Following World War II, Oregon sought to reestablish social and economic ties with Japan. Catalyzed by the 1959 establishment of a sister-city relationship between Portland and Sapporo, a grassroots effort began to establish even deeper transpacific connections through a Japanese garden. This aspiration was quickly championed by government officials, and it was determined the site of an old, abandoned zoo should become an authentic Japanese landscape. Oregon Governor Mark O. Hatfield and Portland Mayor Terry D. Schrunk co-wrote in a 1965 communique, “Not only will [a Japanese garden] enhance the tourist appeal of [Portland], but it will serve to strengthen the close bonds that already exist between our peoples.”

Governor Hatfield and Mayor Schrunk were correct. The Garden now welcomes over 400,000 guests (including more than 25,000 members) per year from every state within the United States and more than 90 countries. This fervent interest led Portland Japanese Garden to expand from 5.5 to 12.5 acres in 2017 with the construction of its Cultural Village. Intentionally designed to elicit feelings of serenity and tranquility, Portland Japanese Garden has educated millions of guests about a nation that can often feel impenetrable while simultaneously providing a space for inner peace and peace between people.

Portland Japanese Garden and its staff are honored to be recognized by professional awards and accolades from around the world.

• 2023 Oregon Consular Corp Ambassador Award (Steve Bloom, CEO)
• 2023 Travel Award, Best Nature Experiences, Sunset Magazine
• 2022 Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Government of Japan (Diane Durston, Curator Emerita)
• 2022 Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister’s Commendation (Sadafumi Uchiyama, Chief Curator)
• 2022 America-Japan Society Kaneko Kentaro Award (Steve Bloom, CEO)
• 2022 American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Recognition Award (Sadafumi Uchiyama, Chief Curator)
• 2020 American Society of Landscape Architects, Award of Excellence
• 2020 American Public Garden Association, Garden Excellence Award
• 2020 American Public Garden Association, Award of Merit (Sadafumi Uchiyama, Garden Curator)
• 2019 LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold Certification Award
• 2019 WA American Society of Landscape Architects, Award of Excellence (only one given)
• 2018 American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon, Engineering Excellence: Best in Category, Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Systems
• 2018 American Public Garden Association, Program Excellence Award
• 2018 Daily Journal of Commerce, Architect of the Year: Portland Japanese Garden Architecture Team
• 2018 Garden Society of Japan Jury Commendation/Exceptional Achievement (Sadafumi Uchiyama, Portland Japanese Garden Curator)
• 2018 WoodWorks: Beauty of Wood Award
• 2017 American Institute of Architects: Portland Honor Award
• 2017 American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Design: People’s Choice Award
• 2017 American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Design: Honor Award
• 2017 Engineering News Record, Best Projects: Project of the Year Award
• 2017 Engineering News Record, Northwest Best Projects: Best Cultural / Worship
• 2017 Metal Architecture Design, Metal Roofing Award
• 2017 Portland Business Journal, Commercial Real Estate Transformer Award
• 2017 Structural Engineers Association of Excellence in Engineering Award: Jurors’ Favorite
• 2017 Travel Portland, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Award
• 2017 City of Portland “2017 Portland Award” (Steve Bloom, CEO)
• 2015 Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister’s Commendations (Steve Bloom, CEO)