information. Not sure if there were restrooms. There was restoration or maintenance going on with a building that maybe snack area or restrooms. Many steps, steep or rocky paths without many hand rails. Walkways over, around or near water feature maybe be challenging with children or unsteady folks. Take care. Some shade and a few benches.

While it appears small, it is beautiful. It does have a tiny waterfall, but there are a lot of walking trails. The koi pond is also nice. Make sure to take comfortable shoes.

The Japanese Tea Gardens were well worth seeing.
I highly recommend it.
Very close to the San Antonio zoo.
Lots of parking.
A snack bar and small restaurant are available,as well as, restrooms.

Admission is free♥️ Gardens are beautiful♥️ Oodles of trails♥️ Numerous pounds live with koi fish♥️ Plenty of options for great photos♥️

I chose Boba Matcha Tea which was a mistake. It tasted like a bad gas station buy☹️ Not suitable for children under five do to safety hazards-very minimal railing (even in drop off areas)☹️

Would be great for couples, friends, or families with teens.

A very serene and peaceful attraction, the Japanese Tea Gardens are close to downtown San Antonio. Parking and entry to the gardens is free. At the entrance of the garden, there is an oriental style gate followed by a few steps which leads into a pavilion. The view from the pavilion is sweeping, the large koi pond, beautifully curated greenery, well laid out pathways and the waterfall in the distance are all visible and makes for a breathtaking vista. There are plenty of spots to take some wonderful pictures. The sight of fish and turtles swimming around in the clear water was refreshing. There are a sizable number of stone stairs, at the entrance as well as throughout the grounds. Some of the stairs are uneven, and some of the paths are narrow, while none of them were difficult to navigate, I'd guess walking around with strollers might prove tedious.

This place was so beautiful! If you are looking for something free to do when the weather is nice, this place is awesome! Really great nature and plenty of room to roam.

Beautiful place to visit and burn time. We took a lot of photos and enjoyed all of the trails, plants, and views.

This is a beautiful place to visit. I was not expecting much as it was January, but it was beautiful! Make sure and wear good walking shoes. The paths can be quite rough especially if you walk to the top of the waterfall.

The tea garden is amazing and beautiful. A very fun way to take a walk and enjoy a beautiful Texas day.

Amazing beautiful location. The gardens provide a lovely & tranquil location in San Antonio. It’s a great place to take photos of nature as well as your loved ones with lovely backgrounds.

We enjoyed strolling through the park and looking at the Koi ponds. Note that there aren’t bathrooms in the garden, so there is a short walk to the public restrooms. Read the history of the gardens, on the plaque as you enter. Low/no railings may make it nerve wracking if you have young children.

This is an attraction that you might think not worth visiting. You would be wrong. That's how I felt initially, but our son and daughter-in-law had visited there several years ago during their honeymoon and they wanted to revisit it. I'm so happy we did go. It is very pretty, and it is very Japanese. Take your camera.

Simply put beautiful. It took about an hour of our time but it was a hidden oasis. We weren't really interested in the zoo which was close. We took an uber from riverwalk for about $10 but the garden is free

Gardens are very large and well maintained. A peaceful refuge which gives one a feeling of peace and unmindful of any crowd. Loved it.

Beautiful and calming. Loved the koi pools, dragon bridge, waterfall, flower arrangements. You can stop by and just enjoy the view of the entire basin from the tea house.

If in San Antonio and you need something to do, you might as well visit the Japanese Tea Gardens. The parking lot is very small, but there is more parking to the left of the entrance. We arrived around 5pm on a Saturday and it was very very busy. Almost too busy to be enjoyable. However, we wandered around anyway. The gardens are well kept and there are lots of places for fun photo opts. There seemed to be quite a few children crawling up the rocks around the park, so just watch out for that as we had one fall off the rocks right in front of us.

One of the most stunning gardens I have visited. I was there March, before all of the plants had a chance to come out of their winter rest and still it was beautiful. The history of the site is fascinating in that a depleted mine was turned into something so peaceful. Be sure to walk the entire garden to see it from all angles and be prepared to walk steps and uneven surfaces. I recommend arriving early morning. My only complaint is that this is professional portrait heaven and photographers with their subjects and their equipment are set up all over the garden. This made it difficult for me to take the pictures I wanted because at every direction was a photographer, a young lady in a big dress or cap and gown, light deflectors, large balloons, etc. that got into my pictures. Additionally, it blocked off areas of the garden where you could not walk around them and certainly could not walk behind them. I understand why they'd want their photo taken at this location, but the park should limit the time of day a photographer can be on site and prohibit them during the remainder of the day so guests can get full access and photos.

While it is a beautiful peaceful garden, there is nothing Japanese or Chinese. the Japanese Tea cafe is ok, The tea is good but ask for table service to get china service. The pictures does not match the service/ atmosphere

Wasn't sure about going to a garden on vacation, but so glad we did. So cool, trail around it is great, you can see it from many angles. Some of our best pics. Bet it only gets better in the spring and summer.

It's a little ways outside the tourist area so you have to drive, (near the zoo!) and it doesn’t take long to see the whole thing, but don't miss it! It is really unusual and very beautiful. We enjoyed walking around the paths and rock walkways, over bridges by the waterfalls and such. Such a peaceful experience. Be sure to go down to the kiln and houses where the original family of 8 lived! Very cool stone buildings. And the story board explains why it's called the Japanese Tea Gardens but the entrance sign says Chinese Tea Garden!! It's worth the price of admission....free! Ha, ha!!

This attraction was on my list for our two day trip to San Antonio. Unfortunately it was raining when we wanted to go. We decided to go anyway. It's free which is great. It's beautiful and we enjoyed our wet adventure. I know my kids would have loved it if they'd been with us. If you have time and transportation, it's worth it to stop by and look around.

My second visit to the Tea Gardens! We rent the bike at the river walk and bike it to the tea gardens. There is a beautiful trail along the water for bikes. We stoped at the tea gardens for bento box and bubble tea. The garden are small but enjoyable to walk around on a nice day.

love this place for beautiful walk with interesting plants and path ways ,lost of young couples choose this place for their wedding ,engagements and graduation pictures because of its beauty

The city has at last restored the Japanese Tea Gardens and made it free to the public. We enjoyed walking around the gardens. The steps were steep so be careful. I did not see a handicapped entrance, but maybe there is one in a different area. If you are driving by this area, worth the stop.

This was the most interesting attraction we viewed in San Antonio. The place has a very unique appearance.

A neat place to spend about an hour. Very pretty gardens, well landscaped with lots of flowers. Nice walking path around the gardens and water. It's free so that's always a plus!

It is a very beautiful place, good atmosphere, fresh air, try to collect tea and tea here is delicious, good taste.

A small but packed with a punch kind of place. The transformation from an abandoned old quarry to this current artistic place is stupendous. Free to enter. There is a small restaurant inside with tasty spring rolls, Bobba teas and other food items. One thing slightly confusing though - the arch in front says Chinese tea Garden though...

The Japanese Tea Garden is free to enter. It’s beautiful everywhere you look, waterfall, fish, plants. Would definitely recommend stopping by.

Many people visiting at the same time- still very beautiful and felt good to be there to see hear and feel nature. Our boys loved this experience!

Nice hidden gem!. We had some extra time before going to our motel, and we were glad we found this online. It's really worth the stop. The walk can be completed in about an hour, but might take longer if you spend time taking a lot of pictures.

This was a beautiful place to get a good walk and take some great photos. It's also near the zoo, a park, and several other attractions. A great place to spend the day.

I've been coming here since I could walk. It does get crowded, especially during peak tourist season, but it is always worth a visit.

This place is beautiful, breathtaking! very small but worth the visit.
Do not go in the cafe/restaurant is overprice and not good also very rude staff.

I was more disappointed than anything. I had envisioned something much more elaborate, peaceful and more flowers than what we experienced. Maybe we were just to early in the year, but I was expecting so much more. So glad we didn't have to pay for it. It was okay, but nothing spectacular.

Often overlooked but one of the most wonderful places to visit while in San Antonio. The Gardens are in Brackenridge Park and breathtaking. Leave at least a few hours to strole around and enjoy the beautiful flowers, plants and waterfall.

The Japanese Tea Garden is absolutely breathtaking! It is definitely a must see when visiting San Antonio and the price is great! It’s free!

Absolutely beautiful. Loved everything about it. Not at all what we expected with a natural waterfall and so many plants and rocks.

It’s a very beautiful and free outdoor quick trip which I think is a must see for out of town guests. Has a tea shop for cold beverages as well.

