Kubota Garden
History & Context
Kubota Garden exists because Fujitaro Kubota saw beauty in a swamp. In 1927, a Japanese immigrant who had arrived in Washington via Hawaii two decades earlier bought 5 acres of swampland in Rainier Beach with the help of a friend, since Japanese nationals could not legally own property. Kubota had already established his landscaping company in 1923, and the land would serve as nursery, showroom, and family home.
By 1930 he had expanded to 30 acres. In the first three years he completed three foundational projects: the Rockery Wall Showcase, circular lawn areas with a road system, and the Necklace of Ponds. All three functioned as sales rooms for the Kubota Gardening Company. Plants, rocks, and sod were regularly sold from the garden and used in residential landscaping projects across Seattle, including work at the Rainier Club.
Construction continued through the 1930s. The Lily Pond, Rose Garden, and Planting Island were completed before 1936. The Japanese Garden followed between 1938 and 1940. Then the war intervened. During World War II, the Kubota family was interned at Camp Minidoka in Idaho. The garden sat abandoned for four years. At Minidoka, Fujitaro supervised construction of a community park including a Japanese rock garden, continuing to practice his craft even in internment.
After the war, Fujitaro and his sons Tak and Tom rebuilt the business. The Necklace of Ponds received continuous improvements from 1935 through the mid-1970s. In 1962, Fujitaro completed his most ambitious project: the Mountainside, a 65-foot artificial hillside built with over 400 tons of stone, featuring waterfalls, reflection pools, carved stones, and specimen plantings. It commemorated the Seattle World's Fair.
The Japanese government recognized Kubota's work in 1972, awarding him the Fifth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure "for his achievements in his adopted country, for introducing and building respect for Japanese Gardening in this area." He maintained the garden until his death in 1973.
In 1981, the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board declared the core 4.5 acres a historical landmark. In 1987, the City of Seattle purchased the garden from the Kubota family. An additional 17 acres surrounding the park were acquired through the Open Space Program to protect Mapes Creek. The Kubota Garden Foundation, founded in 1989, supports maintenance, fundraising, and educational programming.
Since acquisition, more than 60 improvement projects have been completed. The Tom Kubota Stroll Garden (designed by Fujitaro's son Tom) opened in 2000. Gerard Tsutakawa designed a new entrance gate in 2004. The Stone Garden was added in 2012, the Terrace Overlook in 2015, and the Maple Woods in 2016.
Sources: Kubota Garden Foundation (2019 Master Plan Update), HistoryLink.org, Wikipedia, Seattle Parks and Recreation
Garden Sections
Necklace of Ponds
Series of connected ponds fed by Mapes Creek, the foundational water feature of the garden. Originally constructed in 1927-1930 as one of the first three 'sales room' projects. Continuously improved...
The Mountainside
65-foot artificial hillside built in 1962 to commemorate the Seattle World's Fair. Fujitaro Kubota placed over 400 tons of stone to create waterfalls, reflection pools, and carved stone features. The...
Japanese Garden
Constructed between 1938 and 1940 before the wartime internment. Features traditional Japanese garden elements adapted with locally available materials. Includes mature Japanese maples and trained...
Tom Kubota Stroll Garden
Quiet strolling garden designed by Fujitaro's son Tom Kubota. Features a reflecting pond edged with massive stones, ancient lanterns, and carefully shaped pines and maples. Multiple seating areas...
Bamboo Grove
Stand of Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo) and other bamboo species. A distinctive textural element in the garden. The black bamboo is native to Hunan Province, China, and grows 20-35 feet.
Terrace Overlook
Elevated viewing area completed in 2015. Provides wheelchair-accessible viewpoint over the garden. Available for event reservations (weddings, performances, reunions) for up to 150 guests.
Entry Stone Garden
Entrance area featuring stonework and the Gerard Tsutakawa-designed ornamental gate (2004). Sets the tone for the garden experience.
Maple Woods
Newer garden section added in 2016. Features maples and woodland plantings along shaded trails.
Mapes Creek Natural Area
17 acres of protected open space surrounding the garden, acquired through the City of Seattle Open Space Program to protect Mapes Creek. Native plantings and riparian habitat. Provides ecological...
Visit Log (1 visit)
May 25, 2026
I've visited Kubota Garden multiple times over the years, but this was my first visit with the HortGuide observation lens. Arrived early enough to be the second car in the parking lot, which made a real difference. This can be a busy park later in the day, and the early morning quiet let me pay closer attention to the garden's design than I have before.
What struck me most this time was the trail design. The paths wind through significant elevation changes, and the bends are deliberate. You can't see what's ahead, which creates a sense of discovery at every turn. That's not accidental. Fujitaro Kubota was self-taught but had an intuitive grasp of spatial experience that many formally trained designers don't achieve. The garden makes you want to keep walking.
The water features remain a highlight. The Necklace of Ponds and the Mountainside waterfalls create an acoustic backdrop that changes as you move through the garden. The architectural elements, particularly the stonework and bridges, hold up beautifully.
The Chinese Fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) completely caught me by surprise in full bloom. That was the standout plant moment of the visit. The Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (wedding cake tree) was also striking with its layered branching and variegated foliage. Found a spectacular hosta specimen that I need to identify on a return visit.
The elevation changes across the site create distinct growing environments. The lower areas around the ponds are moist and sheltered; the upper Mountainside sections get more exposure. This diversity in a 20-acre site is part of what makes Kubota interesting from a horticultural observation standpoint.
Notable Findings
- Chionanthus retusus in spectacular full bloom, fragrant white panicles
- Cornus controversa 'Variegata' with excellent form and clean variegation
- Trail design creates continuous sense of discovery through deliberate use of bends and elevation change
- Significant microclimate variation across the site due to elevation and canopy differences
- Hosta 'Fire and Ice' in spectacular vegetative display (sport of 'Patriot', white center with dark green margins)
Return notes (5)
- Document the conifer collection more systematically, especially the mature specimens Fujitaro planted
- Photograph the Mountainside stonework in detail
- Visit in fall for the maple color display, which is reportedly the garden's peak visual season
- Check the Necklace of Ponds area in winter for structure and water flow patterns
- Note any pest or disease observations on the Japanese maples across different microclimates