What to Look Forward to as 2026 Wraps Up
The end of Portland Japanese Garden’s vibrant peak fall colors always presents a bittersweet moment, knowing that it will be nearly a year before we can see them again. However, it is anything but an ending to the joy of visiting us in 2026. The Garden will see the return of its beautiful winter decorations, will host programming tied to the holiday season, and much more. Read below and start planning your visit now!
Traditional Japanese Gift Wrapping
Beginning at the end of November, the Garden will offer the rare opportunity to have items purchased in the Gift Shop beautifully wrapped in cloth using the Japanese custom of furoshiki. Traditionally, when presenting a gift wrapped in furoshiki, givers would take the cloth back home with them. Today, furoshiki may also be given as part of the gift itself, valued both for their beauty and as environmentally friendly, reusable alternatives to disposable paper wrap. Recipients can then reuse the cloth for wrapping and carrying items or presenting a future gift.
This will take place Friday through Sunday over three weekends:
Winter Decorations Return
Beginning at the end of November, our gardeners will begin to install our beloved and beautiful winter decorations in and around the Flat Garden. Yukizuri (雪吊り) are aesthetically pleasing support systems that protect and prepare trees for winter—yuki means “snow” and zuri or tsuri means “lifting.” In this we understand precisely how they help protect trees: Straw ropes are cast down from a central pole, almost like the frame of an umbrella. The ropes are then tied to branches to help lift them up with the thought being they’ll better withstand the weight of heavy snowfall or frost. They are the most prominent additions to our winter scenery, but they are not alone.
Museum Store Sunday
Beginning on Friday, November 27 and rolling through Sunday, November 29, visit the Garden Gift Shop as it participates in Museum Store Sunday! Shoppers will receive a 10% discount. Members of Portland Japanese Garden will receive an additional 10% on top of their member discount.
Don’t forget to consider buying a gift membership to Portland Japanese Garden as you do your holiday shopping! A gift of membership to the Garden allows you to share this place of tranquility and cultural immersion with others.
Themed Storytimes in the Family Studio
In both November and December, the Garden will be hosting Storytimes in the Family Studio that are thematically tied to the season! Perfect for families and young readers, these events feature a selection of stories especially chosen for children aged 3 to 8, but all ages are welcome to enjoy the fun.
All This and More
Don’t forget there are many other reasons to visit us in the coming weeks, including our usual offering of demonstrations and performances by our expert cultural partners, tours led by our excellent volunteers, and our stunning art exhibition, Weaving Time: NUNO – Textiles of Tradition and Transformation. And of course, there’s always the Garden itself, which is always ready to receive you and share its beauty.