Portland Japanese Garden, proclaimed as the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, encompasses 12.5 acres in its host city’s Washington Park. More than “just” a garden, we are a destination that has something for everybody whether they want to learn more about a foreign culture or immerse themselves in nature.
While there is no one “correct” way to enjoy the Garden, we wanted to share things to look out for to make the most out of your visit like how to walk through our historic garden spaces, programming you can expect to see, and opportunities for some dining and shopping!
Experience the Garden
Portland Japanese Garden is a unique experience in that rather than presenting one garden style, its historic spaces instead each demonstrate different approaches taken throughout the history of Japanese landscape design. A great way to learn more about their rich details and history is by signing up for a tour by our incredible volunteers, many of whom have been visiting the Garden for decades. If you’re not in the mood for a tour, simply enjoying immersion in nature is a fantastic way to get something out of your visit.
Plan Your VisitLearn About the Culture of Japan
In addition to our paid workshops and lectures, Portland Japanese Garden offers demonstrations and performances that are included with your daily admission! We are honored to have the incredible support of local artists and experts in Japanese culture who share their talents with our guests. Make sure you check out our events page to see what will be showing in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner of our Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.
View our Events
View An Art Exhibition
As a work of art in its own right, Portland Japanese Garden is also a natural vehicle through which to explore Japanese art and design. The Garden has successfully introduced the work of more than 75 artists representing Japan and its unique artistic traditions. Our Pavilion Gallery, located in the Flat Garden, and Calvin and Mahyo Tanabe gallery, located in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center, feature a changing series of exhibitions throughout the year. We also feature the horticultural art of bonsai in our warmer months on the Ellie M. Hill Bonsai Terrace and Jubitz Oregon Terrace.
Explore Art ExhibitionsEnjoy Tea and Light Bites at the Umami Café
The Umami Café, located in the Cultural Village, provides a place for you to relax and refresh while at the Garden. With a design reminiscent of Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera temple, the Café floats over the hillside and provides views of the area’s natural beauty. Formerly reservation-only, guests can now enjoy counter service to enjoy tea from the acclaimed Jugetsudo Tea Company and a rotating selection of handcrafted sweets prepared by our culinary partners in Portland! Want to stroll and sip your tea? You can order it to go!
Visit the Umami Café
Bring Home a Memory from the Garden
Looking to continue your exploration of Japanese garden arts and culture at home? The Garden Gift Shop, located in the Cultural Village, offers a unique mix of hand-selected items from Japan, including several items available nowhere else in the United States. Browse our meaningful and unique merchandise and take a piece of Portland Japanese Garden home. Make sure you keep an eye out in the warmer months for our annual summer marketplace, Behind the Shoji. Every year it takes over the Pavilion Gallery to offer even more incredible goods and wares.
Visit the Gift ShopThings for Kids to Do
In addition to everything we’ve already shared here, Portland Japanese Garden is continually looking into ways to make a visit something all ages can enjoy! Parents are encouraged to ask for a Children’s Discovery Map at our Mayho and Calvin Tanabe Welcome Center or Concierge office in the Cultural Village so they can participate in a scavenger-style search throughout the Garden. We’ve recently opened our Family Studio on weekends which is a welcoming space where families can relax, choose an activity, and enjoy hands-on crafts like coloring, origami, and more, with offerings that change weekly.
Plan Your Visit
Enjoy the Perks of Membership
As a member of Portland Japanese Garden, you help support our mission of Inspiring Harmony and Peace and get to receive many benefits including unlimited free admission every day the Garden is open, special access to its festivals, seminars, and workshops, as well as exclusive discounts. We invite folks to check out our Membership Center in the heart of the Garden to learn more and ask questions. Members also can enjoy time to read and study in our Vollum Library, a calm space that currently holds over 3,000 publications relating to Japanese gardens and Japanese arts and culture.
Become a MemberSee What a Day Looks Like at the Garden
Other Information
Getting Here and Parking
Portland Japanese Garden is located in the hills of Portland, Oregon’s iconic Washington Park, directly above the International Rose Test Garden at 611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205. Parking is public and metered. The most convenient way to pay for parking is through Parking Kitty, the City-owned mobile pay app. We highly recommend taking public transportation as parking can fill up quickly, especially during summer. We have more information on our Getting Here & Parking page.
Entering the Garden
All guests to Portland Japanese Garden are asked to enter through the Calvin and Mayho Tanabe Welcome Center on SW Kingston Avenue, across the street from Washington Park’s tennis courts. Guests who purchase their tickets online can skip the line and head directly to the podium! Garden members are also welcome to skip the line if they remember their card or head directly to the membership window if they left it at home. Visitors can either walk up through our Entry Garden or ride on our free Garden shuttle, which can take you up and down the hill upon request, and is available for ADA use.
Tours & Groups
Tours are available with general admission or membership and are led by our passionate, trained volunteer guides. Whether it’s your first or twentieth visit, tours are a wonderful way to better understand and appreciate our garden spaces. Learn how to book tours and arrange group sales by visiting our Tours & Groups page.
Accessibility
Portland Japanese Garden welcomes visitors of all abilities, including those assisted by a service animal. While it is our goal to serve all guests equally, we understand some of our pathways don’t allow the opportunity for everyone to experience the Garden to the fullest. We have more information on our Accessibility & Strollers page.