The story of the Portland Japanese Garden is about people and the connections formed between them. In 1959, citizens from Portland and Sapporo, Japan, came together to rebuild ties between their nations after World War II, leading to a profound transformation in the Portland community and a lasting connection with Japan. In 2023, the Garden’s significance in Japan is evident through its International Advisory Board, visits from high-ranking Japanese officials, and a recent 60th-anniversary gala in Tokyo.