Start the new year right with a visit to Portland Japanese Garden. On January 1st we open for members and their guests and will commemorate the holiday with a tranquil and refreshed atmosphere. There will be hot tea served all day, free tours of the Garden, and traditional Japanese New Year’s décor.
Take a stroll around the Garden where you will see traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum–the “three friends of winter”– either affixed to pillars (sho-chiku-bai / 松竹梅) or in plantings at gates (kadomatsu / 門松). These small decorative displays are where the toshigami (Shinto gods of the incoming year) are said to be manifest, bringing good health and prosperity for the year ahead.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tickets are limited. Please reserve your tickets in advance. Last admission is at 1:30pm.