San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio (must see)

The San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, also known as the Sunken Gardens, is a historic landmark in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio. This serene garden, nestled in an abandoned limestone quarry, reflects a unique blend of cultural heritage, architectural ingenuity, and natural beauty. Officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, it remains a beloved attraction near the San Antonio Zoo.

Originally a limestone quarry supplying stone for San Antonio landmarks like the Menger Hotel, the site was repurposed in 1880 by the Alamo Cement Company, whose kiln chimney remains a historical marker. After operations ceased in 1908, City Parks Commissioner Ray Lambert led efforts in 1917 to transform the quarry into a garden, using prison labor to create walkways, bridges, an island, and a pagoda.

The garden’s entrance features a Torii gate designed by Mexican-born artist Dionicio Rodriguez, known for his distinctive concrete techniques that mimic wood. In 1919, the city invited Kimi Eizo Jingu, a Japanese-American artist and tea expert, to manage the garden. Alongside his wife Miyoshi, Jingu opened the Bamboo Room, serving tea and light refreshments, while raising their eight children on-site. Kimi’s dedication to the tea trade and his role in the garden’s upkeep left a lasting legacy.

However, during World War II, rising anti-Japanese sentiment led to the eviction of the Jingu family in 1941. To protect the site from vandalism, the garden was renamed the Chinese Tea Garden, with the Wu family overseeing operations until the 1960s. Decades later, in 1984, Mayor Henry Cisneros led efforts to restore its original name, honoring the Jingu family’s contributions in a ceremony attended by their descendants and representatives of the Japanese government.

Today, the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden stands as a testament to cultural resilience and historical preservation, offering visitors a peaceful escape amid lush greenery and striking architectural features.