Japanese Gardens are taking cities by storm, and Portland has one of its own. It was founded in the late 1960s on land that used to be the home of a zoo. The gardens provide a beautiful, calm, and exciting place to let yourself be. Explore the Cultural Village for the learning arts center and the Umami Café, The Entry Garden, The Historic Gardens, and more. Each section has lovely areas for the family to enjoy, learn, and experience the sites. If that doesn’t convince you that you need to see this place yourself, here are our top reasons!

The Tea Garden 

The Tea Garden is a place to experience the beauty of nature truly. You’ll find a rustic garden leading to a tea house through the stepping stones. Tea gardens were designed historically for peace and a space to escape everyday life. Of course, this is also where you can hold a tea ceremony, which is intricate and beautiful to watch. The area has inner and outer gardens. They are connected by a pathway that leads to the Kashintei Tea House.

The tea house structure was made in Japan and shipped in pieces here. However, it also has unusual elements, including papered and sliding doors. It makes it more useful for demonstrations. That is another highly sought-after part of the Japanese Garden. The beautiful and intricate demonstrations display a great tradition of Japan. 

The Vollum Library

If you love reading, this is where you need to be, but there’s a catch. To use the library, you’d have to be a garden member. However, visitors can access this once they’ve paid the garden admission. I would highly recommend stopping here. There are over 3,000 publications in this library, and they all relate to Japanese gardens, art, and culture. They ask that you not remove books from the premises or use the library as a workspace. Instead, enjoy the center and use it for its intended purpose: to learn about Japan.

The Umami Café 

Well-known and loved, you can relax and get energized here. The tea is fantastic, and the service is always attentive. Not to mention that the food is delectable. The tea sets feature classic teas paired with confections. The best part? The confections are local. Some selections include Sencha and Castella Cake. If you’re looking for something savory or hearty, try the Miso soup or the Ochazuke. They all taste unique and are a terrific way to enjoy some popular options. 

I’d also recommend the Matcha and Hojicha brownies from the ala carte menu. The taste is incredible, and you’ll be thankful you did. If you’re still thirsty after the tea, check out the Kimino sparkling sodas. They are so refreshing!

The Bonsai Terrace 

Bonsai is a creation of a landscape that is miniaturized, and it’s believed to be able to fulfill our yearnings for a real connection to nature. The Portland Japanese Garden has partnered with local practitioners from around the region and the city. Because the area gets rotated often, you can always see new things. If you want to see more bonsai than what’s on the terrace, go to the second floor of the learning center, and you’ll see an entire section. 

This serene area lets you explore and see creativity, ingenuity, and beautiful aspects of nature. It’s a must-see. Please be sure not to touch the bonsai; instead, have fun walking around and enjoying the stunning architecture. 

Zagunis Castle Wall 

Zagunis Castle Wall is one of the expansions that was made, and it’s highly recognizable. It’s a massive stone wall at the west end of the Village. It’s authentic and is a medieval-styled wall that will rise to greet you when you enter. Not to mention that you can feel like you’re stepping back in time. It’s a fantastic way to experience the beauty of Japanese design. It was built using traditional hand tools and techniques, which makes it more special to hold. It’s also original because none like it have been built outside Japan.

Experiencing Culture and Art 

The Portland Japanese Garden is a fantastic place to experience nature, culture, art, and wonder. You’ll find that you’ll see tradition, see all the outstanding bonsai, and feel the peace of each area can’t be beaten. It’s also fantastic for families and making memories with your little ones. Not only are they seeing remarkable sites, but it can also be a learning experience for them.