We walked here after the zoo, it is a very peaceful beautiful garden. I recommend a walk around. Lovely flowers and waterfalls.

Even on a very chilly day in January these gardens were beautiful. It's not very big but multileveled. The rocks used to make the landscaping transports your mind to a garden in Asia.

This is a must-do if you live a hectic life. The tranquillity and zen offered here is very peaceful. Even though many of the plants had finished their season, there were plenty of flowers still blooming and the atmosphere unhurried. The combination of greenery and water features is well balanced. They turned this old stone quarry into a wonderful attraction. Some parts are not accessible for those with mobility challenges but a great deal of it is. We had two in our group on scooters and they got along just fine. The restaurant had delicious items and we did not leave hungry!

Maybe I should have looked at the photos better before we came here. It is a lovely rock garden. Lots of rocks. It was a quarry, so there's that. It's free and there is ample parking. There weren't many actual flowers though. And the paths are steep with plenty of climbing opportunities. I wouldn't recommend it if you have mobility issues, or trouble walking. Younger people would do fine though. It was a very hot, humid, day when we visited. I think going in the fall when it's cooler would be wise.
There are cats that live in the garden, and if you are lucky, you can spot them. I loved that part. They stay away from the people and seem to be well cared for.

This was honestly such a beautiful place to go. Unless you feel like excercising though, I personally would suggest just walking around the water area. I ended up walking all the way around over a bridge that goes over the highway - which wasn't anything scenic and considering I have body pain, it wasn't worth the extra walking. Other than that though, it's a gorgeous place. I absolutely loved it.

Came to the Japanese Tea gardens two days ago, very beautiful area, gardens are beautiful but the overall area is very small and they were very crowed and hot the day we came. The paths are narrow and difficult to pass one another while walking around it could use more shaded areas to hide from the sun and photo ops..

This is such a beautiful place, it's hard to believe it's free! We were there over Memorial Day weekend, so it was tough to find parking and it was crowded, but worth it. There were people there having pictures taken for graduation and engagements because it's a lovely place. We really enjoyed out visit. There is a little snack bar if you get hungry or thirsty and little tables to sit and take it all in.

While visiting San Antonio, we decided to spend time at the Japanese Tea Gardens. The gardens are beautiful and surround Koi ponds. There are nicely placed paths throughout the gardens. The gardens create a lovely backdrop for photographs.

From quarry to Japanese Tea Garden. A lesson in transforming industrialization into experiential beauty. A wedding ceremony had just completed when I arrived.

Free to the public. So calming and beautiful. Nice little cafe to order a lime smoothie and sit under the shaded rest area and visit. Would be perfect to get engaged or take wedding pictures……

The gardens are very pretty but we almost didn't get to see them. We (and a lot of others) parked at the tea garden parking lot and found two different gates that were locked. We decided to walk down toward the zoo and found another road to the tea garden. It has cables across to stop cars, but apparently not people, because the gates were open when we got to them. If you take the trail to the left, you get to the gardens, if you walk the road, you get to the garden overlook.

Very nice garden with many pathways to choose from. Can be busy so plan accordingly. Was able to get some good pictures.

We like the nature So it was a good choise for trip. We had a great weather And enjiyed it too much.

Thought this area would be larger but still always love tea gardens as they are always so well done and are beautiful all year long

Beautiful gardens to walk through, great for pictures. Very peaceful. We spent a morning there and it was a great way to start the day.

Escape the heat with unexpected beauty. Another must see. It is about a $10 Uber ride from South Town, and definitely worth it. There are plenty of stairs to climb if you like to get steps in, like me. Also, there are plenty of shady spots to escape the heat. Loved it.

Having a free Japanese Tea Garden to visit was a pleasant surprise. We visited in the winter, so the gardens were not as impressive as I'm sure they are when all the plants are in bloom, but it was still a nice excursion. The gardens are not very large but are well laid out. It is not very accessible for handicapped visitors.

A gem! This is a free garden and so beautiful. A Koi pond makes for a perfect backdrop for photo opportunities. I went on a Sunday afternoon and although it was quite crowded, it felt peaceful. For a free, tranquil place, I highly recommend

A calming and beautiful area set in the heart of the bustling and vibrant city of San Antonio. You really wouldn’t know you was in the city. It’s not very big and you’d easily be able to walk around in less than an hour but grab a seat under the giant pergola and let the zen flow

One of the few tourist places that don't charge ! But you have to be sure footed on very rocky paths and stairs .

Free to enter!
Beautiful place to visit located behind the zoo. It is a moderately short easy hike around the grounds. Beautiful scenery for pictures. They do have a place selling tea/beverages. I was told the zoo is amazing. I would visit both if you are in the location.

I happened upon this spot by accident. Finished a physical therapy appointment and didn’t want to sit in traffic right away. What a perfect little spot. So unexpected. There are paved trails to walk along. The whole “loop” is short. It was nice to just stop, stand, and take in the peacefulness of the spot.

Had some time to kill before hotel check in and decided to stop. It is a small garden but very well kept and lush, even in the heat. Large koi and a beautiful waterfall. Great place for family photos.

good place to stop and stretch your legs. we did not spend much time here but its worth a stop. beautiful gardens with a waterfall.

This was our second time visiting the Japanese Tea Gardens, and we enjoyed it just as much as the first. After a few hard freezes in February, I wasn't sure if we would find the same pretty oasis that we enjoyed last time, but everything was in bloom and looked beautiful. You enter the gardens from above and look down upon lakes, bridges, some gorgeous architecture, and pretty flowers. There are a lot of nice photo opportunities here. You can spend about an hour exploring. Lots and lots of steps up and down - a great place to exercise or just relax and enjoy the serenity. They've taken an old rock quarry and converted it into a beautiful place. So nice that it's free for everyone to enjoy. I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys being outside and exploring nature.

I was not expecting this place to be so pretty and picturesque. Plenty of winding paths and a waterfall towards the back. There were a decent amount of people there but you could still generally stay away from them. Only negative was little cafe charged about 6 dollars for water.

On the positive side, it's free. But really there's very little here that seems authentic to what Japanese gardens usually are like. True, we're in San Antonio, but if you want the usual vibe and feel of a Japanese garden, you shouldn't come here. I spent money on an Uber to get here and back, and I wish I hadn't. There's a cafe here that I didn't visit. Bathrooms are available, too.

If you like nature and gardens, this is a place to be tranquil and enjoy the beauty earth can provide.

The Japanese Tea Gardens are a nice surprise to find in San Antonio. It was interesting to read the history of the family who was instrumental in building it and how they were discriminated against in WWII so much that the Gardens were renamed the Chinese Tea Gardens for quite a while. We enjoyed a nice walk and had lunch at their restaurant. The Gardens are not full of the symbolism you see in other similar places. The stairs are not senior friendly since there are no railings and the surface is often uneven.

Beautiful gardens with free admission very close to the downtown area. You can spend as little or as much time here as you want. Make sure to go earlier in the day before it gets too crowded!

This is a lovely spot for a morning walk before that Texas heat sets in. It’s located in Brackenridge Park, near the zoo. Free admission.

This was an amazing place and we were lucky to have a great weather when we visited in November. So peaceful, calm and beautiful. Should plan at least 2 hours to soak in the beauty of this place. And the best thing - it was free. Wear comfortable shoes as you go up and down.

Absolutely beautiful and stunning. And nice, quiet stroll. Serene waterfall. The fish were so calming to watch. My children really enjoyed this. We just walked right in and there was no cost. A must see. Truly a gem to find in the city.

I had never known this existed and I have been to San Antonio several times. It was so beautiful and Tranquil and nestled away in the heart of San Antonio. The Waterfall was so majestic. I wish it had been less crowded, but it was a beautiful place. Their parking lot was small and was hard to park because of how it was situated, so beware of parking. Well worth it.

This is a very nice Japanese Tea Garden with a beautiful overview of the garden as well as an overlook at the opposite side. Take your time to look at the koi in the ponds, waterfall and bridge. Although there is a trail that take within the garden, don't forget to walk the trail that take you around the outside that take you above the garden.

The Japanese Tea Garden is absolutely stunning and a must-see quick stop on your tour of San Antonio. We came on a Sunday around 11 a.m., and there were a decent amount of people there. This place is so picturesque, with great views and photo ops around every turn.

Nice Japanese gardens with waterfalls and a nice hiking path through out the gardens. Note that parking can be tough, but we were able to park across the street. This is close to the zoo, be sure to visit.

