Kubota Garden

Garden · Rainier Beach

Kubota Garden

Garden · Rainier Beach

3

9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

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Kubota Garden by Alamy
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Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null
Kubota Garden by null

Highlights

Nestled in South Seattle’s Rainier Beach, the stunning 20-acre Kubota Garden showcases Japanese landscaping, vibrant Northwest blooms, and peaceful ponds—all free to explore.  

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9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 Get directions

kubotagarden.org
@kubotagarden

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9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 Get directions

+1 206 725 5060
kubotagarden.org
@kubotagarden
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@KubotaGarden

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wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Feb 19, 2025

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@cntraveler

"Hidden fountains, bright-red bridges, koi darting about elegant ponds. At Kubota Garden, 20 acres of gorgeous Japanese gardens await visitors willing to make the trip to the Rainier Beach neighborhood in South Seattle. First started in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, the complex is now part of Seattle’s public park system. Make time to wander; an incredible number of native Northwest flowers, shrubs, and trees grow amid the interweaving paths. Just know that the 15 minute drive each way can grow to 30 or more minutes in traffic." - Naomi Tomky, Jenna Scatena

The 16 Best Things to Do in Seattle
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@afar

"Pacific Northwest plants and Asian aesthetics merge in this stunning 20-acre landscape, secreted away in the South Seattle neighborhood of Rainier Beach. Japanese immigrant Fujitaro Kubota started the garden on a brush-choked, logged-off swamp, which he couldn't even legally own because of discriminatory laws (a sympathetic friend helped out). After spending World War II in an Idaho internment camp, the visionary gardener crafted the graceful streams and waterfalls of the 65-foot-high Mountainside feature. Kubota later added ornamental bridges and a moon-viewing platform. After his death, the city declared his masterwork a historic landmark and eventually took it over as a public park. Free admission, open year-round."

The Best Things to Do in Seattle
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@cntraveler

"Let’s start big picture here? Hidden fountains. Bright-red bridges. Koi darting about elegant ponds. At Kubota Garden, 20 acres of gorgeous Japanese gardens await visitors willing to make the trip to the Rainier Beach neighborhood in South Seattle. First started in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, the complex is now part of Seattle’s public park system. What's the best way to experience it? Make time to wander. An incredible number of native Northwest flowers, shrubs, and trees grow amid the interweaving paths at Kubota. Was it easy to get around? While some tiered paths and small bridges may present challenges for disabled visitors, the majority of the garden is simple to move around and accessible to everyone. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? The gardening skills on display at this plant lover's wonderland will impress even fervent indoor people. But it takes 30 minutes to get here from downtown (and 30 minutes back), so if you don’t have a spare hour, stick to closer parks." - Jessica Voelker

Kubota Garden – Park Review | Condé Nast Traveler
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The Eternalist

Google
It's a nice garden to take a peaceful stroll in. The scenery is beautiful, with small bridges going over streams of water. There is no fee to get in and parking is free.

Jesse James White

Google
Beautiful day-friendly garden with parking and restrooms. The trails weave through the gardens and ponds. Super quiet on a weekday. Our pup loved it. Would recommend and will return.

Saggio Ricercatore

Google
An absolute favorite, hidden treasure in Seattle. A little off the beaten path but worth the rewards of “discovering” this gem. Visit over and over in every season or weather and you will always discover something new in bloom or a surprising nature treat. I have seen turtles, herons, an owl and many other avian friends. I usually encounter one or three other peeps as I walk this pristine sanctuary, but never feel crowded or intruded upon. Great place to meditate, sketch, or practice your tai chi or guitar. Though it is not so large they have done a wonderful job dividing the area with plantings and water features. I always get myself delightfully turned around on the winding trails and waterfall climb, but I feel like an explorer or a kid - never lost, always found. Brochures with map available at the bulletin board out front explain the rich history and some highlights to see. The garden is free but bring a small cash/check donation for the lockbox. You might also bring some little offering to leave in the 2-3 tiny shrines you will come across - a stone, flower or leaf from your own garden perhaps, and connect to this serene retreat. There is a free parking lot and I have always found a space. There are signs posted regarding car prowls - I have never had a problem but I don’t leave anything in the car. I have always felt very safe here even after sunset. If you love it you might consider volunteering for one of their regular work parties.

Joshua Fagan

Google
One of the most enchanting places in Seattle, a true glowing emerald in an area of the city that is otherwise rather unremarkable. This Garden is significantly less visited than the Japanese Garden in the arboretum, but it is far more spacious and extensive. A sense of restraint, the cutting and trimming of the natural environment in order to evoke a particular sense of serene vitality and constant changefulness that exists beyond the caprices of a chaotic and confused world, is central to Japanese aesthetics, and such a contemplative perception is much clearer here than it is in the arboretum garden, as the arboretum garden tends to be so crowded that any contemplative sense is lost. The experience produced here reminds me a little of what I have experienced in the sky spaces in the museum at the University of Washington: not surprising, considering that skyspaces and the whole light and space movement are based off a very Zen aesthetic. The feeling is that of an intensified experience of the natural environment in all of its flux and intensity: not an escape away from nature, but an intensified image of the essence of nature, as opposed to the rigidity and linearity of human expectation. I came here on a bright sunny day and sat in a Grove of enormous but elegantly trimmed evergreens and watched the long slanting shadows gradually shift as the sun made its graceful path across the sky. If that's the kind of feeling you are interested in, you will greatly enjoy this place.

Natalie Lorena

Google
The Kobuta Garden was so beautiful! It is very well maintained, easy to find, and easy to park! It has its own parking lot so you don’t have to find street parking or pay. It’s totally free to enter as well. We parked and walked the park at our own pace which was very nice. Lots to see, beautiful flowers, ponds, small waterfalls/creeks, and many small trails off the main one to explore! So many cool things to see. Highly recommended especially for a free exploration in Seattle!

Mannan Khan

Google
A nice place to enjoy nature! There are many small and tiny ponds with some fishes there. This is on a hilly area and the garden at various levels,so may be difficult for elderly persons. Rest room looks very clean. The whole area is clean and tidy and very quiet. This garden is a free entrance area.

Cassie Deacon

Google
I enjoy this space a lot. I've been there when it's busy, and it was still easy to navigate and see everything without feeling crowded. Today's trip had a large group, but aside from that, it felt like we were basically there alone. gorgeous and well maintained

Keaton Ambridge

Google
While it is slightly out of the way in relation to downtown Seattle Kubota should definitely top your list for fall colours within the city. Unbelievably its a massive completely free of charge Japanese garden that covers a vast array of garden styles and systems. My suggestion is to attempt to traverse as much accessible pathways you can (obviously stick to those marked). Don't be afraid to follow the little packed earth or stepping stone paths that surround the two bridges for example or cover the mountain area. Those are shown on the map as greyed out paths that many likely skip. Take the long path as much as possible to enjoy all the sights and get away from your other walkers.