Portland Japanese Garden image

Portland Japanese Garden

Cafe Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark Gift shop Garden Tea house Art gallery Cultural center Botanical garden Education center

One of the Most Reviewed Caves in Portland


Address

611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205, United States

Website

japanesegarden.org

Contact

+1 503-223-1321

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (6.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 6 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
  • Monday: 10 am to 6 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: garden (54) beautiful (26) Japanese (24) Portland (21) walk (19) visit (18) time (16) shop (14) gift (13) parking (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Amy W. 1 year ago on Google
    The garden was beautiful! It was a little smaller than I expected, but it had nicely paved paths, nice spring blooms and a peaceful vibe. The queue for the Japanese cafe inside is super long, so make sure to reserve your spot first thing when you get in. Would be even more beautiful if the cherry blossoms weren't at the end of their bloom.
    22 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 B P. 2 years ago on Google
    At first I thought the price for entry was a bit on the pricey side, but I think it was well worth it. The garden was very peaceful and relaxing. Went in the morning when it was still cool and crisp out. The sounds of the flowing streams and the few small waterfalls while staring at the zen garden make all the difference. 10/10
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Meghan M. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great start to our weekend Portland trip. The grounds are beautiful and so well maintained. It took us about 1.5 hours to wander the grounds. The only feedback I would give is that when I researched the garden before going it did not mention that there is a bit of a hike to even get to the garden. I navigated it fine but I could see this being an obstacle for others.
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tristan C. 6 months ago on Google • 140 reviews
    Definitely worth a visit! It was super peaceful and so beautiful. They have tours there but it seemed like most just walked through on their own. It’s not huge so you can get through it somewhat quick so take your time. The paths are uneven but there was a sign saying they did that on purpose so you would be forced to take your time. It’s all very intentional which is super cool. All the sounds of nature are really pretty and it’s well groomed. Bought our tickets ahead of time so we got in pretty quick at our allotted time. There is parking up top and I think it’s a couple bucks an hour but we just walked our way in. I’m sure the parking fills up quick though. There’s a nice little cafe and gift shop and information center at the top before you walk into the garden as well. The gift shop was cool and it seemed like the cafe had some authentic options.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angelyka C. 2 months ago on Google • 963 reviews New
    I've been to the Portland Japanese Garden twice, once with a buddy of mine and then again with my partner. It's such a tranquil environment to spend some time in a controlled and well-organized mixture of culture nature. The garden itself isn't huge and you can explore a lot of it in a couple of hours, but I would recommend taking your time in viewing the scenery and experiencing the places with all senses possible. If you're able to go on a weekday, it's especially well worth your money, as there are less people and you can enjoy the calmness of the environment. My partner and I went here on Valentine's Day and had an amazing first part of our day. It can get distracting and hectic here on the weekends with more people and a lot of kids involved, which I feel can be detracting from the place, though they do a good job attempting to combat that problem by setting a limit on how many people can enter at a certain time. The garden is different during all four seasons, and now my partner and I want to experience all of them together. There are a lot of reasons to go back besides that, though. It's a nice way to spend some time and decompress while still being outside and feeling productive. They have a cute little café and gift shop. Employees are kind and knowledgeable, and they look happy to work at this place.