While this is a nice garden to visit, I wouldn't call it a Japanese garden. At most inspired by Japanese gardens, but a bit too tropical. Regardless, it's still a nice spot which allows a quick visit. There's a nice little shop selling drinks and ice.

This place is beautiful and well maintained. I went in the winter and it looked very nice. I can imagine that the spring and summer months are even better. It is recommended for photographers and people like me who love a stunning nature background on my family photos. It isn't big, so you can see the whole thing in an hour or less, then head to the zoo or the park next door, if you'd like. There is a snack shop in case you get hungry or thirsty. They sell sandwiches, pastries and beverages, including bubble tea. Tip: wear sneakers or comfortable shoes (no heels ladies). There are some steep steps you have to walk up and down. I don't recommend strollers. There is no charge to get in.

This is my personal favorite of places to visit in San Antonio. I would rate this as # 1 place to visit. The garden is so nicely done that it amazes me all the time. The structures, the garden layout, fishes, turtles, trees, waterfalls, bridges, it has it all. NOT TO MISS in San Antonio

We decided to take our children here on a last minute adventure. We took them on a Saturday afternoon and it was crazy busy. And we got there about an hour before it closed at five. We walked all around and the children loved looking at the fish and just climbing the rocks and looking at the beautiful scenery. It’s a gorgeous place to take pictures. My kids ages are 10,8,7,5,3 and 1. Their favorite part was definitely looking at the fish. They also have a cute little waterfall that is a nice place to take pictures. You can easily spend an hour or more here. What’s nice is after you were done here you can cross the street and go to a little park. Also right down the street is the San Antonio zoo.

what a treasure. So glad we took the time to visit this little garden. It is beautifully laid out, very tranquil and peaceful way to spend an hour or so.

Such a beautiful area. Takes about 30-60 min to go through, and you won't regret it! Very beautiful plants and wildlife.

The Japanese Tea Gardens are a lovely place to spend some time. The winding paths, water features, many levels, beautiful fish, amazing plants and wonderful overlooks are well worth the time.

This was such a picturesque place. The garden is really peaceful and I love how there are little sitting areas built into the wall the follows the pathway. There are a lot of stairs but they aren’t steep. Bring your camera!

beautiful place, not very large but very well kept. If you are in San Antonio it a must see. Of Course Late Spring or early summer will have more flower.

It was the only thing we did up in that area, we rode bikes from our hotel and the bike lanes suck. But it was a nice ride. A nice break from the downtown life and it was very pretty just to look at all the scenery. And for some reason I loved the fish haha.

This was one of our favorite things that we did on our trip to San Antonio. The gardens are absolutely stunning. More elaborate than most Japanese gardens we've seen before. You enter from above and what was once an old rock quarry is now a beautiful oasis full of lakes, bridges, colorful flowers, loads of steps, a pretty waterfall, and some gorgeous architecture. There's also a little restaurant, but that was closed when were there along with the restrooms. We spent about an hour exploring. It's a beautiful place for taking photos. Surprisingly, it was free, so that was an added bonus. We've been going to San Antonio for years, but this is the first time we've ever visited the gardens. If you love getting outdoors and exploring nature, don't miss this beautiful spot.

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio is a beautiful and historic spot perfect for a relaxing stroll. Originally a limestone rock quarry in the early 20th century, the site was transformed into a lush garden , featuring winding stone pathways, koi-filled ponds, and a picturesque waterfall. The garden officially opened to the public in 1919 and was later renamed the Chinese Tea Garden during World War II due to anti-Japanese sentiment. In 1984, it was restored to its original name, honoring its cultural significance.

As you explore, you’ll find several scenic trails that offer stunning views of the entire garden. In addition to its natural beauty, the garden is home to the Jingu House Café—named after the Japanese-American family that once lived on the grounds—it. serves Japanese tea, bubble tea, and a selection of Asian-inspired dishes. The café also doubles as an event venue, making it a charming setting for private gatherings.

Located 80 miles southwest of Austin, admission is free. Parking is available on the adjacent hill or street below, making it an easy day trip for history buffs, nature lovers, or anyone seeking a serene escape.

Nice place and very relaxing. It is better to go in sports shoes in order to be able to walk comfortably and with a hat in the sun. Beautiful views to take pictures, it is a walk of one to two hours, and it is preferable to go after or before lunch, since in the place there is nowhere to eat. There is a small shop but there is little merchandise. Carry a bottle of water

This place has very little shade but it is breathtaking. This was such a nice little place to visit. The heat made us speed through it. I bet it would be wonderful in the fall when you wouldn't be melting....

A nice little garden that is free to visit. A nice diversion that can be walked through in a hour or so. This harsh summer seems to have had an effect on the flora, but it is still worth the trip.

Small but beautiful.

It was the highlight of our trip. It's a great family friendly spot. We would highly recommend it. The atmosphere was something you'd never know was in the city.

Very beautiful park! The paths are lined with rocks. It’s beautiful. There are little hidden trails everywhere too. They have a little bakery/tea shop that was really good and air conditioned. My husband and I spent about an hour and a half there total.

This garden is a natural gem: stone paths amid lush vegetation, small ponds and a waterfall that brings serenity to the landscape.
Perfect for relaxing, taking pictures and connecting with nature. Ideal for family trips

A great place to get outdoors and be in nature. It’s technically not a Japanese garden in that it doesn’t have Japanese flora and fauna. There are also tons of stairs so those with bad knees and hips may not be able to enjoy it. Other than those two things it is a gem and a beautiful place to see.

We went to the Japanese Tea Gardens at around 10 am. There is parking in front of the gardens but I'd recommend to go early. When we got there, the parking lot was about 70% full. It didn't seem crowded though.
We stayed about 30 minutes and we pretty much saw everything. The waterfall was by far my favorite thing to see. There were a few areas where the vegetation died but there were flowers sprinkled around, which was pretty.
I'd recommend going because not only is it beautiful but it's free! How can you go wrong with that?!?

We decided to arrive early, 8:30 am. The three of us were the only people in the gardens. Walking down, up and over and around the paths, enjoying the waterfall and watching the koi, listening to the sounds of birds, an extremely peaceful experience sans loud visitors and noisily running children. The tea house isn't open until later but the gardens open early and a relaxing experience in the early a.m.

January is probably a tough time to visit because the plants are not in great shape….I would probably wait a couple months. Don’t make a separate trip in uber, but hit it on the trolley tour…free but not worth the uber fare.

Beautiful but small, takes about an hour if you stop and get a tea at the little restaurant as well.

Gorgeous landscaping and some fun wildlife - fish, turtles, vultures - and views to enjoy. Was a little disappointed that some visitors showed how lazy they were and threw their trash in some of the beautiful landscaping instead of trash cans that are located on the property. Can be serene though there are a lot of people touring and having photo shoots - weddings and other events throughout. Definitely worth the stop to take it in as it is stunning!

We loved walking through this beautiful garden! It was crowded and lots of people were there taking photo shoots, but we were glad we went. Nice place to visit and especially since it is free!

We stopped at the garden on a Saturday afternoon in late June. It was hot and crowded. I would recommend definitely going early in the morning to possibly avoid the crowds.

The flowers and foliage are pretty here, but even more beautiful is the contrast between the greenish water and the stonework.

The gardens are free, and don’t take very long. I think we were there maybe an hour, and that included time to get bubble tea.

There are not any railings along the steps, so going down near the little pond may not be feasible for those with mobility issues. But, the view from the cafe area is still very worthwhile.

I'm assuming that due to C-19, this place was way overcrowded when we visited. I imagine that if you could go during a less busy time and enjoy the sights and take pictures, it would be more relaxing. Also, if you don't like stairs, this isn't the place for you.

Beautiful place to stroll, admire the koi fish and meditate. January isn’t exactly the best season but they were planing flowers and it’s a nice little getaway tucked into the city with sweet little walking paths on several levels and a huge pavilion which could use some places to sit down.

Great small garden. Waterfall was beautiful. Great chances for pictures. Climb up to the top on the little path off the large path that leads to the zoo.

Beautiful and well maintained! Go early before it gets too hot and it's a great place for photos and to see some nature.

We visited in February so there was not a lot of color but it is rather large with a lot of trains to walk. It is free and worth a look.

It was very beautiful.That was my first time in a Japanese tea garden.Entrance ,Parking free.If you are planning a trip to San Antonio don’t miss this place to visit.It is very clean.

