After two years of renovations, the Japanese Tea Garden is finally open again! It will take a little time to get everything grown back to it's natural beauty, but for now, it's still beautiful. We tookd so many pictures because there were too many lovely settings to choose from. Below are a few of our favorites.
Ever notice the confusion as to the origins of this garden? Is it Chinese or Japanese? Chinese Tea Gardens, Japanese Tea Gardens, Sunken Garden Theatre (just next door, same entrance). What's the deal. Well, this are was originally an unsightly quarry. In an attempt to beautify the area, it was turned into a garden. A Japanese-American family moved in to build upon and keep the garden. They opened a Japanese lunch and tea room. Too bad they don't have that anymore... sounds wonderful!

Sadly, the Japanese family was made to leave during WWII because of the American fear of the Japanese during the war. A Chinese family moved in and added the Chinese-style entrance you see in the picture. Notice it says Chinese Tea Garden. Eventually, the garden was rededicated to the children of the original Japanese family that originally lived here.

If you haven't visited this garden, you can't miss it while you're here! It's relaxing and beautiful. It's winding paths take you through hanging foliage, blooming trees, over artistically formed bridges and past a beautiful waterfall. Just a warning to lead you out of this romantic text, a toddler boy will love to run the paths... and you'll be catching his near falls where there are no rails at some twenty to thirty feet drops!