02 September 2016

Dog-Friendly Kubota Garden in Seattle

Zen and dogs usually do not go together. The Japanese Garden in Portland bans pets as does the Seattle Japanese Garden. However the Kubota Garden in Seattle allows dogs as long as they are leashed and you clean up after them. It is also open year-round during daylight hours and free.


The 20-acre garden is owned by the City of Seattle which bought it from the Kubota family in 1987. It was founded in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, a self-taught gardener and immigrant from the Japanese island of Shikoku. The gardens on the Seattle University campus and the Japanese Garden at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island are also his work.


The garden is less manicured and more "wild" than the Japanese gardens I am accustomed to seeing. Which makes a lovely place to bring dogs without worrying that they're going to wreck something perfectly landscaped. The garden's casual atmosphere also lends itself to a variety of activities. 
There was a group practicing martial arts and a big wedding party that arrived in a Hummer limo and people rehearsing lines from a script. 


Mr. N evidently approved as he perched on a rock and refused to leave until we took his picture. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for dog-friendly activities in Seattle. 

45 comments:

  1. What a lovely place to explore Mr N,xx Speedy

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  2. What a beautiful garden! Mr. N looks so cute!

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  3. Thank you Mr. N. I so want to travel out west with Dexter. Your posts are really making me think of a road trip!

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  4. What beautiful pictures! I've never been to a Japanese garden.

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    1. This is the second one I've been to. I guess the West Coast has a lot.

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  5. That's so great! I always wish I could bring Henry to the bontanic garden a couple of miles from my apartment. Looks like a great day!

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  6. That looks lovely! We don't have any Japanese gardens that Barley can visit here--the botanical garden has one, but they quit allowing dogs many years ago, so Barley's never been. Luckily, we have our arboretum that is still pretty "zen."

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    1. Yeah, the arboretum here allows dogs but we haven't been in a while. They charge for parking now.

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  7. What a fun and pretty place to visit AND pose for perfect pictures. Well done, Mr. N.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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  8. Gorgeous photos. I have family in that area, wonder if we take Alberto with us on his harness and leash if the garden is "cat friendly". Alberto is more like a dog in a cat suit anyway.

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  9. I'm so glad that you could find such a nice garden that allows dogs. It looks beautiful there and it sounds like everyone really enjoys it. Mr. N must have loved all the great spots to pose in. :)
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  10. These gardens look magical, we'll add them to our must visit list if we're ever in Seattle.

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  11. It may not be perfectly manicured, but it is still beautiful! It is great that this garden is open for the public to enjoy. We don't have many of those over here. Mr. N is adorable as usual. He gets to go a lot of awesome places! :)
    -Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

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    1. There's a lot of public parks and other things open to the public here.

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  12. You do manage to find some amazing places to visit! Thank you for sharing this with us. Even though we're not there, it brings a sense of peace and tranquility to look at the photos.

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  13. What a beautiful place! Love the fact it's dog friendly, so many gardens restrict dog access. Thanks to you and Mr. N for sharing with us!

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  14. What a beautiful garden and so nice you could explore with Mr N.

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  15. Beautiful pics! Looking very serene (and handsome, of course), Mr. N!

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  16. What a beautiful place, it looks so peaceful

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  17. Mr. N adds to the lovely atmosphere there. I can only imagine how much fun it is for people to see him out and about!

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  18. Boy oh boy you get around Mr N.! We love learning about new places and are so glad you get out & about to show us Seattle.

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  19. Mr N, you get to go to the coolest places! What a lovely garden.

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  20. This looks like a beautiful garden to visit. Mr. N really does get around.

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  21. Wow! This garden is really pretty! I'm glad they allow dogs that have responsible owners!

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  22. That's really beautiful! I love Japanese gardens, they're so peaceful. There's one here that occasionally serves traditional Japanese tea, it's lovely.
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  23. I love a little Zen, and your pictures are very soothing, Mr. N!

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  24. What a beautiful place! Mr. N looks like he fits right in.

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  25. Lovely <3 Many gardens are not usually dog friendly. We love Seattle and hope to visit again with SUGAR. Golden Woofs

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