Amazing gardens! This was recommended to us by our hotel and they did not steer us wrong. One thing I would say is there are a lot of stairs and it’s not handicap accessible. This was a bit of a bummer as we had a couple of people who could not walk the grounds but they could admire from above.

We went not expecting much and having been told Japanese the archway at the entry says Chinese but so what
This place is beautiful and FREE

The tea shop serves some interesting snacks and bubble tea which has some strange gummy berries in it but is really nice

My family and I visited these gardens and we truly admired the calming serenity of this locale.

A splendid spot to just relax and soak in the beauty.

Take your time to walk around and appreciate Life.

This is a very old and well maintained Japanese garden. It used to be called The Sunken Garden (and still is by locals) and it is one of the most unique things to see in Texas. It is a leisurely stroll kind of place that has beauty at every turn. Very well done and you can tell the staff is proud of their work as it shows. Huge Koi are in the ponds and the plantlife is just breathtaking. Lots of steps, wear comfortable shoes. Well worth the work to find it in Brackenridge Park. The only think it could use is more parking spaces closer, but that is a minor thing. Really a neat thing to see, take your camera!

My family and I came here on our last day, as we were leaving San Antonio after a visit over Christmas. The setting is beautiful. It took us about an hour to walk around and take pictures. Uneven pavers, but easy to walk if you take it slow and watch where you are going (I have cerebral palsy with mild impairment in my left leg). Most areas appeared accessible for a wheelchair as there were flat paved walkways as well. Nothing exciting per se, but wonderful to take a peaceful walk and the parking and the park were free. Recommended for all ages.

Japanese tea garden is amazing!! It looks so beautiful. It is a must see when you are visiting San Antonio and above all, it’s free. You feel like you are in a totally different world when you enter the place. We enjoyed our time there.

Gorgeous! Everything and then some. Great place to re-set yourself and be a better YOU! So Gorgeous! Wear comfy shoes and take your time and take it ALL in! So BEAUTIFUL!

Absolutely beautiful! It's a smaller area than I had envisioned, but definitely worth it. Great place for photos. We watched a couple get married in front of the waterfall.

Well taken care of. Lovely. Only need an hour to see. We did this it was... interesting that Pearl Harbor was noted as an "incident" (not attack) in the informational sign to the gardens.

This was a spontaneous stop on our trip that was probably one of the BEST things we did. This tea garden features beautiful trials, waterfalls, ponds, and architecture. If you love nature and are interested in snagging some good photos this is the place for it.

This was so beautiful, we really felt transported to Japan. Gorgeous and very well manicured gardens, fountains and lovely open air tea room., My 2 kids (aged 9 and 11) enjoyed it very much too.

Such a beautiful place to visit. The scenery is great. There are a few little paths to walk. great for families to do. Beautiful place for pictures.

Good option in San Antonio, very nice, free, beautiful roads, you see some trash everywhere, and no one is telling you anything about the plants, or the fish, could be anyone watching everything. 2 hours maximum very well invested.

The Japanese Tea Gardens are very beautiful, even in January. So much to see and experience, all for free.

Out of whim, I wanted to experience something different. We frequent San Antonio at least once a year & since I tele-commute, I go with my hubby when he has meetings there and able to work.

So we’ve done the River Walk - we stay at the Grand Hyatt mostly and the fabulous ghost tour.

NOW this is completely different. Parking is easy. If you have kids, take the train ride (not free) which take you around the gardens. Guides tell you the history during this ride.
The pond and the gardens were mesmerizing. I did not know that for many years the gardens were neglected and full of graffiti. Due to limited funding, the city threatened to close the garden, but the community and parks supporters rallied and lobbied to keep it open.
Thank goodness. Power to the people. And now - wow- a must visit. Over $1 million dollars was spent to restore the ponds and waterfall.

This park is Family friendly and they have a cute restaurant which serves Japanese food, sweets, tea and boba.
The building is now a Fresh Horizons Creative Catering restaurant, serving light lunches as the Jingu family did in the 1930s.[3]

Neat side trip we took to enjoy the Landscaping and architecture. It’s a great place to take photos with your family. Make sure you read the history of the front.... definitely worth checking out!

what a quaint little area to walk around and see nature. we stopped at the recommendation of the hotel. what a great idea.

Small park to see. Soothing and colorful place! Only 20-30 minutes to go around and there is a small tea restaurant in the center of the garden. Look for free morning hours to go, because otherwise it’s a bit expensive for the activity.

By now, all the regular TA followers know how much I love gardening and fine gardens. This is not the biggest, best, or most popular garden you will ever visit, but it is really a nice one. Well worth your drive out to Breckenridge Park (where the zoo is located) to enjoy a real oasis in the center (a little north of it) of a big city. Built in an old stone quarry, it is a work of art.

This is an amazing peacfully garden in an old rock quarry and it is easily accessible on 281 between the airport and downtown. I would never have visited this without learning about on tripadvisor and it is so easy to get to. The sight is perfect for a Japanese Garden in a landscape perfectly shaped by a commercial quarry that has left beautiful water features. This is the first real attraction my wife and I visited in San Antonio and it was one of our favorites. Not to mention it is FREE and you can soak it all in in a short visit. For us it was so relaxing after our morning plan trip. This definitely relieved travel stress and placed us in a vacation mood.

We visited on a beautiful Saturday, so the gardens were understandably crowded. Parking was also quite congested. The grounds are beautiful and well-maintained. In our COVID life, we chose not to stay too long because of the crowds; I would like to return for a more leisurely stroll on a weekday.

The tea garden was stunning. Very serene and gorgeous. The plants, wildlife, structures, falls, and koi - everything was lovely. The trails wind around and the views are lovely from any perspective. You will be glad you went.

We stopped here because my husband had come here as a child and thought i would like it. I was amazed and delighted. Beautiful gardens and walkways overlooking the pools of huge goldfish.
We also enjoyed the cafe lunch. We had the chicken salad box lunches which were a refreshing meal with fruit, tossed salad and cucumber salad.
A very nice visit even on a hot day. And the gardens are free.

So beautiful! Peaceful! We got so many amazing pictures! Well taken care of. There is an upper and lower parking. People are meditating and happy from the peaceful feeling this garden brings!

I think this is a great free activity to do while in San Antonio with the family. It’s pretty cute to see, I really enjoyed it.

We went to the Tea Gardens this past week with our grandchildren and we all really it. I especially enjoyed the unique architecture of the bridges, pavilion and edges of the pond using local rocks. The waterfall and bamboo forest areas were so pretty. Even though not many flowers were blooming, the garden was a great place to visit. Take some time to read about the history of this garden. It was so interesting.

Very pretty and relaxing! Take a nice walk and see the fish and turtles, then relax with a nice snack. So much beauty to see and enjoy. Great place to gather your thoughts. Highly recommend

I am stunned that this garden is free! It is one of the most beautiful Japanese Gardens I have ever seen. I only wish I would have been able to see it when some of the plants were blooming. If you are in the area you need to stop here and enjoy it for a bit.

It's a beautiful garden, lovely to wonder around and enjoy the greenery.
It can get very busy, the time we were there, there was a wedding, a maternity shoot, a proposal and a prom shoot all happening at the same time. Just something to keep in mind.
Also has a lot of steps and stairs.

This outdoor garden is very pretty and great for taking photos. There are lots of different angles and spots for photos and you can see it in 15-30 minutes. Worth checking out for a quick look especially if you're near the zoo or park area. Bathrooms could be cleaner when we went there are also some next to zoo out on the street. There is a small food spot there as well.

It was a great experience. Me and bae had a lot of fun together. We enjoyed nature and took pictures, lots of them‼️ I liked it a lot.

We chose to visit the Japanese Tea Garden because it was free and it's reviews. My family and I were able to walk around the garden in the afternoon and got in a nice walk, relaxing scenery, and some naturey photos in an hour for free! There was a small waterfall and ponds with koi fish. We enjoyed being able to walk through the gardens and had a good time. If you plan on going, there may be some other events going on at the location, and there are not too many parking spaces available, so be aware of these things. Interesting fact: The entrance says Chinese Gardens.

Beautiful old limestone quarry converted to a garden area. Very rocky areas and lots of steps. Wish we would have gotten a map of the area. Free admission. Limited parking. Fairly close walk from there to the Zoo.

If you love gardens you should definitely stop and watch this. Loved it. Bit crowded usually but still worth it. Its free and near to the zoo and other attractions

This is a beautiful little garden, with ponds, short trails, bridges, overlooks, and water features and some East Asian elements. Its not a huge space, but makes the most of it and is a wonderful place to send an hour. It was fairly busy when we were there, and there was a shop selling various necessities. We went on a quite hot day, but stopped by early enough in the morning before things got really bad. Interestingly, at least one sign identifies it as a Chinese Tea Garden, which is an interesting point of confusion.

