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