The Japanese Garden at Central Washington University, dedicated in December 1991 and opened to the public in April 1992, stands as a beautiful testament to international friendship and understanding. Named in honor of the late President Donald Garrity on October 6, 1995, the garden symbolizes the strong ties between the people of Japan and the Central Washington region. Its creation was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Commemorative Association for the Japan World Exposition (1970).
Designed by renowned landscape architect Masayuki Mizuno of Masa and Associates Inc., the garden reflects meticulous planning and collaboration, involving numerous CWU and community members, including Don and Virginia Garrity, Makiko Doi, and Kelly Ainsworth.
Project manager Doug Ryder oversaw the construction, including the hand-crafted entry gate made from Port Orford Cedar by master craftsman Dale Brotherton. The garden features magnificent hand-carved granite lanterns donated by Sanda City, CWU's sister community in Japan, along with flowering cherry trees selected for their beauty and significance.
Unique to this garden, Austrian pine trees were chosen for their adaptability to the local climate. The landscape is enriched with basalt rocks from the Vantage area and granite boulders placed under Mizuno's expert direction, while the Sand and Stone Garden incorporates decomposed granite, a serene water feature, and inviting walking paths that invite reflection and tranquility.