If you haven’t been, you have to go see the Portland Japanese Garden!
I know this doesn’t have anything to do with gluten or eating, but Sienna and I talked about it and agreed that every once in a while we can bend the rules and write about something really fantastic that just has to do with Portland. Last Saturday we visited the Portland Japanese Garden. Since we moved to Oregon, I’ve had a lot of people tell me that I should go see the Portland Japanese Garden. I’ve been reluctant because there’s a Japanese garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, and although it’s OK, it’s really not what you would call a magical place (at least the times I went it wasn’t).
I should mention here that I happen to be a huge fan of the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Portland. Also, during my one visit to Japan, I toured the famous Budhist Temple in Narita, which also has a fabulous garden. I’m kind of a sucker for gardens.
Now that I’ve been there, I wish that I had gone to the Portland Japanese Garden earlier! It’s really amazing. If you decide to go, make sure you allow at least a couple of hours to get a good experience.
The 5.5-acre garden was designed by Professor Takuma Tono, head of the Landscape Architecture Department of Tokyo Agricultural University. It was begun in 1963 and opened to the public in 1967. They have several kinds of garden there. They have the sort of raked sand garden one normally associates with Japanese gardens. Also, there is a Strolling Pond Garden with a Moon Bridge, a Tea Garden with a traditional tea house, a Zig Zag Bridge (my favorite place), a Natural Garden, and a Sand and Stone Garden. Along the way there are nice spots for quiet contemplation.
The Portland Japanese Garden also has a full event calendar. Among other things, they have Tea Ceremony Demonstrations and various gardening workshops like their Pine Pruning Workshop.
They have a bizarrely restrictive photography policy, so let me make it clear that I’m not a professional photographer and I’m not posting these photos for commercial, advertising, or promotional purposes. I understand the reasoning behind their policies. I just want to encourage everyone to go there.
Pond with Japanese Maple and Koi
Little Secret Spot
Lovely Path
Sand and Stone Garden
Stairway Near the Sand and Stone Garden
We also planned our trip to coincide with the Bonsai Society of Portland show, so we got to see beautiful bonsai in the pavillion.
Flowering Cherry Bonsai
Wow Nice Companion plant
Dwarf Creeping Willow Bonsai
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205
Portland Japanese Garden
(503) 223-1321
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Thanks for the reminder! I haven’t been to the garden yet this year. I just wanted to note that the Japanese garden does offer a photographer membership that allows people to go into the garden during certain extended hours. They partner with Pro Photo Supply for this, and you can show your photographer member card at Pro Photo Supply for a discount on certain things, including lab services. It’s a great membership for photographers who want to be there during early morning or late evening times for that golden light the sun gives when it’s low.
Yeah I read about the photographer membership and it sounds like a great deal for pros. If I was a professional and looking to build a portfolio it would be a great place.
I ended up being reminded of my trip to Japan. The hotel I stayed in had a zany photography policy posted in the lobby. Basically they claimed ownership of all photos taken on the premises.
Gorgeous pictures! I love this place, too, and the Chinese garden is like a hidden little secret in the middle of downtown.
I came across your blog when you did Weekly Geeks once, and it just struck me that I should let you know about this gluten-free cookbook I’m giving away right now–one per week until mid-June at Worducopia. Trying to get the word out to as many gluten-free people as I can think of!
I went to the Japanese Gardens when I visited Portland in March, and thought they were beautiful even then! And the Chinese Gardens were beautiful too. I will be moving to Portland from Minneapolis next year for grad school, and was thrilled to find this blog! I’m really looking forward to living in a more GF-friendly city that has so many awesome resources – thanks for being one of them! Oh, and living in a city that has green plants and trees all year round – that doesn’t happen in Minnesota. Thanks for the great blog!