Pacific Bonsai Museum

While visiting gardens in Tacoma, I had the opportunity to visit the Pacific Bonsai Museum. The museum has over 150 bonsai, with 60 that rotate in and out of display on a regular basis depending on the season. I found the collection to be very stunning. The outdoor environment of the museum also contributed to the appreciation of seeing the bonsai. Located on the old Weyerhaeuser campus, you will need your own transport to get to this museum.

Website: http://pacificbonsaimuseum.org

Yashiro

Drove down to Olympia to see the Yashiro Japanese Garden. The garden was a joint effort of the Olympia-Ayshiro Sister City Association and the City of Olympia. It took two years to construct and opened in 1990. 

There are may Japanese garden features throughout, including a variety of lanterns and a pagoda. The pond and waterfall was a nice feature. Style wise, it was a sort of stroll garden, but with different routes, including an impressive bamboo pathway. The gates at both entry ways were impressive and similar in style to gates I had seen elsewhere in the Northwest.

The garden was very well maintained and at mid-day I surprisingly had it all to myself. It was well worth the trip from Seattle to Olympia (I had to rent a car).

Website: http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/yashiro-japanese-garden

Babe/Herman Friendship Garden

Awoke early this morning so I could explore The Babe and Herman Lehrer Friendship Garden at the Tacoma Community College.

The garden includes a dry water fall feature that feeds into a waterless series of step downs to a white sand and gravel "beach." The garden also has a series of stone bridges and an island, as well as several stone lanterns and pagodas.

I was there very early in the morning, so the photos are a bit heavy on shade. From what I could see, afternoon sun might offer better lighting and a different experience. 

Website: https://www.tacomacc.edu/abouttcc/ourcampuses/japanesefriendshipgarden/