Beautiful garden that has no admission price (free, but donations accepted) and dog friendly. Kubota is located in a residential garden, next to a church with it's own parking lot. As for the history of how Kubota Garden came to be, Fujitaro Kubota acquired this lot of land in 1927 and build this garden (at one point, his sons also helped with this project). It took him a very long time to complete it, which was in 1962. Mr. Kubota passed away at the age of 94 in 1973. The city of Seattle acquires the garden from the Kubota family. In 1999, the Tom Kubota (one of Fujitaro's sons who originally founded this garden) Stroll Garden was built (sadly Tom Kubota died at the age of 87 in 2004). This garden is really big and you really can get lost in it, as there is a lot to see and plenty of easy trails to take. I came here with my husband and our little girl dog on a Monday. It had rained earlier in the morning and so the dirt path was wet, but walking around was not difficult. It was nice to see the beautiful flowers, different type of greenery and colors of fall starting to show. We eventually found the waterfall, which just added to our relaxing and peaceful day. By the way, there are portapotties here but are incredibly disgusting/ dirty. So please be sure to use the restroom before you go (or drive somewhere else to use the restroom when you are done). For the guided paths in this garden, some of it is shady and some of it is not. So be sure to bring a hat to shield your face from the sun. This garden is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area and/ or looking for a perfect place to do a photo shoot (weddings can also be held here). read more

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There is not a lot of parking within the area. If it gets full, you will have to do street parking. come prepared as the only "restroom" facilities were two portable toilets- plan accordingly. If you don't mind those types of amenities, you're good! You can have a guided tour if you like or if you prefer to do a self guided tour, don't forget to grab yourself a map. This place seems to be very popular for walking dogs, stroll with a family, or even having your family portrait taken. Keep in mind, any commercial photography will require a permit. Clean and beautiful garden to come and explore more than once. I do appreciate that they remove trees that pose a hazard to the public. By removing one tree, they plant two. read more

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I got to know about this park when my friend asked me to go. Initially, you might think it's a boring park because there is nothing in the front. You walk past the entrance gate, and you'll see a humongous bell. You'll want to take a picture or two pictures with your friend(s). Then, you'll walk to the Terrace Area. You likely will stand leaning on the railing and look into the dirty pond. Who cares if the pond is dirty? You continue to look ahead to realize, "Wow! This park is actually spacious!" Then, you get away from the Terrace Area and walk down to the center of the garden. You'll feel like you're lost in an Asian place, you'll likely see two or three people walking by you or behind you. If you keep walking, you likely bump into these people because at this point... The center of the garden is like a huge loop around. But who cares? Keep walking some more, and you'll encounter a super steep bridge. If you pay attention closely to the bridge railing, you see carvings of people left behind. Yes, one of my friends was proposed the biggest question of her life by her fiancé. Take some more pictures, and you come across another bridge. This bridge will have another access way for you to walk through another pond. If you're lucky, you might see 2 ducks, and one of them will have its butt in the air. You see some more creeks within the pond, and you will be like, "Ahhhh.... This is peaceful!" There is the pond with the Koi fish , and there's an area covered with trees (without leaves). I like the area covered with trees because I can sit on the bench. As I sit on the bench, I like to imagine about a ninja flying around. Fun stuff. After that, you will go home and say, "I am so glad I've found this park. I'll take my date to this place next time." read more

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This garden is larger than you would expect! Best of all (and unlike many other Japanese gardens), it's completely free. Took me about an hour to walk through the whole thing. Easily bus-able, and there is a parking lot right by the entrance. read more

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Serene and beautiful. Great place for a quick walk and peaceful surroundings. Would be great for a picnic too.

I came during the snow storm so we were able to walk off the path without knowing and it was heavenly. Gorgeous and peaceful. Small waterfall and small bodies of water with tons of places to sit and enjoy. read more

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Such a beautiful place to walk around, dog friendly which is a major bonus. My kids love to watch the fish/ducks and turtles in the big/little ponds. Good place for a family picnic/photos. Only down side is the bathrooms are porta potties so plan accordingly. read more

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If you're looking for some "shinrin yoku" (forest bathing), this is the right place. This is an oasis in Seattle. Very different than the University Japanese Garden. The one at the University is smaller, but is a meticulously cared for and maintained garden- what you expect from a Japanese garden. Kubota is a little more "wild." So they are hard to compare because they are totally different. Kubota is huge and you can easily spend hours there exploring the whole garden (especially if you're with a photographer like I was with my husband). There are many different bridges, streams, and ponds. The colors in the fall are stunning. I would imagine it's beautiful in the spring too. Entry is free, as is parking (there is a small lot, or street parking if the lot is full). Bring your camera and walking shoes and enjoy your time in the garden. read more

