Founded by Issei pioneer B.D. Mukai in 1926 as a strawberry farm, Mukai Farm & Garden today is on the National Register of Historic places with our rare heritage home, Japanese Garden, and Barreling Plant. Open and free to the public, we celebrate Vashon Island’s Japanese American and agrarian heritage. Come visit!
Double the fun on May 4! Haiku Contestant Celebration AND Children’s Day Events
On Sunday, May 4, Mukai Farm & Gardens will be hopping with not one, but two events!
At 1:00pm the winners of the 2025 Haiku Festival will be announced and celebrated. This year, there were more than 150 entries. Many are from Vashon, but we also received entries from Spain, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and many from children around the world.
And if you want to bring a picnic lunch, stick around to celebrate Children’s Day at 2:00. Children’s Day in Japan is a holiday to celebrate children’s happiness, well-being and growth. There will be a craft corner with traditional Japanese crafts, snacks and a special dance performance of “Sakura Mich Dojoji,” performed by Ami Dobbins and choreographed by Sakaya Logsdon.
May Greetings from Mukai Farm & Garden
As spring unfolds, Mukai Farm & Garden is blooming with events that celebrate culture, community, and remembrance. Here’s what’s happening this month:
-
-
May 4 – Double Celebration!-
Haiku Festival Celebration at 1:00 PM – Announcing winners from around the world.
-
Children’s Day Festivities at 2:00 PM – Crafts, snacks, and a special Japanese dance performance.
-
-
May 8 – Movies at Mukai: I Wish-
A heartwarming film at 7:00 PM with Japanese snacks.
-
-
May 18 – Day of Exile Remembrance Event-
11:00 AM at Ober Park – Honoring Vashon’s Japanese American community and unveiling the new Nikkei Memorial Sculpture design.
-
At Vashon Library, following the Day of Exile event, Graphic novelist Kiku Hughes presents The Power of Memory.
-
-
May 25 – Mukai Open House-
1:00–4:00 PM Enjoy docent-led tours of the garden and historic home.
-
-
Restored Barreling Plant Promises a Lively Mix of Local Entrepreneurs and Non-Profits
Friends of Mukai has secured agreements with four new tenants who plan to set up businesses early next year when the Fruit Barreling Plant is fully restored and open. Three of the tenants are food related: Fernhorn Bakery, Fuku Ferments, and a community commercial kitchen operated by the Vashon Island Growers Association— all coming together as part of the emerging Vashon Food Hub. The fourth tenant, Refill Vashon will create sustainable products from plant mixes for home use. There is one remaining space available at this time.
The front portion of the building, adjacent to the entry areas and loading dock, is 1200 sq. ft of shared community space that will be used by the tenants and broader community for events, meetings, classes, workshops, exhibit storyboards on the history of the building, loading dock performance stage support, and more.
Friends of Mukai plan to begin the $3M restoration late this summer, unless federal funding previously granted to us is rescinded. Our goal is to finish in early 2026, just in time for the building’s 100th Anniversary. At long last, we can celebrate the Barreling Plant’s return to its original purpose of food production and preservation!
Check out the tenant space plan showing five separate tenant spaces, including the one remaining available space. It’s an exciting time for Vashon Island! Stay tuned for updates…
Consider Mukai Farm and Garden for your next event!
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the historic home and grounds are a perfect setting for a perfect event. As you plan your 2025 calendar, remember we are ready to accommodate private events at Mukai for groups of all sizes — from small parties, meetings, and larger events such as showers, weddings and celebrations of life.
The ease and convenience of being able to walk in and have everything you need from chairs and tables, plates glasses, and silverware, to tea and coffee service is a real gift. Our rates remain modest at $75 per hour for the house and $150 per hour for the house and garden. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations may receive a 30% discount off posted rental rates.
Seating inside the house can accommodate 40 people. An outside event can accommodate a larger group. During the summer months, we have two large tents (20×40) and you will have access to smaller pop-up tents (10×10) as well.
To request a tour contact us at [email protected] And for further information: https://mukaifarmandgarden.org/rentals
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CONTINUE TO OFFER HISTORIC AND MULTI-CULTURAL ENRICHMENT FREE OF CHARGE TO THE COMMUNITY.
Please support Mukai; make a donation here!
We rely heavily on community financial support that allows us to produce all of these events—for you! Donations are tax deductible.