Just how I'd imagined, the garden is inspiring if you're interested in oriental design. I found it to be tranquil and filled with all kinds of texture and color. What a way to transform a limestone quarry!

I've been here before but went again 3 weeks ago for my friends surprise engagement. What a super place this is to profess your love and ask someone to be your forever person. Simply beautiful!!

I've wanted to visit the Japanese Tea Garden since I was a kid and saw it in the movie "Cloak & Dagger" It was everything I hoped it would be! Its a great place to just relax and be zen for awhile.

The reason I can't give it a 5 is because its pretty small - we were there for less than an hour and saw it all. The facilities were also closed - no food of gifts available. Not sure if that was due to COVID or the fact that we were there in the early morning.

The Japanese Tea Garden is located right next to the zoo, so its great to pair the 2 together for planning purposes.

It was a bit misty, but we loved our visit to the Japanese Tea Gardens. Great for taking photographs. They have a lovely cafe, too.

We stopped here on the recommendation of our Travel Agent.

And we are so glad we did.

What a beautiful oasis!

Wish the store had been open but we enjoyed our time here.

Thoughtfully created & beautifully maintained. This was our last stop before leaving San Antonio, and I’m so glad we did it - although it was hundred+ in the heat, walking the garden was still tranquil & not too busy; parking was on road & free too. We spent a good hour here, walking the garden paths and appreciating the views. Definitely worth a visit when in SA.

Loved the Japanese Gardens. It is a treat for the senses. Want to go back in the spring. It is spectacular in the winter months so I imagine it will be even more breathtaking in the spring months.

It is a very well put together location. The fish are beautiful. The flowers are rare and wonderful. The grounds are well kept. The little shop that sells drinks and snacks is great for a break. The people who work there are nice and very attentive.

We were so surprised at the beauty and intricity of the gardens. Beautiful stone work and trails. Do not miss

Free - beautiful - waterfall - what more is there? We had a great time here. Not many people, the grounds are well taken care of, the fish were gorgeous colors and everything was just so serene. The shop/cafe was a little expensive, but we purchased some drinks to help support this endeavor. Highly recommended.

This is a really pretty, well-maintained garden, as the photos depict. Bunch of small bridges & paths for you to stroll on and maybe take some photos. It was definitely more compact than expected based off descriptions from the San Antonio tourism site/other reviews, so you really don't have to plan a dedicated trip just to visit - more of "something to do" while en route to other activities downtown. You probably need less than an hour to see it, tops.
There's some BBQ (Augie's) and a Starbucks nearby, and it's right next to the zoo. The park's free, so I really can't complain about it. It's nice!

A great change from the city. Fun to walk around and relax. It gets a bit busy so parking is a hassle and people taking professional photos slow the walk down. Well worth the visit. Free too.

This garden was worth the stop! Just pull into the parking lot and the garden is a short walk from there. There are trails that you walk around that do have some steps so they may not be wheelchair or stroller accessible, but you can view the garden from the top at the entrance.

Our friends brought us to this Japanese Tea Garden on a hot spring day in April. The view from all angles and heights, design, clear pond, koi fishes, waterfall, verdant ferns, shrubs, trees and colorful flowers had a wow effect on my husband and I.

Love this place. Nice walking paths with pretty scenery. Easy to find with free easy parking near by.

Beautiful garden with plenty of trails, gets a bit crowded and parking can be a bit tricky but a lovely way to spend an afternoon walking with you sweet heart.

These gardens are absolutely beautiful! This was a last minute decision on our family trip and I’m so glad we decided to stop by here. Beautiful sight seeing and opportunities for fabulous pictures! Will definitely visit these again next time we’re here.

We stopped here on a whim on the way to the airport. It's well worth the trip. It is a beautiful garden with lots to see. It is somewhat small but it's great for pictures and there are many isolated spots for contemplation. Well-done!

This was a beautiful place to wander and enjoy. It is so picturesque that several groups were having professional pictures taken there. Free.

We happened upon this place simply because we took an Uber to the San Antonio Zoo, only to find the zoo was closed due to a private event. This garden was about 1-2 blocks walking distance from the zoo. We figured we might as well see it since we were in the area. It was absolutely beautiful with a huge lagoon and beautiful waterfall. There are hundreds of colorful koi fish swimming around the shallow lagoon. It's free! If you go to the zoo, be sure to take the extra little walk to see it.

Beautiful garden with an interesting history. The gift shop and take away drink offerings were fun but pricey. I would recommend for couples or families with older children.

Worth a visit to take a few photos. Interesting for all the vegetation, waterfalls, and hiking paths. Spouse does photos, so it was worth the trip.

This place was pretty. The only thing I would advise, if you have trouble climbing stairs don’t attempt. It has a lot of stairs and steep places that you walk.

Located near downtown San Antonio and the city zoo. A very beautiful and designed with a Oriental style theme for simply walking and relaxing quietly. Great for couples to enjoy time together and a fantastic place for pictures as well as useful for professional photographers as well. The foilage is nicely done and several fish ponds almost a arms length away even small bridges over the ponds giving it a feeling of miniature forest. Worth seeing if you have time.

The San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, also known as the Sunken Gardens, has an interesting history, to say the least. Located at 3853 North St. Mary's Street, on the northwestern edge of Brackenridge Park, near the San Antonio Zoo, the ground was first broken around 1840 by German masons who used the readily accessible limestone to supply the construction market. Many of the buildings in San Antonio, including the famous Manger Hotel, were built with the stone from this quarry on the Rock Quarry Road. After the quarry closed, city officials visualized an oriental-style garden in the pit of the quarry, a complex that included walkways, stone arch bridges, an island and a Japanese pagoda. With the rise of anti-Japanese sentiment during World War II, the garden was renamed the Chinese Tea Garden to prevent razing and vandalism. In 1984, the city restored the original "Japanese Tea Garden" designation. Finally, in 2005, the city spent $550,000 to reroof the pagoda-like Pavilion and the house of local Japanese-American artist Kimi Eizo Jingu, who had administered the park in the 1920s and 1930s. Curiously, in recognition of the Japanese Tea Garden's origin as a rock quarry that played a prominent role in the development of the cement business, as well as its later redevelopment as a garden, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and also was designated as a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark and a Registered Texas Historic Landmark.

A Beautiful garden that was originally a mans dream home and personal journey but was an issue around WW2. Sad fact but a beautiful p[lace to honor his spirit.

This is such a special place. We walked here from the central RiverWalk area, which took us about 2 hours with a four year old. When we got here we were so pleased we had made the effort. It is so beautiful and peaceful. Lovely design and quite large. My son got to feed the fish and we also saw some turtles and some birds of prey. It is right next to the Zoo and other activities and walks so it is a great area to go for all the family.

It is also free.

If you enjoy gardens, this place is really cool. I am not sure my kids would have loved this in August when we went, but my girlfriend and I enjoyed the architectural design and plant variety. It would have been amazing if we were the only ones there, LOL. It was a lot of people walking around so I can't really use the word serenity, but yes with out all the tourist, "Like Me", it would be quite serene and peaceful! Definitely worth going for the cost, which is FREE. I didn't try the Tea, so not sure about that.

This garden is absolutely unique and beautifully stunning ! Originally a rock quarry and now a historic landmark. The grounds are magnificently kept, it’s very peaceful and a wonderful place for pictures. Pathways can be steep and narrow but worth the climb. Park entry and parking is free, parking can be a little tight. A must see!

Came here for my birthday, was the first stop of our trip. Everything was so lush and so green, it was a beautiful place to experience with my partner! Definitely recommend going if you’re from out of town

Very pretty and cool to walk around. The waterfall is awesome! And the best part... It's free! Worth the visit when in San Antonio for sure!

This was a stop on a half day bus tour of the city. An unexpected oasis and well worth a visit. Beautiful grounds and a refreshing walk. Interesting history and reminiscent of placed I have been in Asia. And, it's free!

What can you do with an abandoned rock quarry and 1.5 million dollars? Ray Lambert, the Park Commissioner of San Antonio turned it into a “lily pond”. The Japanese Tea Garden reopened in March 2008 and is a wonderful place to visit. The young children that I saw there looked like they were having a great time. You can spend an hour or an afternoon strolling the paths and watching the Koi swim. The upper garden and pavilion areas of the historic Japanese Tea Garden and the Jingu House restaurant are accessible by ramp. The lower garden is accessible only by stairs. There are designated accessible parking in the Japanese Tea Garden parking lot.

