The entrance off SW Tichner Dr. / West Burnside is temporarily closed due to a landslide. Please use SW Vista Ave. to SW Park Place to arrive. We will honor your ticket time slots, understanding there may be delays.
The Story of a Beloved Tree and the Mother Who Gifted it to the Garden By Will Lerner, Communications Manager for Portland Japanese Garden & Japan Institute In Portland Japanese Garden there stands one tree rooted in the significance of both what it means to be Asian in America and the strength of a mother’s …
Learn more about Mona Ozaki, who has given over 2,000 hours as a volunteer for Portland Japanese Garden.
Bizen ceramics are an 800-year-old tradition brought to life in the latest art exhibition from Portland Japanese Garden.
Learn more about Maggie Drake, Trustee Emerita, a remarkable and admired leader for the entirety of Portland Japanese Garden’s existence.
By Will Lerner, Communications Manager for Portland Japanese Garden & Japan Institute On January 18, Living Traditions returned to Portland. A series of conversations and talks that explore the most iconic facets of Japanese culture and traditions, Living Traditions launched in 2020 as a joint project of Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden and Japan …
The following article was originally published in Pacific Horticulture, an education focused non-profit and publication that is “the leading voice of horticulture in our Pacific region for today and future generations, we spread ideas that grow our gardens and landscapes to achieve climate resilience, steward biodiversity, and connect people with nature.”
On January 19, 2025, history was made at Portland Japanese Garden when Oregon State Representative Mari Watanabe was sworn in by Justice Aruna Masih of the Oregon Supreme Court to fill a vacant seat for House District 34. Watanabe, who has served on the Garden’s Board of Trustees since May 2024, is the granddaughter of Japanese immigrants and has been a Portland resident since 2000.
Saka’s Pond is a beautiful space with flowers that radiate pink in springtime, a pleasant waterfall, and dynamic stonework laid by Sakakibara. Below it is an area that has been sometimes referred to as “Saka’s Reservoir,” a continuation of the pond that was designed and constructed by former Garden Directors Takao Donuma (1985-87) and Toru Tanaka (1988-91). Unfortunately, because it was built on the edge of a slope, issues arose. Due to its placement, its foundation had been undermined and was subsequently seeing a loss of water. The leaks, in turn, were further undermining the foundation and causing the slope to erode even more. Altogether, the eroding slope, faulty foundation, and loss of water meant repairs were in order.
Here we discuss the challenges that arise when translating Japanese words into English.