Sipping Tea at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, California
Nestled beneath cypress, pine, and cherry trees and surrounded by stalks of bamboo, the Japanese Tea House invites you to relax with a cup of tea and soak in the beauty of the serene, natural surroundings that make up the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Wind chimes tinkle in the breeze as waitresses dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos serve tea with a complimentary bowl of sesame sticks and fortune cookies. Linger awhile in this little, wooden sanctuary before wending your way through the rest of the park.
Immaculately manicured trees and shrubs are punctuated with traditional Japanese elements in this, the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. From marveling at the multi-storied red pagoda to the harrowing walk up and over the steep drum bridge, you actually feel transported to Japan. And, in keeping with that vicarious travel, there is a tea house that, once a week, hosts authentic Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations; other days of the week you can simply enjoy tea and goodies in the tea room while overlooking the gardens.
Lower yourself slowly onto the bench. Inhale gently, feel your breath crest, turn, and roll back. Rest your eyes on the Zen gravel garden in the Japanese Tea Garden of Golden Gate Park. Waves of raked gravel lap at the bonsai-tree-ed island, watched over by the craggy boulder that represents a mountain. Close your eyes and let the fingers of sunlight and the tinkling of bird song caress you to peace. Bask in the living stillness, as you allow your mind allows you to settle. Remain. Inhale gently, feel your breath crest, turn, and roll back. Open your eyes for a final glimpse of eternity. Now retire to the cafe for a cup of green tea, and a further slice of introspection.
Nestled beneath cypress, pine, and cherry trees and surrounded by stalks of bamboo, the Japanese Tea House invites you to relax with a cup of tea and soak in the beauty of the serene, natural surroundings that make up the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Wind chimes tinkle in the breeze as waitresses dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos serve tea with a complimentary bowl of sesame sticks and fortune cookies. Linger awhile in this little, wooden sanctuary before wending your way through the rest of the park.
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