Japanese Tea Garden ceremony celebrates makeover of its iconic 107-year-old pagoda

Following a two-year restoration project, the Japanese Tea Garden’s towering red pagoda in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has been officially revived to its full glory, 107 years after its appearance at the 1915 world’s fair.

Local officials, history lovers and Japanese American community members on Tuesday welcomed the pagoda post-makeover — fresh carpet, vibrant vermillion, replaced wood and all. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department coordinated a ceremony and taiko drumming performance at the gardens for the occasion.