So cute to wander around! Free! coy fish swimming in the clear water, trails to walk, a little cafe with tea and a few things to eat

Beautiful, peaceful place. My one year old granddaughter loved the fish. Hope it survived the cold snap that went through right after we visited.

Small and off the typical tourist path, the Japanese gardens are home to a wide variety of flora, and a few dozen koi. Beautifully laid out, and worth a short stroll. We walked there in roughly 15 min from the Witte.

This was a great find. We loved walking around, seeing the coy fish, and trying their tea. And best of all it was free!

This is a great stop to make on your way to the San Antonio Botanical gardens, lovely and unusual. Unfortunately they had a plumbing issue and the bathrooms were off limits. The staff could have been nice and told us there was one down the hill, right by the bus stop we were going to but they didn't. Perhaps, that one was out of commission too! They have Koi fish and look carefully and you will see little lizards.

Beautiful free gardens…..nothing like it in town. Come early, not tons of parking. The water was kinda murky but just lovely gardens.

We were bouncing around San Antonio this past week and were told to try this place. Well what a rewarding time we had. No cost in a place they charge you for everything! Quiet, calming place to walk, observe and enjoy. No hurry just time to get back to level. Take advantage of this and skip the tourist shops.

We very much enjoyed our visit. It’s small, but absolutely beautiful. The small waterfall was pretty. It would have been nice to have a nice tea room. There is a small place to eat, but it didn’t look very enticing. Still, very glad we went.

This garden is simply stunning. It is peaceful and wonderful to experience.
So happy we learned about it and came to visit.

Beautiful and for my surprise it was completely free.
Small area, you won’t spend more than 1h here

Limited parking but it’s completely doable.

Loved it!

I am so glad we stopped here. These gardens are absolutely beautiful! Pictures can't take in all of the beauty of this place!

This has to be one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. Great place to take photos. Serene, peaceful, awe inspiring. Be prepared for lots of stairs.

Really lovely gardens formed out of an old quarry. Lots of little side paths to explore, and paths on many levels. Flowers were blooming when we were there and smelled gorgeous. So many butterflies, birds, koi, and turtles. We really liked the big multi-level shelter because it was possible there to find a quiet place to sit out of the sun for a little bit. This doesn't look like much from the street, but once you get over the hill, you'll see it's gorgeous!

I visited the Japanese Tea Gardens in November 2020. The Tea Garden is laid out where you have many walking paths throughout. It is scenic and has a beautiful waterfall. I recommend it for all ages.

The tea gardens were absolutely beautiful, with the grounds being extremely well kept and carefully maintained. The weather was lovely, which made the experience even more enjoyable. In total, we spent around three hours exploring the garden, taking our time to appreciate the scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

The weather was amazing when we went but these gardens were amazing in January, I cannot even begin to imagine the beauty if it would be during a season that the flowers were in bloom. Highly recommend and don't forget to get some bubble tea for your stroll of the gardens.

Spent several hours at the Japanese Tea Gardens enjoying the lovely grounds. The gardens are tranquil and peaceful, very relaxing. I couldn't believe that they don't charge an entrance fee, that's great! The on-site restaurant serves delicious food that is light and healthy. I was told by a staff member that they also have concerts here, would love to come back for a show.

One of the few places open on Christmas day - we walked there from our hotel on the river walk. What a wonderful surprise - reminiscent of Butchart Gardens (not as vast or awesome) - great repurposing of an old quarry.
Lots of side trails and a wonderful feral cat station. The tea house was closed but it looked cute. There are nearby decent public bathrooms down the road towards the zoo.

After spending several hours at the zoo we walked to the Japanese tea garden. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. Even with all the visitors it had a very calming effect. The garden includes a large pagoda, several ponds with Japanese coi and wonderful landscaping. There is also a small restaurant there, but it didn't appear very welcoming; more of a souvenir shop so I just stepped in and out again. All in all it was relaxing just to walk through the garden and feel peace after a busy day at the zoo.

We were not sure what to expect. We were very pleased. It was a really nice place to visit and take a walk. Lots of stairs. Not for a handicapped person. We really enjoyed it.

We love this place and today it was especially beautiful. Blooming plants, big and small red eared slider turtles, fish, ducks, swimming bird, clean walkways, soothing waterfalls. A really special and free oasis.

We were shocked when we saw the tea garden. It was so much more than we expected. Peaceful, beautiful, and amazing is all I can say. Well worth the visit. The flowers, water, fish, and waterfall charmed. With perfect weather and the loveliness of the garden, it was a perfect morning.

The view upon entrance, at the top is literally breathtaking. Take pictures, bring a backup phone battery! It’s really pretty. It’s not a large garden, but the ponds, with coy fish and the water fountain are so lovely! If you love flowers, coy fish and a stroll through gardens on stones paths - this is your heaven on earth!

My friend had a business meeting in town and I wanted to spend time here after a little bit of search on TA.I was thrilled with the beauty and lucky to be able to see some are blooming.Walked through the paths,met many people on my way.Saw some families that spending their family time here.I wish I could bring my girls here but I’ll will sometimes soon.Generally,lovely place to spend a day and refreshing yourself thoughout the day among them.If you are in town,should visit here guys.

The San Antonio Japanese Tea Gardens were the surprise beauty of our visit, and our favorite place we saw in San Antonio. A bit on the small side, but with unique limestone rock adornments, the Japanese Tea Garden was marvelous to see. The grounds in well-kept condition. Our favorite spot we found in San Antonio.

This is a beautiful place to go for sceanery. There is a small waterfall to take great pictures. It's a must see.

This garden is definitely a must see in San Antonio. It is free to enter and walk around. It was such a lush and green place, and I felt so calm walking around it. There are tons of paths to walk on, and lots of koi fish to see. Right before you walk in there is a plaque at the main entrance telling the history of the tea garden and how the name was changed during WWII. I was happy to see the recognition of the original owner, and it was beautiful to see the site restored in the way it was.

Words can’t describe how beautiful and unique this place is! There are steps everywhere. Picture perfect site. Do not miss visiting here if you are in SA. It is quite a serene atmosphere too.

If you are in the San Antonio for Lackland's Graduation and your Airman is burnt out this might be the perfect place for them just to relax and take in some nature! I also would recommend coming here on any day just to take in the FREE beauty.

My Airman is NOT into flowers like his mom (who has a degree in Horticulture and Floriculture) BUT he actually thanked me for the idea of coming here just to Relax after 7.5 weeks of stress! The Waterfall, pond, Kio, Butterflies, turtles, trees, shrubs, perennials and Annuals are so well placed and named throughout ~Can easily spend well over an hour here.

This location has it's own free parking lot and a small café with restrooms. I will Note this location is NOT handicap accessible with the rocky ledges and trails.

This was a spot that was on my 'must see' list and it did not disappoint. I was able to do a short visit as part of a day tour of the city. I wish I could have returned and spent an afternoon there but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and my schedule probably would not have allowed anyway.
It is very impressive and I am happy I did get to see.

An old rock quarry metamorphosed into a eye-catching, well-maintained garden, replete with walkways, stone arch bridges, waterfall. Koi fish swimming. Lots of steps, so be prepared to walk up and down many steps. Dogs allowed, on a leash. Lots of visitors when I was here. At times it was challenging to maintain social distancing, though masks were required. I hurried through my visit because of the crowd. Wear comfortable shoes. No cowboy boots. :-)

We walked here from the Witte Museum about 15 minutes away. It is pretty, with nice koi swimming nearby. It is free, and you can walk around the whole thing in half an hour.

We stopped on a road trip through San Antonio and it was simply a beautiful place to relax and take in some natural beauty. Lovely walkways and bridges, water features, plants, and architecture. It's hard to believe that this was once a quarry! You won't regret a visit to the Japanese Tea Gardens!

Words can not describe how beautiful this place is. A definite must see. Definitely set some time aside when in San Antonio to visit.

This was our first visit here and it's going into my must-do list for anytime I'm visiting San Antonio. It's not too big so about an hour of time should do it unless you want to just sit and relax for awhile. I would suggest going early before lots of people start showing up. There is no admission fee and no parking fee. There is a small restaurant that serves a small selection of food items. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. The garden is located right by the San Antonio zoo.

Have visited SA numerous times, but this was our first visit to the Japanese Tea Gardens. It was a gorgeous day and the paths and walkways were very serene, and beautifully engineered.

