Olympia’s Japanese Garden Closing

If you’ve never taken the time to visit Olympia’s Japanese Garden, this may be your last chance for a while.

The Yashiro Japanese Garden is set to close on June 1, and it could be years before it reopens at a new location.

For many in the South Sound, it’s been a quiet, tucked-away place to slow down, and now it’s entering a period of transition.

🌸 A Hidden Gem Since 1990

The garden first opened in 1990 and has served as a peaceful retreat just outside downtown Olympia ever since.

Known for its:

• Carefully maintained landscaping

• Traditional Japanese design elements

• Seasonal changes in color and atmosphere

…it’s been a go-to spot for everything from casual walks to photography and reflection.

For many locals, it’s one of those places you mean to visit, but don’t always get around to.

🏗️ Why It’s Closing

The closure is tied to a larger redevelopment of the property.

The land where the garden currently sits was recently sold to the Squaxin Island Tribe, which plans to transform the site into a destination hotel, restaurant, and meeting space.

As part of that transition:

• The garden will be relocated

• The current site will be cleared

• A new location has not yet been announced

That means there will likely be a significant gap before the garden is accessible to the public again.

⏳ What Happens Next?

While the long-term plan is to preserve and relocate the garden, timelines remain unclear.

Relocating a space like this isn’t simple, it involves:

• Careful planning and design

• Potential reconstruction of key features

• Coordination between multiple stakeholders

For now, there’s no confirmed timeline for when, or where, it will reopen.

🌿 Why It Matters

The Yashiro Japanese Garden represents more than just a green space.

It’s part of Olympia’s cultural and environmental identity, offering a quiet contrast to the city’s growth and development.

As Olympia continues to evolve, moments like this highlight the balance between:

• Preserving meaningful spaces

• Making room for new projects and investment

📅 Your Last Chance

With a June 1 closure date, the next few weeks are the final opportunity to experience the garden in its current form.

Whether it’s your first visit or your last for a while, this is the window to see it before it transitions into its next chapter.

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