Picture a tranquil oasis. This is Kubota Garden. It is a 20-acre Japanese garden in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood. Kubota Garden has a rich history. It began in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota.
Fujitaro Kubota was a Japanese immigrant. He arrived from Shikoku, Japan in 1907. He established the Kubota Gardening Company in 1923. Kubota dreamed of showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s beauty in a Japanese style.
In 1927, Kubota bought five acres of swampland. He transformed it into his garden masterpiece. As his company thrived, he expanded the property to 20 acres. Kubota Garden became a cultural hub. It was a home, office, and nursery. The Japanese community gathered here.
However, World War II brought hardship. Kubota and his family were interned at Camp Minidoka in Idaho. They were forced to abandon their home and garden for four years. Yet, even in internment, Kubota created a Japanese rock garden.
After the war, they rebuilt their business. Kubota received the Fifth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Japanese government in 1972. This was for his achievements and for promoting Japanese gardening. He maintained the garden until his death in 1973.
In 1981, the core 4.5 acres became a Seattle landmark. In 1987, the City of Seattle purchased the garden. Now, the Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Kubota Garden Foundation maintain it.
The Open Space Program protected Mapes Creek, which flows through the park. The Tom Kubota Stroll Garden opened in 2000. A new entrance gate, designed by Gerard Tsutakawa, was added in 2004.
The Kubota Garden Foundation supports Fujitaro Kubota’s vision. They aim to increase understanding of Japanese gardens. The garden is open to the public daily. School groups, tourists, and garden clubs visit often. Public tours are held on the fourth Saturday from April to October.
Key features include the Kubota Terrace. Then there is the Bamboo Grove. The Necklace of Ponds is a must-see. Do not forget the Mountainside and the Tom Kubota Stroll Garden.
Kubota Garden features diverse flora. Kuretake or Black Bamboo is here. You will also find Japanese Maple trees. Look out for Blue Atlas Cedar and Norway Spruce.
The Tom Kubota Stroll Garden offers wheelchair access to the Terrace Overlook. Dogs are allowed in the garden. Picnic tables and benches are available. There are portable toilets near the entrance. The Terrace Overlook can be reserved for events.
Fujitaro Kubota brought in 400 tons of stone. He used it to create the mountainside waterfall and other formations. Kubota Garden is more than just a garden. It is a testament to one man’s vision and resilience. It is a blend of Northwest nature and Japanese design. It is a place of beauty, history, and community.