(Photo by Aurora Santiago)

A Shinto blessing is a formal ceremony that's been conducted in Japan since ancient times. Over the many years, the Seattle Japanese Garden has opened its gates with First Viewing, a traditional Shinto ceremony to bless the garden before welcoming back our visitors each spring.

This year’s ceremony will be conducted from Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls, WA, and will be available for a live-viewing via Zoom.

Join us in ushering in a successful new year by celebrating and giving gratitude to the Divine Nature that surrounds us and the Seattle Japanese Garden.