Friends of Mukai

Mission

We steward, uplift, and celebrate the historic Japanese American Mukai Farm & Garden to inspire and nurture an inclusive community. 

Description

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Mukai Farm & Garden, as well as our historic Fruit Barreling Plant, offer a glimpse into the life of the Mukai Family - Japanese American strawberry farmers on Vashon Island from 1926 to 1942. 

The Mukai house and garden are a prime example of the blending of two cultures. B.D. Mukai's traditional American style house represents the Americanization of Japanese immigrants, while Kuni Mukai's Japanese garden reflects the retention of their Japanese cultural heritage and remains one of the only pre-WWII Japanese gardens designed by a woman in the United States. 

The Mukai Farm & Garden is the only public garden on Vashon Island and is free and open to the public 365 days of the year.

Your donation will help protect, restore and celebrate this historic and vibrant community gathering place that holds the stories of the Mukai Family, island agriculture, Kuni Mukai's garden, the historic Fruit Barreling Plant, and the larger history of the Japanese American community on Vashon Island. 

Recognition

Friends of Mukai is supported by the State of Washington, King County and 4Culture as well as many members of our community.
We have also partnered with:
•The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
•The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
•The Washington State Department of Commerce
•The National Park Service
•The Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association
•The King County Department of Historic Preservation
•King County Parks and Recreation
•Historic Seattle