Portland, Oregon

Japanese Garden

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Considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, Portland’s Japanese Garden has its own personality, reflected in five formal garden styles set on five and one-half acres: the Strolling Pond Garden, the Natural Garden, the Sand and Stone Garden, the Flat Garden and the Tea Garden.

What’s Special?

There are a number of concepts at work in a Japanese garden. There’s the concept of using “borrowed scenery,” such as the remarkable vista across the city of Portland toward the Cascade Mountains and Mount Hood. The concept of “hide and reveal” is subtle and affords the visitor delightful surprises. Plantings, placement of stones, and the route of pathways all give the garden wanderer constantly changing views. The garden is meant to calm and soothe, and instead of gasping in awe, the visitor is encouraged to pause and reflect.

Traditional Japanese gardens emphasize natural, abstract beauty, and you won’t find  the typical signage labeling plants.

Visiting

Summer Public Hours (March 13 – September 30)

Winter Public Hours (October 1 – March 12)

The Garden is located in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, directly above the Rose Gardens in Washington Park.

Street Address
611 SW Kingston Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205

 

New maple leaves are bright green, as the Portland weather turns warm again. Photo Credit: David Cobb