Note: This letter first appeared in the summer 2025 issue of The Garden Path, the quarterly member magazine of Portland Japanese Garden. Members of the Garden are mailed copies. Information on how to become a member can be found here.

Dear Members,

Summer is here! A season for reconnecting with friends, reuniting with family, or lingering a little longer in the company of someone special. I love how this time of year brings people from near and far to experience our serene oasis in the heart of Portland. I may be biased, but as the temperatures rise, I can’t think of a better place to be than Portland Japanese Garden. Perched above the city, beneath the shady canopy of Douglas firs, and accompanied by the calming sounds of flowing streams, the Garden offers a perfect retreat from the summer heat.

As I walk the grounds, I often speak with guests and the messages I hear most often, whether they are first-time visitors or longtime members, is how beautiful the Garden is and how fortunate we are to have a place like this in Portland.

That appreciation extends far beyond our borders. In May, I traveled to Japan with colleagues Aki Nakanishi, Director of Japan Institute & Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art, and Education, and Hugo Torii, Garden Curator & Director of Japanese Garden Training Center. While there, we met with old friends and new partners across the country, laying the foundation for future collaborations. I was honored to meet with representatives from both the Japanese and U.S. governments, as well as leaders in the arts, culture, and garden communities. Regardless of our backgrounds, the topic du jour was a deep belief in the importance of garden diplomacy–finding common ground through art, beauty, and nature, something that feels more vital today than ever.

At the end of our trip, together with Misako Ito, Executive Director of our Japan Office, we hosted the second TEIEN Forum in Tokyo where speakers from a wide range of disciplines explored the global importance of Japanese gardens. A topic frequently discussed was how these gardens around the world are seeking new ways to create a sustainable model of membership with meaningful, engaging programs – and they are looking to Portland Japanese Garden as a model of how to do it. Which is why here at home, we’re excited to offer a rich slate of programs for you this summer. Our popular Behind the Shoji marketplace returns with a beautifully curated selection of Japanese and Japanese-inspired wares. In July, we’ll host a Japanese food festival featuring favorite names from Portland’s food scene. Later in the season, look forward to more ikebana and kintsugi workshops, our Family Studio weekends, and the meaningful observance of O-Bon and Bon-Odori in August.

The Garden is alive with energy and beauty this season. I look forward to seeing you here!

With gratitude,
Lisa Christy
Executive Director

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