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  • Attractions
    • woman photographing view of portlandView All Attractions
    • Attractions Open Now
    • Museums
    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • people sitting at tables eating foodView All Culture
    • Arts
    • Beer
    • Biking
    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
    • Food
    • Makers
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Outdoors
    • Sports
    • Weird
    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
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    • people walking on the sidewalk under a vintage Hollywood Theater signView All Neighborhoods
    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
    • Division/Clinton
    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
    • Lloyd
    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
    • Old Town Chinatown
    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • RegionView All Region
    • Near the City
    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
    • Willamette Valley
    • ALL REGIONS
  • Plan
    • Light rail train car driving past people shopping at an outdoor marketView All Plan
    • Portland Maps
    • Where to Stay
    • Tours & Itineraries
    • Transportation
    • When to Visit
    • International Resources
    • Portland Weather
    • COVID-19 FAQ
    • Safety in Portland
    • Plan a Meeting
  • Events
  • Search
sun on Japanese maple and fir tress sun on Japanese maple and fir tress
i
Sunlight in the forest at Portland Japanese Garden.
Culture / Cultural Communities / Japanese American Community

Japanese American Culture

Connect with Portland's rich Japanese-American heritage at sites around the city.

Know Before You Go

This section was produced in collaboration with The Asian Reporter, a community newspaper featuring international and Pacific Northwest news and events with an Asian focus.

Japanese American Historical Plaza and Friendship Circle

Thirteen stone markers commemorate the history of the Issei (first generation Japanese) and their descendants in the Japanese American Historical Plaza. One hundred ornamental cherry trees link the plaza to the Friendship Circle, where you’ll find a “singing” sculpture created to celebrate Portland’s 30-year Sister City relationship with Sapporo, Japan. Guided tours are offered by Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

Japanese American Museum of Oregon

The Japanese American Museum of Oregon preserves and shares the culture and history of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest through exhibits, talks and community events. The museum’s location, in an area referred to today as “Old Town Chinatown,” was home to more than 100 Japanese businesses prior to the spring of 1942.

The Japanese American Museum of Oregon preserves and shares the culture and history of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest with exhibits, events and talks throughout the year.

Nichiren Buddhist Temple of Portland

The Nichiren Buddhist Temple of Portland is a community center that hosts annual events, including a New Year’s celebration, an event for Buddha’s birthday, and festivals for spring and Obon. Visitors welcome.

Oregon Buddhist Temple

One of the oldest religious centers for the Japanese community, the Oregon Buddhist Temple is especially noteworthy for its beautiful sanctuary altar. The temple hosts special events to celebrate the new year, the birth of Buddha and also Obon. Visitors are welcome.

Oregon Historical Society

The Oregon Historical Society maintains substantial photo collections, news clippings and family history materials on Japanese Americans in Oregon. Collections include letters, diaries and objects from the internment.

Cultural Happenings

Events calendar
people performing on stage on large traditional japanese drums

Japanese American Events

Portland's Japanese American community offers engaging activities all year long.

a dancer wearing a colorful sash

Jade International Night Market

Thousands gather every August in Southeast Portland to celebrate the Jade District’s diverse immigrant community at the Jade International Night Market.

person selling products under a tent at an outdoor market

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Portland

Portland's Asian communities celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional dances, lantern ceremonies and stunning performances.

Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum has six galleries dedicated to its extensive collection of Asian art. The Japanese galleries include many prints, paintings and decorative arts from the Edo and Meiji periods in addition to contemporary art. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

Portland Japanese Garden

Acclaimed as the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan, this is an ideal retreat for meditation and contemplation. Covering nearly 12 acres, the Portland Japanese Garden features eight different gardens, replete with exquisite plants, carefully placed stones and relaxing pools.

Portland Japanese Garden

A haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden offers meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

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Portland Taiko

Asian-American drum ensemble Portland Taiko performs throughout the year at festivals, parks and many other venues. Taiko is an energetic fusion of traditional Japanese drumming, rhythm, movement and storytelling.

Resources

Japan-America Society of Oregon

A private, non-profit, membership organization, the Japan-America Society of Oregon is dedicated to promoting business, education and cultural exchange and enhancing mutual understanding between the people of Japan, Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Cultural Communities

Arts, Eats & History

More Japanese Community
Chef Mayumi Hijikata prepares ramen

The Portland-Japan Connection

Many of the best Portland goods and restaurants are popping up in a surprising place: Japan. (And vice versa!)

A gardener attends to a tree within Portland Japanese Garden

Japanese American Community

Japanese Americans have been a vital part of Portland's history for generations.

small living space including a cot and hung up laundry with image of a barbed wire fence surrounding, depicting Japanese internment living quarters

Japanese American History

Japanese Americans have been a critical part of Portland's past and present.

people look at koi in pond at garden

Portland Japanese Garden

A haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden offers meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

a woman cuts a large white sheet of tofu into squares

Ota Tofu: America’s Oldest Tofu House Calls Portland Home

This local family-run shop has been making tofu by hand for over a century.

A person sitting at a table holds a ramen spoon in a bowl

Portland Ramen Restaurants

The Portland ramen scene has exploded in recent years, spurred by the arrival of two authentic eateries straight from Tokyo.

sushi

Eight Great Sushi Spots Around Portland

Portland is only an hour away from the Pacific Ocean, so it should come as no surprise that the city’s sushi options are both delicious and expansive.

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