WELCOME!
Nestled within Sequim’s Carrie Blake Park, the Sequim-Shiso Friendship Garden is a living testament to the enduring bond between our sister cities, Sequim, Washington and Shiso, Japan. This garden is a peaceful sanctuary, offering a space for reflection, connection, and community.
The Garden's History
The Sequim Shiso Sister City Association was chartered in 1993, and just a year later, the idea of creating a Friendship Garden was born. In the summer of 1995, the association requested an area from the city to develop the garden. The remainder of 1995 and part of 1996 were spent thoughtfully planning the layout.
By 1996, site preparation and weekly garden work parties were underway. Many of the larger features, like the trellis bridges, were completed in 1997. A beautiful Japanese stone lantern, hand-sculpted in four sections from white stone by a member of the Yamasaki Association, was placed on the island on October 28th, 1998.
The area that would become the Friendship Garden was originally covered in blackberry bushes and cottonwood trees. During the transformation, 16 cherry trees were planted to add beauty and seasonal color. Over 2,000 volunteer hours were dedicated to clearing the land and bringing the garden to life, turning it into the peaceful space it is today.
Since then, Garden Club members have volunteered thousands of hours to maintain and care for the Friendship Garden. The Garden Club partners with the Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club, City of Sequim Public Works, and City of Sequim Parks Maintenance to ensure the garden remains a beautiful and tranquil space for the community to enjoy year after year.
Garden Features
FREE ACTIVITY BOOK
This engaging 60-page activity book is packed with fun activities like coloring garden scenes, matching plants, word searches, crossword puzzles, origami sheets, mazes, and more. It's a playful way for kids to learn about nature, culture, and the spirit of international friendship.
Meet the Volunteers
