Seike Japanese Garden

Tucked into the east corner of the property, the Seike garden is a place to discover and then visit again and again throughout the different seasons. A gravel path zigzags down the hill, past viewing spots and benches, to the base of this pond-and-mountain style garden. Please help us control soil erosion by respecting fenced areas.

Our Story

The 1500-square-foot pond and the stream and waterfall towering above it, are crossed by many bridges, creating a sense of space and travel, with scenic points tucked into each level. See if you notice the stones that form a giant turtle climbing out of the lower pond. Many of the plants were from Shinichi Seike’s personal collection, including a gnarled laceleaf Japanese maple now more than 100 years old. Red and Black pines installed as saplings are now magnificent hand-pruned specimens. In 2021, the garden will install the last trees to complete the garden design.

What Do You See?

This beautiful garden was previously located at the former site of the Des Moines Way Nursery in the city of SeaTac. In danger of being sold due the expansion of SeaTac Airport, the project to save the garden is believed to be the largest relocation of a Japanese Garden ever attempted in the United States. This Garden was the private collection of the Seike family, a Highline family whose story of injustice, displacement and courage, can be found (here) The garden is at once a beautiful place to find peace and contemplation, a faithful recreation of designer Shintaro Okada’s intent, and an historical amenity.