All the Autumn Vibes at the Seattle Japanese Garden

Brooke
Nov 4
3 min read

Twisted branches of a Japanese maple tree with vibrant red and orange leaves create a vivid, natural pattern. The mood is peaceful and autumnal. Seattle Japanese Garden

Fall is a magical time of year in parts of the United States. From crisp weather, to warm apple cider donuts, and the trees. The trees are what steal the show each year.

Everything I had known about the magic feeling of fall came from my first twenty years of life living in New Jersey. Once I moved out to Hawaii, fall feelings were mostly a relief that the temperatures would return from the hot days of summer to the warm but comfortable days of winter. The autumnal vibes that the Northeast is known for are not seen in Hawai‘i. And that's okay - Hawai‘i has it's other charms.

What I didn't know was that the Pacific Northwest (PNW) had a similar version of fall to the Northeast. This may seem obvious, but fall in the Northwest is not nearly as celebrated countrywide as, say, New England where leaf peeping is a national pastime. But for those out west who want their own version of leaf peeping while wearing cozy sweaters and drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes, then don't sleep on the PNW.

And if you're heading up this way anyway, be sure to time your visit with one of Seattle's best leaf peeping spots - the Seattle Japanese Garden. Here, you can wander the peaceful paths and gaze upon various maples, larches and other trees as their leaves brighten with pops of oranges, yellows and reds. The tranquil setting is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year, but in the fall, it really shines.

Let me show you what you can expect, and gird your loins for lots of leaf peeping shots below.

Vibrant red maple tree in a serene Japanese garden with mossy stones and a lantern, surrounded by lush greenery and fallen leaves. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Nestled within the Washington Park Arboretum, the Seattle Japanese Garden is a quiet respite from the busy city that surrounds it. Stepping inside is like escaping to a landscape in a far away location, as its design honors the principles of "shizensa, or the essence of nature."

Person in a gray jacket stands in a vibrant autumn garden with red and orange trees, a small stream, and a clear blue sky. Seattle Japanese Garden.

And you really can feel the essence of nature, as paths gentle meander around streams that stumble down the short hills, with brightly colored leaves catching a ride down towards the larger lake that acts as a focal point.

Woman in a gray coat stands under vibrant red and orange trees in a lush garden, capturing autumn's colorful display. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Two people walk on a stone path through a vibrant forest with colorful autumn leaves in red, orange, and green. The atmosphere is peaceful. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Stone paths take you up and around the beautiful garden, allowing you to change vantage points amongst all of the colorful foliage.

People walking in a serene garden with vibrant autumn trees in red, orange, and green hues. Stone path meanders through lush foliage. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Japanese garden with vibrant red and green foliage, a small stone lantern, and a gentle waterfall, creating a peaceful autumn scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Graceful Japanese elements are sprinkled throughout the space, from small statues and urns to the larger tea house which hosts events throughout the year.

Autumn scene with red and orange maple trees under a clear blue sky. People stroll beneath, adding a peaceful mood. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Serene garden with vibrant autumn leaves, a wooden bench, and a path winding through lush greenery. Sunlight highlights oranges and reds. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Also throughout the garden are quiet benches to take a few moments of contemplation and appreciation for the beauty around you.

Autumn trees with vibrant red and orange leaves in a sunlit garden, under a clear blue sky, evoke a serene and colorful atmosphere. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Vibrant orange and red tree with fine leaves in a sunlit garden. Greenery surrounds, with a partly cloudy sky above. Peaceful autumn scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

As you can see, I visited the gardens at different times of the months of October, with the later parts of the month putting on a more vibrant display of color, to the earlier portion of the month showing slight changes that portend the beauty to come.

Person in gray jacket stands by a pond in a lush garden. Green trees, blue sky, and a stone lantern create a serene atmosphere. Seattle Japanese Garden.

People walk on a bridge over a pond in a vibrant garden with colorful autumn trees. Clear blue sky and lush greenery enhance the serene scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Woman in gray jacket stands on a wooden bridge overlooking a tranquil pond in a vibrant autumn garden with colorful trees and clear blue sky. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Tranquil garden scene with people walking by a pond reflecting autumn trees under a clear blue sky. Greenery and vibrant foliage abound. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Tranquil garden with a pond, lily pads, and lush trees under a clear blue sky. People walk along the path, enjoying the serene setting. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Autumn trees with red and yellow leaves surround a tranquil pond. People walk along the path, creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Seattle Japanese Garden.

