San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, Japanese garden in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, United States.
San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden is a Japanese garden within Brackenridge Park, developed within a former limestone quarry space. The grounds feature stone bridges, shaded pathways, koi ponds, and a waterfall dropping approximately 60 feet (18 meters).
A cement company began operations here in 1880, marking one of the earliest industrial plants of its kind west of the Mississippi River. The quarry was later transformed into a garden, which remained under family management until wartime pressures brought administrative changes.
The space reflects how Japanese gardening traditions found a home in Texas, blending specific plant arrangements and water features that hold meaning in Japanese design. Visitors walking through can sense this cultural connection through the careful placement of stones, plants, and flowing water that follows those principles.
The garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset with no admission fee, making it accessible to all visitors. The location on a main street offers convenient access for those exploring the park area.
The entrance gate, designed by artist Dionicio Rodriguez, replicates the traditional Japanese Torii style using concrete shaped to resemble wood grain and natural forms. This handiwork reveals a creative approach to blending Japanese design with local craftsmanship and available materials.
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