Japanese Tea Gardens
3800 N. St. Mary's, San Antonio
(210) 207-8480

Part of the San Antonio Zoological Garden and Aquarium, San Antonio's semitropical climate encourages the lush flowers, climbing vines, and tall palms found inside this quiet, serene place. The ponds, with beautiful rock bridges and walkways, are home to koi (large goldfish).

This limestone quarry, located in the city's Brackenridge Park, was transformed into a garden in 1918, when fish ponds and a palm-thatched arbor were featured in the development.

Later, a pagoda was added and a Japanese-American couple operated a tea room nearby. In World War II, public pressure forced the family to move, and the tea room was taken over by a Chinese family. The attraction was renamed the Chinese Tea Gardens.

Recently, descendants of that Japanese-American couple, along with the Japanese ambassador to the United States, were hosted as the gardens were officially renamed the Japanese Tea Gardens.

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