{"id":7943,"date":"2018-02-08T16:28:01","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T00:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japanesegarden.org\/?page_id=7943"},"modified":"2025-09-10T13:36:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T20:36:11","slug":"a-day-at-the-garden","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/japanesegarden.org\/a-day-at-the-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"A Day at the Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Portland Japanese Garden, proclaimed as the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, encompasses 12.5 acres in its host city\u2019s Washington Park. More than \u201cjust\u201d a garden, we are a destination that has something for everybody whether they want to learn more about a foreign culture or immerse themselves in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is no one \u201ccorrect\u201d way to enjoy the Garden, we wanted to share things to look out for to make the most out of your visit like how to walk through our historic garden spaces, programming you can expect to see, and opportunities for some dining and shopping!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Experience the Garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portland Japanese Garden is a unique experience in that rather than presenting one garden style, its historic spaces instead each demonstrate different approaches taken throughout the history of Japanese landscape design. A great way to learn more about their rich details and history is by signing up for a tour by our incredible volunteers<\/a>, many of whom have been visiting the Garden for decades. If you\u2019re not in the mood for a tour, simply enjoying immersion in nature is a fantastic way to get something out of your visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPlan Your Visit<\/a>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Learn About the Culture of Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to our paid workshops and lectures, Portland Japanese Garden offers demonstrations and performances that are included with your daily admission! We are honored to have the incredible support of local artists and experts in Japanese culture who share their talents with our guests. Make sure you check out our events page to see what will be showing in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner of our Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nView our Events<\/a>\n\n<\/div>

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View An Art Exhibition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a work of art in its own right, Portland Japanese Garden is also a natural vehicle through which to explore Japanese art and design. The Garden has successfully introduced the work of more than 75 artists representing Japan and its unique artistic traditions<\/a>. Our Pavilion Gallery, located in the Flat Garden, and Calvin and Mahyo Tanabe gallery, located in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center, feature a changing series of exhibitions throughout the year. We also feature the horticultural art of bonsai in our warmer months on the Ellie M. Hill Bonsai Terrace<\/a> and Jubitz Oregon Terrace<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExplore Art Exhibitions<\/a>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoy Tea and Light Bites at the Umami Caf\u00e9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Umami Caf\u00e9<\/a>, located in the Cultural Village<\/a>, provides a place for you to relax and refresh while at the Garden. With a design reminiscent of Kyoto\u2019s Kiyomizu-dera temple, the Caf\u00e9 floats over the hillside and provides views of the area\u2019s natural beauty. Formerly reservation-only, guests can now enjoy counter service to enjoy tea from the acclaimed Jugetsudo Tea Company and a rotating selection of handcrafted sweets prepared by our culinary partners in Portland! Want to stroll and sip your tea? You can order it to go!<\/p>\n\n\n\nVisit the Umami Caf\u00e9 <\/a>\n\n<\/div>

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Bring Home a Memory from the Garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking to continue your exploration of Japanese garden arts and culture at home? The Garden Gift Shop<\/a>, located in the Cultural Village<\/a>, offers a unique mix of hand-selected items from Japan, including several items available nowhere else in the United States. Browse our meaningful and unique merchandise and take a piece of Portland Japanese Garden home. Make sure you keep an eye out in the warmer months for our annual summer marketplace, Behind the Shoji<\/a><\/em>. Every year it takes over the Pavilion Gallery to offer even more incredible goods and wares.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVisit the Gift Shop<\/a>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Things for Kids to Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to everything we\u2019ve already shared here, Portland Japanese Garden is continually looking into ways to make a visit something all ages can enjoy! Parents are encouraged to ask for a Children\u2019s Discovery Map<\/a> at our Mayho and Calvin Tanabe Welcome Center or Concierge office in the Cultural Village so they can participate in a scavenger-style search throughout the Garden. We\u2019ve recently opened our Family Studio on weekends which is a welcoming space where families can relax, choose an activity, and enjoy hands-on crafts like coloring, origami, and more, with offerings that change weekly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPlan Your Visit<\/a>\n\n<\/div>

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Enjoy the Perks of Membership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a member of Portland Japanese Garden, you help support our mission of Inspiring Harmony and Peace<\/em> and get to receive many benefits including unlimited free admission every day the Garden is open, special access to its festivals, seminars, and workshops, as well as exclusive discounts. We invite folks to check out our Membership Center in the heart of the Garden<\/a> to learn more and ask questions. Members also can enjoy time to read and study in our Vollum Library<\/a>, a calm space that currently holds over 3,000 publications relating to Japanese gardens and Japanese arts and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBecome a Member<\/a>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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See What a Day Looks Like at the Garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n