The Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, originally created for the 1894 California Midwinter Exposition and lovingly maintained ever since. Five acres of meticulously landscaped grounds include arched drum bridges, a five-storey pagoda, stone lanterns, koi ponds, and a tea house where you can sit with a cup of green tea and Japanese sweets.
The garden is small enough to see in an hour but beautiful enough to linger. The high drum bridge -- designed so its reflection in the water forms a perfect circle -- is one of the most photographed spots in Golden Gate Park. Visit early in the morning or on a weekday to have the paths nearly to yourself.