This was a pleasant surprise! We weren't sure quite sure what to expect, but were all wowed with the garden. What a gem nestled in San Antonio. You must visit. It is free and a short walk to the zoo if you are looking to visit that as well.

Admission is free, with access to a beautiful Japanese tea garden with koi ponds, stone paths, and pretty vistas. Originally a quarry, the site was renovated and turned into a tourist location. Perfect for a family walk through, with a scenic waterfall and a large number of benches and seats for relaxing in the afternoon. Be careful on some of the non-authorized paths in the area as there were signs that someone had been living out there. The garden is a short walk from the San Antonio zoo and several picnic areas so definitely worth the detour.

Lovely place, peaceful and zen like. I enjoyed walking around admiring the koi pond and landscape. It’s not a huge place, has steps to climb/descend but all doable. There is a cafe but I didn’t check it out. It’s free, accessible by bus with a little short walk involved. Near the zoo.

Very serene atmosphere, the grounds are well kept, beautiful place to relax and enjoy the peaceful nature.

Just across the zoo, the was a nice free mini hike throughout the gardens. Be sure to take some fish food if you want to feed the fish.

As a frequent visitor to San Antonio, I had never visited. I arrived on a brisk winter morning and was blown away by the scenery. The tea garden was very well done and detailed. This place looked amazing and is a must visit.

This is just an amazing find and certainly worth the time. It is beautiful and beyond amazing! Highly recommend making time for this!

This was worth the stop! A bonus was that it’s free to get into! We spent about an hour and a half here, including our lunch at the Jingu House which is right where you walk in after going up some rock stairs. The restaurant overlooks all the beauty! There are little paths and steps all over that take you to different levels of the Tea Gardens. There is a beautiful waterfall, lots of koi ponds, and lush greenery all over. This used to be an old rock quarry. Pretty cool, and we highly recommend!

This place was so serene and beautiful. Trails made for a beautiful place for some exercise and quite reflection. I would highly recommend this free attraction to anyone visiting San Antonio.

Such a cool free thing to do in the city! Interesting and sad history of the place. It’s really close to the San Antonio Zoo, if you want to do both! It takes about an hour to go through it, if you take your time with it. Worth a stop!

The sun made the gardens come to life! A must-see if you are traveling to the San Antonio area. I loved watching the Koi fish! The Tea Gardens were very serene and it wasn't too long of a walk.

So glad we took the time to visit the gardens. Just a beautiful, peaceful garden. Enjoyed the tranquility of the property and the history.

If you are a garden or nature buff, this is a great place to take a look around. The ponds are man-made, but the vegetation, islands, bridges, and waterfall are beautiful. I was not personally impressed by the Bubble Tea on site (I'm more used the sweeter Americanized version). For scenery and pictures, a wonderful place to go.

My family and I visited the tea garden and we were surprised at this little hidden gem. It is very beautiful and has great walking trails. It’s the biggest koi pond i’ve ever seen. There’s also a waterfall. It was a bit crowded and some trails are very narrow and require you to move over for other people to pass. I was a little disheartened by all the graffiti everywhere. (What I mean by that is all the names that are carved into the rocks and yes even the leaves!) There’s a nice cafe at the beginning to get a drink or snack.

Absolutely lovely any time of the year. the flowers are great and the dimensions of the garden are beautifully designed.

We visited this garden as a family. Easy parking, although I’d imagine it gets full quickly on busy days as it is quite small. Walkable for little people’s legs and plenty to keep them interested, spotting for lizards, butterflies and koi in the pond. Lovely cafe and friendly staff, make sure you stop for some refreshment!

We enjoy visiting the gardens especially during late spring and summer. Some of the masonry could use repair. Puddles filled some spots on walkways because of rain during our visit. But, we will return. One of the great outdoor attractions in San Antonio.

Visited around mid day not too busy. Lovely tranquil place to visit and free entry. Highly recommend a visit just on the outskirts of the city.

My daughter brought me here on the way to my flight leaving San Antonio.
I wish so much that I had had more time to spend in this lovely, peaceful, beautiful space!
Arriving during a glorious, sun-drenched morning, the first view of the garden is stunning. Lots of stonework paths, bridges and ponds alive with beautiful koi.
Plants, flowers and grounds are very well maintained and are really lovely. Even my 2 year old grandson was so content to walk around admiring and being awed by the waterfall and fish ponds.
A truly calming and lovely place to spend some time just enjoying the day that the Lord made. A bargain attraction (free!) in San Antonio.
Recommended!

Definitely a place to visit in San Antonio. Beautiful garden, breathtaking sight. It has many things you would expect to see in a Japanese garden. Only reason I gave 4 stars is because I wish was bigger. But it's free, and near downtown SA.

Beautiful location in San Antonio. This place looked other worldly once inside, I didn't even feel like I was in San Antonio. I loved walking through the gardens and the waterfall was so pretty. It's a quite place to take pictures, walk around, and a good date place.

Parking isn't easy but it's a pretty neat experience. The history of the family is a little sad and I hope it's something America never repeats.

A beautifully serene experience that did not cost anything other than an Uber ride over from the Riverwalk where we were staying. Don’t miss it.

My husband and I drove to the Japanese Tea Gardens because the river shuttles don't go there. I mistakenly thought the gardens were larger, but it didn't matter. It's a beautiful place for taking a leisurely walk and some great pictures. Note: The restaurant is not open. Also, the San Antonio Zoo is right next door.

I am a man who doesn’t necessarily go crazy for visiting gardens but this place was spectacular! It’s amazing what was done in converting this abandoned limestone quarry into such a fantastic attraction. The stone work is tremendous and all encompassing. The Koi pond was cool as well. Good for both the young and old. Great photo spots too. I rate this third as what to do in San Antonio behind the Alamo and River Walk.

Needs a larger gift shop. The gardens are absolutely beautiful and the koi ponds are nice. It looked like they were maintaining them while we were there. Great place to snap some random photos and enjoy the tranquility while still being in town. The boba teas were delicious!

Stopped by here on a whim. Enjoyed the beautiful garden, koi ponds and waterfall. Great calm break in the middle of our trip

the landscape is indeed lovely. there are tons of steps both up and down. definitely not for any slow walkers . the ponds all looked green as if alga was blooming.

Cute park to visit for a stroll. Great for pictures/photo op as well. Not much to do other than walk around and appreciate the scenery-probably spent max an hour here walking around with a friend.

This was a quick stop, but definitely a must see. The parking lot is a bit hectic - just go to the lot across from the main entrance to save stress- it’s all free.
Just a few few steps away from the lot is a really beautiful view overlooking the gardens from a huge pergola. If you have limited mobility, at least come this far to see it, and then sit in the cafe!
Go down into the gardens to see the humongous koi and a bunch of bridges. There is a very high waterfall, but right now it’s flowing like a trickle. The paths basically go in a circle around the old quarry. The are new and pretty views from each vantage point.
Also, if you’re interested, stop and see the remains of the original Alamo Portland Cement plant. There is a building with a smokestack and some smaller structures.
Download the app if you want to read a bit about the gardens (Japanese TeaGarden in App Store.
Stop in the small cafe for a drink or snack. Be aware, they do not accept cash or Amex, but do accept credit and ApplePay.

We have enjoyed similar tea gardens in other cities (Vancouver and San Fransisco stand out as excellent examples), so we had high expectations. We expect a nice stroll in shaded gardens with areas to sit and enjoy the scenery and reflect. We didn't get any of that here. There's a nice "photo opp" over look as you enter the gardens which shows about all you'll see. That is, nice ponds and well maintained flowering plants. But then you go through stone walkways with dozens of other people - often so narrow you need to go single file. We covered it in about 15 min.

Food was overpriced and it was ok. I left something behind on that property. Called and asked to see if that item is still there. Lady was very rude to me for no reason…hung up on me when I asked her to check. Garden was ok to see. Overall, I wouldn’t go back there due to poor customer service.

I absolutely loved visiting the Japanese Tea Garden! It is not only breathtakingly beautiful but a very calming experience. And you can actually get a tea at the cafe. I would recommend anyone to visit!

Even if you only have 5 to 10 minutes you can get out of your car and look at the gardens from the top. Hopefully, you have more time than that and are able to walk to the grounds. A short but relaxing walk around the gardens didn't take a lot of time but was a highlight of a trip to San Antone.

We have been here 2x and brought the kids. Lots of walking, stairs, up/down rocks, so be aware for those who are disabled-you may not be able to go 90% of the places there. It is GREAT for pictures and outdoor an activity.

