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Seattle, Washington / History

Panama Hotel and Tea House

A National Historic Landmark established in 1910, this unique bed-and-breakfast and tea house preserves the heritage of Seattle's former Japantown, featuring the last remaining intact Japanese public bathhouse in the United States.

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What is the Panama Hotel and Tea House known for?

It is a National Historic Landmark and a bed-and-breakfast that serves as a landmark for Japanese American heritage in the Pacific Northwest. It is also known for its Asian Tea and Coffee House, which was named 'Best Teahouse In Seattle 2002' by Seattle Magazine.

What are the hours for the tea house?

The Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee is open every day from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

What can I eat and drink at the tea house?

The tea room offers a wide selection of international teas, pastries, cocktails, and coffee from a local roaster called Mio Coffee.

What is the history of the building?

Established in 1910, the hotel was built by Sabro Ozasa, the first Japanese American architect in Seattle, as a single-room-occupancy hotel for single Japanese men working in America.

Does the hotel have any unique features?

Yes, the property contains the last remaining intact Japanese-style public bathhouse (sento) in the United States. Additionally, the hotel rooms are decorated with original pre-World War II furniture.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Established in 1910, the Panama Hotel is a cornerstone of Japanese American heritage in the Pacific Northwest. It was designed by Sabro Ozasa, the first Japanese American architect in Seattle, as a single-room-occupancy hotel intended for single Japanese men seeking work in America. Today, the property operates as a historic bed-and-breakfast where guests stay in original rooms furnished with pre-World War II furniture. The building is a National Historic Landmark, designated in 2006, and serves as a living museum of the former Nihonmachi, or Japantown, which was located in the heart of Seattle's Chinatown-International District. One of its most significant features is the sento, the last remaining intact Japanese-style public bathhouse in the United States, which provided a vital cultural practice and space for relaxation for Japanese immigrants and their families before World War II. On the street level, the Panama Hotel Tea and Coffee House offers a relaxing cafe experience. Since 2001, it has served international teas, pastries, and Mio Coffee, which is sourced from a local roaster. The tea house was recognized by Seattle Magazine as the Best Teahouse in Seattle in 2002 and has been carefully restored to maintain the original feel of the 1910 structure.

Visitor tips

  • The tea room is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
  • Visit the tea house on the street level for easy access to the hotel's history.
  • Allow time to explore the tea room and learn about the sento bathhouse.

Nearby context

Located in the Chinatown-International District, the Panama Hotel sits on South Main Street, where the neighborhood's former Japantown (Nihonmachi) once flourished before World War II.

Sources

Evidence and links