  • 5/5 Sue M. 6 months ago on Google • 99 reviews
    Our early October visit to the Portland Japanese Gardens provided us a monochromatic view of the beauty of the gardens. Having read some of the Google Maps Reviews, we saw how other visitors have contributed photos of beautiful gardens full of color. We missed that season by months, but that didn’t take away from our visit. We were fascinated by the textures, the variety of steps, the water. Even though the clouds were low and it began to lightly rain, it didn’t distract from our visit. We did take advantage of the free shuttle to the top of the hill and enjoyed our stroll down. There are no restrooms by the entrance; they are at the top of the hill. Would love to return and visit during the other seasons.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kelly S. 2 years ago on Google
    We drove from Eugene to come to this garden, it was a lovely experience other then staff telling us we couldn't take photos? Maybe post signs that say that outside? The staff member was very rude and made us feel very awkward. I just think there is a polite way of saying things and she was not polite in any way. We didn't deserve to be treated like that. Especially since we paid to come see the garden and feel peaceful. Staff in restaurant and gift shop were very nice and informative. The garden was beautiful and we could see the mountains in the background. Lovely experience, would recommend it, though I have no idea if you are allowed to take pictures, so maybe ask before entering.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M A. 6 months ago on Google • 65 reviews
    This is an oasis in Portland. The grounds are meticulously kept, and the buildings are beautiful recreations of historic Japanese structures. There are tours offered, a gift shop, and a modern tea house on site. However, it was an hour and a half wait on the Sunday we visited, so we had to skip it. It is a hike to get from the shuttle drop off area or parking to the top of the hill where this resides but there is also a free shuttle back and forth from the top fi you need it. Limited options for refreshments: On Sunday afternoon we went, I was informed they had sold out of water, but there were a few water fountains available. The bathrooms are nice, and the garden areas are varied. Your experience may be affected by others who don't understand keeping their voices subdued in tranquil and relaxing settings. There are plenty of small seating areas to enjoy some snatched privacy or the views. On a clear day like we had you can also catch an amazing view of Mount Baker in the distance towering over the city.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessenia R. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is beautiful! Very relaxing and amazing place to take pictures. My girls really enjoyed the fish and site seeing. They have a Cafe restaurant, a gift shop, a learning center and bathrooms. The walk is not crazy long but it took is about 1 1/2 hours to go through it all. Most of it is up hill , with some leveled areas. If you have never been it's definitely a place to try out. Parking was tight lots of people on a Sunday. You have to pay for parking and then line up to pay the entrance fee. Children 5 and younger are free.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter X. 9 months ago on Google
    You should definitely check out this Japanese Garden if you're in the area because it is totally worth it. You have to pay an admission fee to enter but it's not a lot and you're supporting the garden. You have to take a small hike to go to the main entrance but it is well worth it. They have a little cafe here but there isn't a lot of options so just be aware. The view that you get of the waterfall, design and being with nature is wonderful. You can spend a good 30 minutes just walking around and enjoying your view. There are also workers around the garden as well if you need help or someone to take your picture. We really like the main little waterfall that they have here. Parking is not free I think so just be aware that you might have to pay for that as well. They have a little gift shop where my wife got an earring from. Just follow the pathway and you won't get lost.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca S. 1 year ago on Google
    What a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy nature. The admission fee is a little steep for the size ($18), but I think it's worth it for the most part. The walk to the entrance is pretty hilly, so some people might find it taxing. The gift shop sold a ton of cool merchandise, but was definitely on the pricier side of things. There is an educational center in the main hub of the garden that goes through the history of the garden. Worth a visit for sure.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Polakshee G. 1 year ago on Google
    The garden is very beautiful, serene and pleasing to the eyes. Definitely a must visit in Portland! I would recommend having ample time while visiting the garden. Each and every corner of the garden is photogenic. If you are taking a tripod to take pictures you have to pay extra for it ($10-$15 I think). We visited the garden around 11 am and the parking spaces were already packed. We ended up parking our car in one of the alleys of the nearby neighborhood.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kseniya P. 7 months ago on Google
    Very beautiful Japanese garden. A wonderful and educational place for family pastime and enjoy Japanese culture. We walked for 2 hours and enjoyed it very much. We managed to see the feeding of koi carp, it was very interesting for the children. Beautiful and very picturesque place, solitude and peace. Wonderful gift shop. There is a restaurant nearby in case you get hungry after a 2 hour walk through this incredible place. The price justifies expectations. Thank you very much, we will definitely be back.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan C. Van W. 9 months ago on Google
    This is definitely one of my favorite places in Portland and one of my favorite garden spaces in the country. What a gem of a space. Definitely sign up for a tour as it is time well spent getting the background and history of the space and learning about all of the thoughtfulness and intentionality that went into this beautiful space. It was great to catch a tea ceremony demonstration and to have tea in the tea house at the end. This is one place in Portland I will plan to visit on every trip.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Jonatan P. 9 months ago on Google
    I had high expectations for this Japanese Garden especially after visiting the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden. The tickets were really expensive so I thought that it must be more beautiful and bigger than the one in SF. Oh boy was I wrong. After entering the garden and walking around for 20 minutes I got to the point where I realised I had already seen it all. I could not believe it. There was only a few little ponds and waterfalls and a lot of stairs in this garden. The ticket price is outrageous for something so small. I did not hate it but it was really disappointing. I do not recommend visiting this garden unless you want to pay for an overpriced visit for a few ponds and a bunch of stairs.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Omid S. 5 months ago on Google
    This is a must see in Portland for sure! Such serene tranquility.. it is amazing how peaceful this place is! It is wonderful to get to see all the zen gardens and the bonsais! The bonsais alone are worth the visit! Some gardens have amazing views of the city too! Be ready for a mini hike, and there are elevations to be gained as well! But walking paths are nicely maintained! The walking was not bad though! The whole area has great weather too! There is a little shooting are with some art peices on display and some goodies for sale. Parking is plentiful around the entrence! Make sure you buy your ticket online, or there will most probably be a line! Also make sure you allocate a few hours to it! I’d say 2-3 hours to appreciate the views, gardens, ponds and much more that can be enjoyed! This is not a place you want to run through real fast, you want to give it time and appreciate it! Walking: some elevation gain Cleanness: clean and nicely maintained People: nice but not super informed Parking: easy!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ramaz J. 1 year ago on Google
    very nice garden with interesting places and trees. You could say we are in Japan. The area of ​​the park is not big, but it is dense. I think it will be interesting for everyone, both children and adults. there is a place where you can sit and enjoy the beauty of nature and walking path. It takes about 2-3 hours to see everything. Lots of beautiful places to take pictures. paid entrance. I love it here and go every year. I advise everyone who has not been to visit, you will be satisfied.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joe J. 2 months ago on Google • 137 reviews New
    If you’re coming here you probably have an interest in Japanese gardens or wanted a pretty place to be in nature whether by yourself or with friends and family, well I have to say it was indeed beautiful. I’d say if you were to really speed run the sites you can walk through the whole park in 30 minutes to an hour but considering we should be mindful of the details that go into this beautiful garden I’d say if you’re an adult you can properly take in the sites and surroundings in 1.5-2 hours. So many small details and signs of beauty you would miss if you hurry through. It was a great way to spend the day, it was gorgeous and I really did feel at peace here while trying to be mindful of the work the staff put into maintaining this beautiful garden. On a clear day there’s a wonderful view of Mt. Hood? And you could spend much longer than 1.5-2 hours there if you chose to do so. You can walk up from the entrance to the main gardens or there is a bus and or parking that can get you up to the main attractions (I think). There’s also an area in the gardens where they hold exhibits, the current miniature exhibit (as of 02/24) was great and interesting and I’d recommend checking it out as well. There were no real negatives but I’ll list out what I wish I knew, as of now (02/24) the koi aren’t out in their usual numbers as they are doing something to keep them healthy until spring time comes in. And the traditional tea house is not what’s generally open to the public but a place where you can take photos of and walk by. I’m sure you can reserve a tea ceremony somehow, but I was excited to drink tea in a traditional tea house and didn’t realize the tea house/cafe on site was more modern (yet good and welcoming but not what I was hoping to do while here). Overall it’s gorgeous, a good time and when in Portland I’d recommend checking it out for sure, even in the winter (02/24) it was gorgeous and I can’t wait to experience this place during the different seasons!