I've also visited the garden during different times of the day, skewing to the earlier hours to midday, as well as various forms of weather, from bright sunny days to the more classic PNW gloomy cloud covered days. Any time spent in the garden is a good time to be in the garden, regardless of time of day or weather.

Sunny garden with colorful autumn trees reflected in a pond with lily pads. A serene and peaceful atmosphere amid lush greenery. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Lush garden scene with vibrant green and yellow trees by a pond. People in the background enjoy the tranquil setting. Overcast sky above. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Serene garden with lush green, yellow, and red foliage surrounding a tranquil pond. People are viewing the scenery under a cloudy sky. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Since the Seattle Japanese Garden in autumn is not exactly off the tourist map, you will very likely spend your time wandering the gardens with others. To avoid the big crowds, try to visit on weekdays when there is less chance of the space being overrun by fellow leaf peepers.

People walking on a path beside a tranquil pond in a garden with vibrant yellow and green trees under a clear blue sky. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Serene garden with a pond reflecting colorful autumn trees, a small wooden bridge, and a lush green landscape under a cloudy sky. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Red autumn leaves on tree branches against a clear blue sky, conveying a vibrant and serene autumn atmosphere. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Serene Japanese garden with pond reflecting trees, a stone lantern, and people on a bridge. Vibrant foliage under a clear blue sky. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Path through a vibrant autumn forest with red, orange, and green leaves. Lush foliage and a serene atmosphere. No text visible. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Serene garden scene with a small stream, rocks, and lush greenery. Overhanging trees with green and orange leaves add a peaceful mood. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Bright orange maple leaves in the foreground, lush green foliage in the background, creating a vibrant, serene autumn scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Vibrant red and orange autumn leaves on branches against a mossy tree trunk and green foliage background, evoking a serene, natural mood. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Bright yellow ginkgo tree stands against a dark green forest background, showcasing vibrant autumn foliage. No text or people present. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Lush garden with vibrant autumn trees, a couple walking on a path by a pond, and a stroller. Serene and colorful setting. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Colorful autumn trees with vibrant red, orange, and green leaves fill a forest landscape. Tranquil mood, no text or people visible. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Vibrant autumn trees with green, orange, and red leaves in a lush garden setting, creating a colorful and serene landscape scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Vibrant autumn leaves in shades of orange, red, and yellow cover tree branches. The scene conveys a warm, serene fall ambiance. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Vibrant autumn foliage with green, orange, and red leaves in a forest setting, creating a serene and colorful atmosphere. Seattle Japanese Garden.

And the garden in autumn is not only great for admiring all of the colorful leaves, but also mushroom gazing as well, another PNW favorite pastime.

Two red-capped mushrooms with white spots grow on mossy ground, surrounded by scattered pine needles and leaves in a forest setting. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Brown mushrooms with white spots grow on a vibrant green mossy forest floor. Background blurred, conveying a serene natural setting. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Sunlit autumn trees with yellow leaves overhang a tranquil stream with mossy rocks and greenery, creating a serene woodland scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Sunlit Japanese garden with vibrant autumn leaves, a winding stone path, and lush greenery. Peaceful and colorful scene. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Autumn scene in a garden with yellow and red maple leaves scattered on mossy ground. Sunlight filters through vibrant foliage, creating a tranquil mood. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Yellow and red leaves on a vibrant green moss background. Sunlit branches create a warm, serene autumn scene in a lush garden. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Autumn garden with vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves. Stone path winds through lush greenery. Sunlight highlights the colors. Seattle Japanese Garden.

Should you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest in the fall months, do yourself a favor and visit this stunning landmark. Your eyes will thank you.

Seattle Japanese Garden Context

The Seattle Japanese Garden is located within the Washington Park Arboretum, park of the University of Washington. There is a parking lot located next to the garden, though it will fill up on weekends. Various lots can be found around the arboretum. Note that during the peak fall colors, lots of other people will be joining you in the garden. I have found the quietest times to visit are on weekday mornings.

There have been variations in year in terms of the peak viewing times, but very late October into the first week of November have been the best leaf peeping times.

Entrance fees as of autumn 2025 are $10 for adults, and for others, such as seniors, youths from 6-17 and military veterans is $6. Children 0-5 and adaptive caregivers are free. To learn more about opening hours and ticket prices, visit the Seattle Japanese Garden website.

Days of visits: October 26, 2022; November 5, 2022; October 7, 2023; October 27, 2023

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All the Autumn Vibes at the Seattle Japanese Garden

Seattle Japanese Garden Context

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