What a cool Japanese Garden! And the best part is that there's no cost to get in. During my recent trip to Seattle, we wanted to get away from the downtown area and explore other parts of Seattle. This was one of the recommended places to go from my trip planning research. You could grab a map and do a self-guided tour or walk around aimlessly throughout and still have a good time. There weren't too many people on the day I went and you'll be sure to enjoy the nice open space, quietness, and serene setting of the garden. The waterfall, foliage , and garden itself was a wonderful background for picture-taking. read more

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Underwhelming and boring foliage. I don't know if this is due to CoVID or budget cuts or what but this park just fails miserably if it's trying to cut it as a Japanese garden. While it's nice to walk through, there really isn't much to look at. No koi in the ponds, most of the flowers were dried up, and you basically see the same mix of Japanese maple trees over and over again. This is in August when I visited by the way. Parking also a huge hassle. Very small and narrow lot with backed up cars waiting for a spot. Luckily there is plenty of street parking next to the park. I would pass on this place. Seattle has a plethora of other beautiful parks that would make up for this. read more

Stunning! This garden has been around for 90+ years and is very well maintained. It's like being in another world. Admission is free. There are a lot of flowers, trees, and shrubbery to see. There are ponds and various koi with turtles. I've been here once in winter and once in the spring, and it was beautiful both times. I would recommend coming here for anytime you want respite from the world, a picnic lunch, or even a humble wedding. There are various benches, walking trails and photo opportunities. This is one of my favorite gardens in Seattle. This is a Japanese garden that is maintained by the city so it is not as immaculate as a typical Japanese garden. That said, it is still beautiful and serene here. Warning: The neighborhood is sketchy so make sure you don't leave any valuables in your car. read more

Kubota Garden - The gorgeous front gates to the garden. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This Chinese park really the most beautiful, i spent here around 5 hours and was so exited! Recommend!

Beautiful in the spring! Free and not super crowded. Parking was under construction! But not hard to park. read more

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Beautiful in the fall! No cost, no appointment needed like the Japanese Garden in the Arboretum, but equally incredible. read more

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Came here on our last day in Seattle before we headed to the airport. It was raining but we still managed to quickly stroll through the garden and trek through the mud. It was pretty empty on a Saturday at around 5PM. The botanical garden was huge and you can hear waterfalls and streams trickling with water in every direction. There were also some bridges you can cross and it's a nice spot to take pictures with all the pretty flowers and plants. We even saw a wedding party leaving with their photographer as we were entering. I was wary of staying in the garden long since there were some mischievous looking kids hanging around there. And as another Yelper mentioned, since there was no security there, I wouldn't be surprised if your car was broken into. Also, I wish there were signs around the gardens on how to get back to the main entrance. read more

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This is hands down my favorite park in Seattle. Every season this garden manages to be a new refreshing sight. My favorite time of year is Fall when the Japanese Maples start changing color giving the landscape a warm fire like glow. I love the ginkgo trees in the fall as well with their ruffled texture and golden yellow glow. There are many different spots to feel removed from the rest of the world and find your own peace. The most iconic spots are the bridges and looking ponds. To my surprise recently I've noticed in the past year that there are turtles in one of the ponds! The looking ponds have koi and are well maintained. In fact this park at any given time usually has some of their team of volunteers providing diligent upkeep which is largely the reason this park is such a joy to visit. Don't be surprised to find you are in the company of people getting the perfect shot for their engagement, wedding, family portrait, etc. read more

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Beautifully and thoughtfully laid out gem of a park. Very worthwhile to enjoy serenity when we had experienced the hustle and confusion of the city. Just what our Seattle get-away needed! read more

This Hidden Gem has to be one of my favorite walking places. If you have allergies I recommend taking an allergy medicine in advance. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. Not only that it was breathable arguably some of the best weather Seattle will have all summer. I took advantage of this by taking a walk through the historical Garden. This is a wonderful place to go by yourself for meditation or with family to get some energy out. With beautiful views of gorgeous trees, bushes, flowers, and big blue sky this Garden is a sereen visual. It's larger than you think. With many twists and turns of pathway you will find there is ample mileage to Rome. Your kids can run & Frolic carefully. Or you can take the dogs out for a adventure. I also recommend this place for national and large groups. It's definitely worth it visiting. read more

