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Japanese Pagoda

Tidal Basin, Washington DC

DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 12, 2018

Photo by David Coleman

Monuments & Landmarks
Tidal Basin, Washington DC, West Potomac Park

The Japanese Pagoda is one of the smallest monuments in Washington DC, and it’s very easy to miss. It’s nestled in amongst the trees on the western bank of the Tidal Basin, immediately adjacent to the southern entrance of the FDR Memorial.

It can be especially hard to find if you’re looking for something, well, grander. Pagoda is one of those words that are applied in English (though often not in their native languages) to anything from a small person-sized pillar to a massive complex of buildings in a temple. This one is definitely on the small end of the scale. It’s a nine-tiered structure about 10-11 feet high.

At first, it might seem a somewhat random place to put a Japanese Pagoda. But if you visit at the right time in the spring you’ll see why it’s there. It’s right in the middle of the thousands of cherry blossoms that were, themselves, originally gifts from Japan.

It might look relatively plain, but like the Japanese Lantern, not far away, it’s actually very old, dating back to around 1600. It’s made of 3,800 pounds of granite.

It was given to Washington DC by the mayor of Yokohama in 1957, but when it arrived it in five crates, it didn’t include any instructions on how to reassemble it. Area experts from the Library of Congress and elsewhere were eventually able to assemble it.1

It was given in the spirit of friendship to commemorate of a peace treaty in Yokohama (also known as the Convention of Kanagawa) on March 31, 1854, which U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry forced Japan to sign under the threat of naval attack.

The structure is composed of five distinct symbols, from bottom to top: earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. There are some weathered and worn carvings on the tower’s base. The main plaque on the base reads:

May this pagoda symbolize the spirit of friendship between the United States of America and Japan manifested in the treaty of peace, amity and commerce signed at Yokohama oj March 31, 1854, by the plenipotentiaries of the two countries.

Another plaque on the opposite side reads:

Presented to the City of Washington from Ryozo Hiranuma, Mayor of Yokohama, 1957.

Photos of the Japanese Pagoda

DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 11, 2018Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017Japanese Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DCJapanese Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DCWashington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 9, 2016 - Japanese PagodaWashington DC Cherry Blossoms 2017 - March 29Dedication Plaque of the Japanase Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DCWashington DC Cherry Blossoms 2017 - March 28Japanase Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DCJapanese Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DCJapanese Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DCWashington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 9, 2017Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 24, 2016Japanese Pagoda at the Tidal Basin in Washington DC

How to Get to the Japanese Pagoda

It’s on the western bank of the Tidal Basin at one end of the FDR Memorial.

Taking Photos at the Japanese Pagoda

In general, there’s no problem taking photos here within the bounds of common sense. But please don’t climb the nearby trees or put gear on them–many of these cherry trees are very old and fragile.


  1. James M. Goode, Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation’s Capital (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008) p. 497. ↩

Nearby & Related:

  • DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 11, 2018
    Japanese Lantern at the Tidal Basin
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
  • Lafayette Park and the White House in Snow
    A Washington Winter Wonderland
  • MLK Memorial
    Martin Luther King Jr National Memorial
  • Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC
    The Jefferson Memorial
  • Tiny Planet Photos of Washington DC
    Tiny Planet Photos of Washington DC

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • Fodor’s Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
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Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Planet, Lonely (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.


Location: Tidal Basin
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.882936
      Longitude: -77.041452

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Tidal Basin
      # Washington DC
      # West Potomac Park



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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