The Seattle Japanese Garden will be temporarily closed this summer so Seattle Parks and Recreation can restore the north retaining wall.
The project replaces a deteriorating basalt retaining wall with a new granite wall in the traditional Japanese Ishigaki style. The work will be led by Suminori Awata, a fifteenth-generation master stonemason from Japan, bringing authentic craftsmanship to the restoration. Additional improvements include new stairways, accessibility upgrades, and restoration planting consistent with the garden’s historic palette.
The garden will be fully closed from June 22 through July 27, 2026, reopening on Tuesday, July 28 with its regular Tuesday–Sunday schedule.
Following reopening, the north section of the garden will remain closed through November 2026 while the new wall is constructed, and surrounding landscape areas are restored. After construction, the garden will close for its regular winter maintenance from December through February.
Visitors are encouraged to plan their trips and check the Seattle Japanese Garden website for updates.
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