2020 Foreign Minister's Commendation Recipient

By Jessa Gardner

Photo courtesy of Aurora Santiago

The Seattle Japanese Garden is proud to announce that we have received the 2020 Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This commendation is awarded “to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.”

A Japanese garden is a place for peaceful reflection. For 60 years now, the Seattle Japanese Garden has stood as a reflection of the deep and meaningful friendship that our city has with Japan. A simple walk through the Garden reveals the beauty that can be created when people from different cultures seek to understand one another.

For many years, we have enhanced the Garden experience through exciting cultural festivals and educational events. In 2017, we debuted our First Thursday and Family Saturday programs, which seek to foster international understanding by offering an experiential view of Japanese arts and culture. Since then, we have made amazing connections and friendships with local artists and organizations that share our mission of peace and understanding.

We are so proud to be a part of the Japanese-American community in Seattle. We hope that everyone in our community, both local and international, can visit the Garden and walk away with a feeling of love for the world.

Please visit the Seattle Japanese Garden and celebrate this award with us in 2021, when we reopen following winter maintenance.