Portland Japanese Garden--Now Even Better!

The absolutely stunning Portland Japanese Garden is the largest and most authentic Japanese botanical garden outside of Japan. Located within Washington Park in the West Hills of Portland, just west of downtown, it is an easy urban hike up the hill from the city.

Now is a great time to visit! The garden recently completed the ambitious Cultural Crossing expansion project, complete with a Cultural Village designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. It provides a place where visitors can immerse themselves in traditional Japanese arts through seasonal activities, performances, and demonstrations in the Tateuchi Courtyard.

Three of the essential elements used to create the garden are stone, the "bones" of the landscape; water, the life-giving force; and plants, the tapestry of the four seasons. Japanese garden designers feel that good stone composition is one of the most important elements in creating a well-designed garden. Secondary elements you will see include pagodas, stone lanterns, water basins, arbors, and bridges.

The Garden is located in the west hills of Portland, directly above the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. You can walk up a beautiful path to access the garden, or the Garden Shuttle which runs every 15 minutes during regular hours.

Summer hours (Mar. 13 - Sept. 30): 10am - 7pm Tues.-Sun., 12 - 7pm on Mondays

Year-round, the Garden is served by TriMet bus #63 which connects to the MAX stations at the Oregon Zoo and Providence Park.

For those who don’t mind a walk, the frequent-service buses #15-NW 23rd and #20-Burnside both stop at NW 23rd & Burnside, which is about 1 mile away uphill through Washington Park.

Discounted admission prices:

$12.95 Senior (65+)

$11.95 College Student (w/ID)

$10.45 Youth (6-17)

Children 5 and under are free

EXPLORE WASHINGTON PARK FREE SHUTTLE

During the summer months, the Explore Washington Park Free Shuttle links the Portland Japanese Garden to the Washington Park MAX station, as well as the other park attractions.

Frequency: Every 15 minutes

Schedule: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Weekends: April, October

Daily: May-September

Shuttle Route and Stops

Washington Park MAX Station

Vietnam Memorial

Hoyt Arboretum

Portland Japanese Garden / International Rose Test Garden

Elephant House / Playground

Sacajawea Statute

Holocaust Memorial

Portland Japanese Garden / International Rose Test Garden

Archery Range

Vietnam Memorial

Add to the Discussion (2)

Rick

8 years ago

Love the Portland Japanese Garden!

Merlin

8 years ago

What exquisite images! One of my favorite places in Portland.

You must Log In to send a new comment.
Region(s):
Central Oregon
Eastern Oregon
Greater Portland
The Gorge + Mt. Hood
Oregon Coast
Southern Oregon
Willamette Valley