Kubota Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Sometimes the cure for what ails you is a temporary communion with nature. Nestled in the neighborhoods of South Seattle is the wondrous Kubota Garden. It is extraordinary, especially when you consider the vision that must have gone into its creation. Fujitaro Kubota created a place for everyone to find their own slice of zen, all for FREE. There are other Japanese gardens to visit and appreciate but not all of them are free, making Kubota a significant asset to the community. Because it's common to take natural spaces and develop them, its wonderful that this space is preserved. Kubota's site notes the following, "When the 20-acre property became a target for condominium developers, community groups encouraged the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board to designate the 4.5-acre core area of the garden as a Historical Landmark. In 1981 the American-Japanese Garden created by Fujitaro Kubota was declared to be an Historical Landmark of the City of Seattle." Being a historical landmark means Kubota Garden will be here for many generations to discover and enjoy. *As of July 2020, the parking lot is closed but even on a weekend there is close-by street parking available.* read more

It was just starting to be spring when I visited and even though everything was not in full bloom it was beautiful. We spent about an hour wandering about but I could easily have spent another. If you live in the area there are so many places to read! It is very quiet and peaceful, it was the last place I visited before leaving WA and it was a great conclusion to the trip. read more

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A gem of a park tucked away in south Seattle. The trees and bushes are just starting to bloom, so we were treated to beautiful camellia and magnolia blossoms scattered throughout the park. We wandered aimlessly, stopped briefly at the covered pavilion, and wound our way around the multiple koi ponds and over the arched bridges. As we walked, we were surrounded by mature evergreens. Despite there being multiple photo shoots going on and many people walking their pups, the park remained serene and relaxing. It's a bit out of the way, but definitely worth a visit! read more

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The best time to come here is the fall when seasons are changing but before the leaves fall. It's sooo beautiful. I've seen so many engagements happen here and it is a very pretty backdrop. There is a little red bridge and mini waterfalls. You can loop around the garden in less than an hour. You can play under some brush or walk along the paved sidewalk. It's not too bad and parking has never been an issue. There's always a crowd when I go but the place is spacious it never seems too crowded. read more

Beautiful fall foliage and lush green everywhere is what I love most about the Pacific Northwest in the fall. This was a nice way to relax and spend an hour on our last day in Seattle. - FREE admission and parking - Safe and enjoyable for young children. My toddler enjoyed running around wide open areas. Paths are well marked. Overall, very serene and a beautiful place. What a nice change of scenery for this desert dweller. A bit disappointed with the koi pond. Annoyance: the teens that come here primarily to smoke. Did not get to enjoy the terrace area because of this. I would love to see this place in the spring time! read more

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Highlights: - Free entry for you, your family, and even the dog (on a leash)! - Large enough to get lost in - More wild feel than the Japanese Gardens at the Arboretum While the Japanese garden in the arboretum is more well known, I would easily argue that a trip to Kubota Garden is a far more worthwhile experience. Though a little bit out of the way, Kubota is free to enter, you can even bring a dog and the garden itself is huge! It's incredibly easy to get lost in. The garden itself has a more wild and overgrown (though still curated) feel to it than the arboretum gardens, but still incredibly picturesque with plenty of photo opportunities (the garden in fall is absolutely unbeatable with all the changing colors). If you're visiting Seattle and want to visit a garden, I highly recommend Kubota for its expansive space, diverse landscape and history. read more

This place is sooo beautiful!!! It's crazy how big this place is. I can literally roam around in different scenic areas and take a million pictures everywhere I go! Seattle-rs are super nice and willing to help you find things you want. I bumped into a kind gentleman that told us the directions of where to find the bridge or various waterfalls. I would recommend dressing up warm and comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting dirty since it was a bit muddy when I came here. Take some time and appreciate a little bit of mother nature out here. There's a parking lot right outside so it's really easy to just go in and exit without the hassle of worrying paying meter or anything like that. read more

Kubota Garden - Kubota garden panorama view! - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This garden is located in a random area, and it's not very welcoming to have signs everywhere about high amounts of auto theft... But we decided to clear out the car, lock it, and check out the garden anyway! I was very glad we did. The garden is kept up very well (we actually saw some people working on up-keep). I loved the ponds, bridges, and funky looking trees all around. I wish there were more flowers... But the garden is beautiful none the less! If you're in south Seattle definitely check this place out, it's worth the little stroll and makes for some good pics. Also... It's free!!! Yay. read more

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This garden is absolutely gorgeous!!! It's perfect for a morning stroll on a clear, warm Seattle day. There's tons of trees and flowers in bloom that make every turn so interesting to look at. It's kid and dog friendly, so bring the whole family! There were even a few picnics on the grass patches along the beds of water. It's such a gem just outside of the city that's a must visit. And even better is it's completely free to visit! read more

