Portland Japanese Garden is a roughly 12.5-acre garden on a hillside in Washington Park, established in 1963 following a sister-city friendship agreement between Portland and Sapporo, Japan, and opened to the public in 1967. Designed by Professor Takuma Tono of Tokyo Agricultural University, it comprises five traditional garden styles — Flat Garden, Natural Garden, Sand and Stone Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, and Tea Garden — and in 1988 Japan's ambassador to the U.S. called it 'the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.' As of July 2026, the Garden still operates on a year-round timed-ticket system and welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually. It sits right beside the International Rose Test Garden, making the two easy to combine in one trip, and its mossy stone paths and lush greenery make it a rewarding summer visit as well.
The roughly 35-foot waterfall and moon bridge in the Strolling Pond Garden
'The Tree,' the celebrated Japanese maple made famous in National Geographic photography
Kashintei, the traditional tea house built in Japan and reassembled on-site
The minimalist raked gravel and stones of the Sand and Stone Garden
The Cultural Village's art galleries and Umami Cafe
Good to know
SafetyPaths climb and descend the hillside over mossy stone steps that become slick in rain, so wear closed-toe, waterproof, non-slip shoes.
SeasonPortland sees frequent rain from fall through spring, so a rain jacket works better than an umbrella on the Garden's narrow paths. Cherry blossom season (March–April) and fall maple color (October–November) bring the heaviest crowds, so book well ahead.
RulesShortened Tuesday hours (noon–5:30 pm) apply only from late March through early September, and the Garden may be closed other Tuesdays. Fees and hours can change, so always check the official website for the latest information before you go.
RulesThe Garden uses timed-entry tickets year-round, so booking online several days ahead is much safer than relying on walk-up admission.
MannersDo not touch or feed the koi in the ponds — human contact can damage the protective slime coating on their scales and spread disease.
MannersNon-members are charged a per-person fee to use a tripod, and portrait-style shoots (weddings, graduations, headshots) are not permitted for casual visitors.
CautionPaid parking around Washington Park is metered by the hour and quite limited. Avoid unofficial 'parking assistance' offers or third-party sellers reselling marked-up tickets — book only through the official japanesegarden.org site.
Practical info
From Portland International Airport (PDX) it's roughly a 20–30 minute drive or rideshare, or you can take the MAX Light Rail Red or Blue Line to the Washington Park station and connect via the free Explore Washington Park shuttle or a short walk to the Garden entrance. Admission is tiered by age with online timed tickets recommended, so confirm the latest prices and hours on the official website before visiting.
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