By Paul Rowley

For The Beachcomber

The Mukai Farm & Garden family home and grounds now boasts a display of sparkling holiday lights generously donated by island community members, and is open for vehicle and walking tours throughout the month of December.

The light show can be found at 18017 Mukai Way, at 107th Ave SW, beginning at sundown each night.

Earlier this year, King County officials designated a portion of 107th Ave SW as “Mukai Way,” in honor of the cultural and agrarian contributions made by the Mukai Family on Vashon Island and beyond. The historic property was first established as a strawberry farm by Issei pioneer B.D. Mukai in 1926.

Now, the site is on the National Register of Historic places with its rare home, Japanese garden, and barreling plant. Open and free to the public, this historic sacred ground on Vashon celebrates the island’s Japanese American and agrarian heritage.

Islanders are invited to celebrate the start of the New Year with a mochi-making party from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 1. Guests will make Kagami mochi — a Japanese dessert made of sweet glutinous rice flour, topped with a mandarin orange. Everyone will be able to take their hand-made delicacies home with them.

A $5 donation is suggested, and masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test are required for all indoor activities at the farm. For more information on all the events and activities of the farm, visit mukaifarmandgarden.org.