Stephen’s 5-star review:
A recovered gem. The Japanese Tea Garden opened in 1919 in an abandoned quarry. The original cost to build the garden was $7,000. Using prison labor helped keep the costs down. Over the years, the garden was neglected and allowed to fall into ruins. Fortunately, in 2007, the city decided to revive this San Antonio treasure and with a $1.6 M investment, the garden reopened to its original splendor in 2008. No prison labor to keep costs down.
Do not be alarmed by the sign over the archway to the trail that leads to the garden. It reads "Chinese Tea Garden". Due to anti-Japanese sentiment that engulfed the country during WWII, the garden was renamed and kept that name until 1984 when it was rededicated as the Japanese Tea Garden.
This is an absolutely beautiful garden. Admission is free which is nice as it ensures more people have access. When you arrive, I recommend going up to the top for a bird's eye view. This gives you a holistic view of the entire garden. After that go down into the garden an experience everything up close. Remember to bring your camera or you will end up kicking yourself.