This truly is a great park to escape the hustle and bustle of Seattle. The park is actually quite large, despite it's appearance when you first arrive. Actually, there are so many trials and nooks weaved throughout the park, it's easy to get lost inside! The park is free, but they do accept donations. They appear to be dog friendly. There are tons of benches throughout for you to stop and take a break. I wouldn't say this was a tourist destination or anything of that sort, but it's definitely a nice escape for those of us living in Seattle! It's essentially a large city park, rather than a true "garden." Kubota is impeccably maintained. You won't see a piece of trash anywhere and all of the pathways, even the hidden pathways, are completely swept of leaves and debris. ADA: This park is fully accessible. They have all the main pathways leveled, and everything is incredibly well maintained. Not all of the paths are paved, however most are. We went after it had been raining non-stop for about a week and mud wasn't an issue for us at all. There are definitely smaller pathways that someone with difficulty walking would have trouble doing, but you can always get around everywhere on the main path. Parking: There is a free parking lot right by the entrance of the park. This seemed to be plenty spacious and relatively safe. If the lot becomes full, you can park for free on the streets nearby. Bathrooms: Porta-potties only. They are located right near the entrance to the park. read more

Came for there soft opening at there new location. It was amazing with a great dog park including jungle gym and a wading pool. With over size yard games to play and hang out with your friend. A full bar and a grill inside. Since it was soft opening didn't get to try there full menus. I'm excited to go back and try it. Went back and tried the food human and dog. The dogs thinks it's delicious and I would agree. read more

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This spot is so pretty, great views definitely great for wedding pictures, graduation pictures, etc read more

Kubota Garden - Kubota Garden in south Seattle - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Both me and my wife visiting from out of town had a really good time trekking around all the little side trails and taking in the beautiful landscape. The park is definitely a good way to spend the day! read more

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Wonderful Japanese garden feels magical to walk through. Kubota is huge, and you can almost get lost in it. With every turn, there is something new that you wouldn't expect. There are multiple ponds with bridges to walk across that lead to different paths. You may even spot a koi fish! If you just want to have a picnic or relax, there are plenty of open fields to do so. When I went, I only encountered 5 people during my whole visit, so it isn't super crowded. It's also free to get in, and there's a parking lot with no cost. I've been to many Japanese gardens across Seattle, but none feel and look the same as Kubota garden. This is an amazing visit for any time of the year. read more

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Beautiful park- fun to get take out food and eat a Bahn Mi for breakfast or some lunch on the over look area. This park is beautiful year round with different plants blooming and clear walking paths. Advice: go early to avoid crowds (lots of young kids and families running around) which makes it hard/impossible to social distance read more

Kubota garden is a great way to enjoy a nice day. It's larger than the Japanese Garden so allows for more exploration and getting in more steps! It's also free which is so nice. There is a large open space where we want to do a picnic when it's nice again. There are some spaces that weren't totally curated to perfection as I've seen in some other gardens and also...we saw a rat when we were there...which are the reasons why I'm giving it a 4 but we'll definitely be back and I highly recommend!! read more

Kubota Garden - Bridge in Kubota - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is an amazing garden. It is not sketchy at all, and everything is clean and well kept. It is great for pictures and it's free! Walking around isn't too bad, and i was able to make it out ok with 3 inch heels. read more

So lovely... relaxing... it is a great place to find solace and center yourself.. to go with a date or someone you enjoy talking to or sitting and not talking to.. it is a great place to think... I adore Japanese Gardens.. they have just peace.. this one is lovely... read more

Kubota Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Yay I hope I can make a happy Halloweens sweater for Halloween costumes and and some rest and Christmas

I hadn't heard of this place until I saw a really pretty fall photo someone posted on Reddit. And then I looked it up and found out it's free!! I came on my own one brisk Saturday morning and spent a lovely hour just leisurely walking around. I arrived about 10 AM and the parking lot was already full, but I was able to find street parking. Even so, it didn't feel too crowded yet. They offer a free tour at 10 AM some mornings (check schedule on website). I may do that next time to learn more. I can't wait to see this place in the spring! read more

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Quiet Japanese garden. So beautiful! When I went here, I met a dog-owner who'd brought her dog there for one last frolic before he was put down to spare him the pain of diabetes. The sadness enhanced the experience. read more

If I could give negative number of stars I would. People will smash your windows even if they don't see anything. You will notice there's plenty of parking for such a nice garden. There's a reason for that. It's so unsafe. Don't let the greenery fool you. There are people watching you. When you leave your car, boom. Don't ever leave anything in your car. Not one thing. Actually just skip this park all together if you're gonna bring your car. Just Uber. Police won't help, no security. Beware of this place! read more