This is one of the most beautiful sites I have seen in a while. I felt like I could put a chair down and just stare at the beauty. It does not take long to go through it and I suggest you go early in the morning before it gets too hot. But what a beautiful site.

A beautiful and unique experience, plus totally free! Huge koi ponds, beautiful plants, a waterfall, and scenery like you've never imagined. A must see for sure!

This was a beautiful FREE experience!!! Al of the koi fish in the pond were pretty to watch. Well kept, well maintained and so peaceful!

What a beautiful oasis in San Antonio just a wonderful peaceful place to visit. The ponds have koy carp in lovely colours the waterfall and plants are well kept and it is a credit to whoever looks after it. There’s a little cafe which has all you need.

Stopped here to take some pictures and kill some time. Be warned, there are a lot of stairs and narrow walkways so if you are old, very young, or feeble be very careful. I'm 5 months pregnant so a bit awkward and slow, but I'm still able bodied so I was fine. I saw some people walking around with small toddlers and strollers so its possible, but be careful. The views are spectacular here. There were lots of people out taking pictures of the gardens. We arrived after the tea house closed so I couldn't try any, but the grounds are lovely to walk around. We took some nice pictures with some very pretty backgrounds. If you want a free place to take walk and take pictures this is a great place!

Gorgeous!!! So worth the visit! Lovely lay out, beautiful foliage, and overall so stunning! Extra bonus is it’s free! We enjoyed our time here!

The view, oh, the view! An unexpected gem of a garden. Many viewing points each offering a diff eye angle and height from its pond. Is a short visit, worthwhile.

This a nice garden that is within the city limits and it's one of the best free things to do in San Antonio. Not too hard to find and it is worth spending some time here. Beautiful sunken garden with ponds filled with koi. Take about an hour of your day and spend it here

Other then a lot of steps this is a very nice place to visit and just relax. There is a water fall and large pond with Koy fish in it.

The Japanese Tea Garden is FREE! Go there to enjoy a beautiful landscape. The plants and koi ponds are beautiful. GREAT place for pictures, in fact many locals do family, wedding and quinceañera photo shoots there.

What a beautiful tranquil place to visit after visiting other tourist sites. In fact, it was my second favorite on a list of many. Not only was the foliage beautiful, but the many colorful butterflies as well. In other words, a great place for pictures. The waterfall was so picturesque. They do have food but didn't eat there. Very busy: At the time of the visit, parking was hard to find.

It was our favorite type of garden we have been in. It was beautiful but hard to enjoy during a heatwave. We bought some Boba Tea from their shop and gave it mixed reviews. It was beautiful, and it’s hard to beat free.

This place is a hidden gem. Very scenic, peaceful, and free. Parking is free too. Many other attractions in San Antonio either charge admission and/or for parking.

Thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the gardens following the paths and crossing the bridges.

Peaceful and picturesque.

Nice drinks from the little cafe whilst sitting on the terrace.

The area is much smaller than a lot of Japanese gardens than some we have visited in Japan itself but no less enjoyable.

This place is incredibly stunning, and I am shocked that it is free to be at. We had a great time! There's a restaurant and gift shop if you're interested, but we just walked around before going to the zoo, and it was well worth the detour.

Loved the gardens, however lots of steps without railings so watch your step! Staff were busy replanting plants and spreading new mulch but were wonderful to answer a question. Large Koi ponds and many places to sit and reflect. very peaceful

Wonderful first impressions as soon as you get there. On the bottom is a overall spectacular view of a large pond with beautiful fish.

One of best we have visited and no charge
Waterfalls, ridges, views, has a lot.
Up and down if you want, not long distances for walking
Near zoo and botanical

We were amazed at how much had been done to this place since our last visit about 7 years ago. This place is beautiful. Loved the waterfall feature. It didn’t feel too crowded but parking is at a premium.

I love the tea gardens. Very busy this day after lunch—-hard to find a park! Crowded path ways but beauty is still there to see!
Go early!

The gardens were beautiful! It was a bright cool april afternoon. The cafe was cute, staff was polite and order was less than 5 min wait. Parking was easy in front and also seemed to have a lot off the side street up towards the entrance.

We visited here this past weekend. It is a free attraction in San Antonio and I would highly recommend it to anyone. You can take as much or as little time here as you wish, but 1-2 hours is more than enough. It is very peaceful and quiet, even with a wedding proposal we witnessed and several other people taking professional pictures. It was nice and cool, almost making me regret wearing shorts but it was nice just walking around and seeing all the beautiful views and sights. I would love to come back in spring when everything is in full bloom. That's the only reason I didn't give it a 5. I'm sure I would add an extra star with everything in bloom.

An oasis from the hustle and bustle, it’s a lovely place to linger and take in the surrounds. Really not a Japanese garden, it a well thought out landscaped area free to all.

Small but beautiful gardens and waterfall. Tranquil - I sat and read a book for a little while. It's small, and I imagine it could get crowded, but it was not when I was there early in the morning. And it's free, so the price is good.

The Japanese Tea Garden looks really beautiful with its design and structure. It's a great place to check out with a couple of friends and family and to take pictures at. Also it's a lovely place to be at. My favorite part of the garden is the waterfall. And the pricing is free admission.

It's not the best place to be at when its a very hot day or if its raining. Also the The Jingu House was closed when I was vacationing at the time.

Nice walk to take if you are getting to know San Antonio, it is located near the city zoo, it is a free walk, but it is recommended to make a donation. It's very well maintained.

Glorious even in January. I would really love to visit there when everything is in bloom. Make time to visit!

This garden is tucked back away, but it is absolutely beautiful! Well worth the stop, and do not forget to bring your camera!

Very nice garden and nice small trail to do. I went with a toddler and everything went well. Nice pictures and family time.

We had this planned because it was on our way back to our hotel with little expectations. We were pleasantly surprised especially since it was February with little blooming. Still very beautiful. It also gives a good deal of History of what the Japanese contributed to the Garden & San Antonio area. Highly recommend a short visit.

Japanese Tea Garden/Brackenridge Park

I took a guided tour of the Japanese Tea Garden/Brackenridge Park in San Antonio. It was interesting to see what someone was able to do with an old rock quarry. Lots of beautiful waterscapes, plants, fish in a peaceful, calming environment. Some walking required.

We went to the Tea Gardens expecting to pay an entry fee, but to our surprise it was totally free. We walked through this lush garden and took lots of pictures. So enjoyable. Oh and while there there were two weddings or wedding pics being done. Great place for these brides

Good for a short visit. Seemed like some of the high look outs might not be safe for kids running since they could easily fall over.

First time for us to visit this garden. It was a very sunny day and the garden was beautiful, even if lots of flowers were not yet in bloom, mostly pansy's and red bud trees. Maybe a bit later in spring it would be prettier. But we did not regret our visit. It is free and maybe that and the beautiful day caused the parking to be packed, but just be patient. There are numerous angles for creative photography as evidenced by the pretty young ladies getting their Quinceanera portraits.

This is a beautiful place. Have been to San Antonio several times and hadn't heard about this place. Went with another couple who is not really interested in "gardens" but we all loved this place. And it is free!

We strolled over here straight from the zoo - it's literally next door! It's unique and beautiful - tucked away in Brekenridge (sp) Park in San Antonio. They have a nice restaurant and snack shop if you haven't had a chance to grab a bite before coming. It's a lovely, short stroll through gorgeous gardens and plenty of photo ops with the vibrant lush green colors and water feature. My daughter wanted to skip it but she was glad we went once inside.. There is an observation spot where you can see the city skyline - a nice surprise!

A beautiful place to visit and only a short city bus (Via) ride away from downtown. Enjoyed walking through the gardens and seeing the many plants and fish in the water.

This is such a lovely location for taking pictures. Many local teenagers were having their graduation pictures taken here and a cosplayer was also having a photoshoot. This park has free entry and was just a short walk from the zoo. I really enjoyed the architecture and variety of flora and plants. The waterfall is so beautiful. The ponds photograph so beautifully and if you need a drink or snack, there is a little shop that offers a variety of items, including boba tea.

Absolutely beautiful! Arctic frieeze did damage but replanting and much not damaged...very peaceful water features. Lots of steps but some areas wheelchair accessible, parking free and Gardens free.

The park is beautiful! How well laid out! Well, that's very small. So if we're around, yes, we have to go!

This was a beautiful and unique garden, which wonderful architecture and water features. We loved seeing the koi fish and the best surprise was that it is free!