Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is one of the most beautiful attractions in the United States. Nestled in the Portland, Oregon's iconic Washington Park, the garden is a tranquil oasis sprawled over 12 acres. The park was designed in 1963 with several garden styles, streams, walkways, a Japanese Tea House, and a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood.
The tea garden was born with the hope that all people can achieve lasting peace. It is all-inclusive and grounded in the idea of anti-racism, inner peace, and cultural understanding.
The history of the garden can be traced back to the late 1950s when Portland Mayor Terry Schrunk and members of the Portland community recognized the cultural ties between the state and Japan. Through the inspiration, the idea of the garden was conceived and erected at the site of the old Washington Park Zoo. The two-fold reason for creating the park: Providing local citizens a beautiful and serene garden, while attempting to heal and connect the people of Japan after the events of WWII.
Several such Japanese gardens were being built across the country as a way to bridge a the cultural understanding gap. The site broke ground in 1961, and Tokyo Agricultural University Professor Takuma Tono was retained to head the design process. Professor Tono took a different approach with the initial design. Instead of the usual singular style, he opted for five different garden layouts. The goal was to represent multiple historical developments to create a cultural exchange.
The garden was formally opened to the public in the summer of 1967. The garden was visited by more than 28,000 people before it was closed for the winter months. In 1968, a duplicate house, the Kashintei Tea House was built in Japan. In 1980, the garden officially began to stay open year round. The garden has been visited by many Japanese dignitaries over the years who proclaim it as the most authentic they've ever seen.
When you visit the garden, you will immediately immerse yourself within the Japanese culture. You can view multiple expositions, go on a guided tour of the grounds, and even enjoy tea at the Umami Cafe. The Garden Gift Shop is where you can take a little bit of the garden home with you. You will find several unique and hand-selected souvenirs and merchandise that you cannot find anywhere else in the U.S.
The following is a list of some of the events offered at the Portland Japanese Garden. You can check the calendar to find out the times and dates:
- Materpieces In Miniature: The Art of Netsuke Sculptures
- Winter Textile Workshop Series with Judilee Fitzhugh
- Cultural Performance: Oregon Kot-Kai
- Winter Ikebana Workshop Seriew with Carolyn Alter, Ohara School
- Cultural Demonstration: Bonsai Presentation by Andrew Robson
- Cultural Demonstration: Tea Ceremony
If you would like to know more about the Portland Japanese Garden, reach out to the website at japanesegarden.org. You can get information about hours and admission, group touring, visitor FAQs, garden map, parking, and what to expect.
For the outdoor lovers, Portland has other gardens to visit too!