Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and the Arboretum Foundation will temporarily close the Seattle Japanese Garden this summer to complete a major restoration project that preserves and enhances one of Seattle’s most beloved cultural landscapes.
Closure Dates and Visit:
- Full Garden Closure: June 22 – July 27, 2026
- Reopening: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (Tuesday–Sunday schedule)
- North Section Closure: Through November 2026 during wall construction and landscape restoration
- Regular Seasonal Closure: December through February for winter maintenance
During the five-week closure, contractors will remove an aging retaining wall at the north end of the garden and prepare the site for reconstruction.
We understand this closure may be inconvenient for visitors, members, and the many people who plan trips around the Seattle Japanese Garden. We sincerely appreciate the community’s patience while this important work is completed.
Preserving the Garden’s Historic Design
SPR and the Arboretum Foundation are partnering to replace a deteriorating basalt retaining wall located at the north end of the garden. Replacing the wall will help ensure the long-term stability of the landscape while preserving the historic character of the Seattle Japanese Garden.
The project also includes:
- Construction of a new granite retaining wall using traditional Japanese Ishigaki stone masonry techniques
- New stairways and accessibility improvements to pathways in the north section of the garden
- Restoration planting using specimens consistent with the garden’s original plant palette
The project design also aligns with future improvements planned for the north end of the garden, including a potential pavilion and other enhancements.
Traditional Stone Masonry
The new wall will be constructed using traditional Ishigaki stone masonry, a technique historically used in Japanese castles and gardens.
The work will be led by Suminori Awata, a fifteenth-generation master stonemason from Japan, continuing a centuries-old family tradition of Japanese stone masonry. The timing of the project aligns with when Awata-san is available to travel to Seattle and lead the work, helping ensure the restoration reflects authentic Japanese craftsmanship.
A Rare Opportunity for Visitors
During the full garden closure (June 22–July 27), visitors will not be able to enter the garden or observe the work.
Once the garden reopens on July 28, visitors may have the opportunity to observe master stonemason Suminori Awata at work on the Ishigaki wall during certain times as construction continues in the north section of the garden.
This offers a unique chance to see traditional Japanese stone masonry techniques being practiced in real time while an important restoration project is underway.
What Visitors Can Expect
During the initial closure period, contractors will remove the existing retaining wall and complete grading work in the area. This phase requires heavy equipment and construction vehicles moving through the garden grounds and parking area.
After reopening on July 28, most areas of the garden will again be open to visitors while the north section remains closed for wall construction and landscape restoration. Visitors may notice periodic construction noise during this time.
Construction vehicles will access the site using the service road behind the garden, and trucks will periodically move through the parking lot to transport materials. Traffic impacts outside the garden are not expected.
Supporting the Garden
This project is made possible through generous local donors via the Arboretum Foundation, helping ensure the Seattle Japanese Garden can be enjoyed for generations.
Plan Your Visit
Check the Seattle Japanese Garden website for current hours, updates, and construction progress: www.seattlejapanesegarden.org.
During this project, the Washington Park Arboretum will operate normally, as well as SPR’s other specialty gardens, including Kubota Garden and the Volunteer Park Conservatory. We invite you to explore these other gardens during the closure.
Thank you for your patience as we complete this important restoration project. We look forward to welcoming you back on July 28!
