Only 10 minutes from Columbia City, the International District/Chinatown is one of Seattle’s most popular destination neighborhoods. People come to eat, to browse, to explore, and to visit Uwajimaya Village. The 66,000 square foot shopping village features a variety of stores, restaurants and services and draws visitors from all around the region. But that’s just the beginning of an authentic International District/Chinatown experience. Come on — let’s spend the day exploring one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods!
Danny Woo Garden in Japantown
Located one block north of Jackson on Main Street, the Danny Woo Garden is one of Seattle’s first community gardens. Situated on a terraced slope, the garden also serves as a community gathering spot, hosting a summer pig roast for the neighborhood each year.
Panama Hotel and Tea House
Across the street from the garden is the Panama Hotel and Tea House. Many community meetings are held in this historic hotel, which was built in 1910. In addition to offering an incredible variety of teas and a fabulous green tea cheesecake, the hotel also houses the only intact Japanese bathhouse remaining in the United States.
Dragon Project
Ten dragons, symbolizing strength, prosperity and protection, survey the International District from their perches on light poles along 5th Avenue, Dearborn Street and Jackson Street. The dragons are hand sculpted and detailed in three color schemes of jade, gold and fire.
International Model Toys
For kids, or kids at heart, International Model Toys offers a fun array of plastic model kits, toys, gifts, model paints, Anime t-shirts, and action figures.
Bush Garden
Open since 1953, Bush Garden is one of Seattle’s oldest Japanese restaurants. But its real draw is the karaoke, beginning each night at 9:30. Here, you’ll find the young, the old, and the middle-aged, belting out tunes.
International Children’s Park
Designed by renowned architect Joey Eng, the park includes a bronze dragon by sculptor Gerard Tsutakawa and a unique yin-yang pattern of sand and grass. While the park is filled with children in the afternoon, you can find older International District residents practicing tai chi in the morning.
Tsue Chong Co.
For over 80 years, this company, located at Eighth Avenue South and South King Street, has made won ton wrappers, sui mei wrappers, pan-fried noodles, rice ribbons, and — as suggested by the distinct aroma in the neighborhood — fortune cookies.
Hing Hay Park
This community park is the site of many community events and features a dragon mural and red pavilion at the corner of South King Street and Maynard Avenue South.
Wing Luke Asian Museum
The Wing Luke Museum is what is known as an “immersion” museum, recreating for visitors what life in the past was like. Currently located at 7th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street, it will be moving to its new location in the East Kong Yick building in 2007 where it will reconstruct the Yick Fung Co., a traditional Chinese grocery.
Gossip Espresso and Tea
Before you head back home to Columbia City, be sure to stop at Gossip Espresso and Tea for a bubble tea — the hottest drink to hit the city in years.
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