Looking for koi fish in the ponds at Portland Japanese Garden.

Portland Japanese Garden

Enjoy tranquility and inspiring views at one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Asia.

Updated June 19, 2023 2 min read Washington Park

John Patrick Pullen

Tucked into the scenic West Hills of Portland, above Washington Park and near the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty. Proclaimed as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the 12-acre (5 ha) space includes an authentic Japanese tea house, meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

Tips for Visiting Portland Japanese Garden

How much does it cost?

Admission to the Portland Japanese Garden:
$21.95 for Adults
$18.95 for Seniors (65+)
$17.95 for Students (with ID)
$15.95 for Youth (ages 6-17)
Free for members and children under 5

Details are subject to change; please check Portland Japanese Garden’s Website for current information.

When is it open?

Wednesday – Monday 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays
The last entry is at 6 p.m. Guests are out by 7 p.m.

How much time should I plan for my visit?

Most visitors to the gardens take one and a half to two hours.

Is parking available?

The Garden is located in the hills of Washington Park, directly above the International Rose Test Garden at 611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205

Parking can be a challenge in the lots at Washington Park. Public transit or ride-share services are highly recommended.

By bus/MAX: TriMet bus #63, which connects to the MAX stations at the Oregon Zoo and Providence Park.

#15-NW 23rd and #20-Burnside stop at NW 23rd & Burnside, about a one-mile walk up Washington Park.

Or you can take the Red or Blue line MAX train to the Washington Park stop and take a free Explore Washington Park shuttle to the Garden. Check the real-time shuttle tracker to find the next available shuttle.

Is the garden accessible by wheelchair?

At the top of the West Hills, which tower over downtown Portland, much of the garden is inaccessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Though there are some accessible garden spaces:

Flat Garden, including an overlook to the Sand and Stone Garden, Pavilion Gallery, Cultural Village including Umami Café, and the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center, which houses the Tanabe Gallery and Gift Shop.

What are some of the plants in the gardens?

Within the natural Douglas fir forest of Forest Park, visitors are greeted by giant Alaskan cedar and Japanese red and black pine; throughout the gardens, find beeches, cherries, flowering dogwood, Japanese and vine maple, boxwood, rhododendron, azaleas, camellia, wisteria, tree peony, ferns, yew, and countless other Pacific Northwest native Japanese native plants and shrubs.

Founded in 1963 as a symbol of healing between World War II adversaries, the grounds feature five separate garden styles, working in harmony to create a sense of peace. The lush Tea Garden is focused on a stone walking path designed to help visitors shed their concerns about the outside world. The Strolling Pond Garden would display wealth in Japan, but in this case, reflects the rich landscape, with a bridge zigzagging through beds of Japanese iris by the waterfall, Heavenly Falls. The Natural Garden is full of leafy trees and plants, most notably the Pacific Northwest native vine maple, deliberately placed to show off their changes through the seasons. Designed before Zen Buddhism became popular in the U.S., the Sand and Stone Garden uses the elements as focal points for quiet contemplation. And the Flat Garden, which can be best enjoyed from the garden’s pavilion, is reminiscent of a landscape portrait, combining various elements into a serene, four-season tableau with azalea shrubs and lace-leaf maple trees.

japanese style gate surrounded by fir trees — Antique Gate at Portland Japanese Garden.

waterfall in Portland's Japanese Garden — The Portland Japanese Garden offers over 5 acres of tranquility and a tea house.

sun on Japanese maple and fir tress — Sunlight in the forest at Portland Japanese Garden.

waterfall into a calm pond surrounded by trees, shrubs — The serene Heavenly Falls at Portland Japanese Garden.

cherry blossoms over zen garden — Cherry blossoms at the Flat Garden in Portland Japanese Garden.

people look at koi in pond at garden — Looking for koi fish in the ponds at Portland Japanese Garden.

stone path to teahouse in garden — Roji Path to the Kashintei Tea House at Portland Japanese Garden.

In April 2017, the Japanese Garden completed its first-ever upgrade since it opened, enhancing its five original areas — the Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Natural Garden and Sand & Stone Garden — with the Cultural Crossing Expansion. The massive undertaking added LEED-certified buildings and seven new garden spaces, all with the goal of expanding the garden’s teachings and maintaining its tranquil vibe.

Guided tours are included with the cost of admission, and the garden also hosts frequent events. Among the Portland Japanese Garden’s most popular affairs are its autumn moon-viewing nights, which feature live music, tea and sake service and seasonal Japanese foods under the illuminated sky.

Attractions, Parks & Gardens