  • 5/5 Robert H. 9 months ago on Google
    Walk into a place of tranquility and rediscovery. This is oasis hidden among the city. A leisurely walk through the garden will put your state of mind of calmness and escaping the day to day. The views are beautiful. The bonsai trees are a very welcoming addition. Go from place to place and see what a bit of meditation can bring around. Take in the air in its purest form. This is definitely a place that I'll come back to visit again. Gift shop, restrooms, and a fairly decent sized restaurant. There are plenty of customer service attendants walking around if you do have questions regarding the area. Go by and see. Look into your own personal life and see what happens.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brittany M. 1 year ago on Google
    We love coming here in the mornings before the crowds. It’s beauty and serenity are soothing to the soul. If you live locally I encourage the year membership. If you have 5-10 days a year to visit or more it’s well worth the initial investment for a great cause. Thank you Portland Japanese Garden for a wonderful place! We appreciate you!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca B. 5 months ago on Google
    A serene and beautiful place in Portland. The walk around the garden is calming. There are benches around to sit and reflect. They have a modern tea shop and a gift shop as well. It’s autumn and the colors of the leaves are so beautiful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kieran D. 7 months ago on Google
    Very beautiful! The architecture, pathways, and water features were pleasant. I was anticipating a wider variety of interesting plants, but it looks like the architecture is the main focus and the plants are largely filler. Also, it only took us 45 minutes at a leisurely place to make it through the whole thing. I wish it would've lasted longer for the price of the ticket.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mayur P. 1 year ago on Google
    The Portland Japanese Gardens is a wonderfully peaceful.place however is it much smaller than I was expecting. The architecture of the buildings is stunning and it compliments the surrounding nature and trees very well. There is no food or drink allowed in the garden area so the only place you can eat is at the cafe. The sand garden is cool and the traditional tea house is very authentic. I was a bit underwhelmed by heavenly falls, as I was expecting a much larger waterfall.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sonam 11 months ago on Google
    The Portland Japanese Gardens extraordinarily beautiful. I happened to go when it was a perfect day and I enjoyed every aspect of it. I read some complaints about the hike up, but to that help to segment the garden to its own world. The gift shops were really awesome. There were a pretty large variety of items to purchase. On top of that there was a showcase of art right next to it. The garden itself has multiple sections to walk through. Each segment had its own unique identity. Truly my only complaint about the garden is one it’s entrance fee and two it’s size. I felt that for how small it was the fee was not up to par. If it was bigger I’d honestly be completely okay with how much I spent. Though I wouldn’t let that deter any new newcomers because it’s still an amazing experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thy B. 9 months ago on Google
    Great place to take your friends and family when they are visiting Portland. They also have an amazing tea house that you’re able to visit that serves authentic Japanese tea! The Japanese garden also host their own art gallery base on the month. Since the garden is so close to many other attractions, it’s definitely worth the trip to visit with your family or friends!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 franchesica k. 3 months ago on Google • 111 reviews New
    If you're out in Portland visiting, I highly recommend coming here! It was raining when I went, but I was still able to see everything the garden had to offer. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and there's enough to keep you occupied at least for half of the day. It wasn't too crowded either and very peaceful to walk around the garden. There's a decent sized parking lot, but you do have to pay. Also, you do have to walk uphill and climb a few stairs to get to the actual garden as a fair warning. But I had a great experience and would come back again!

  • 5/5 Talia W. 3 months ago on Google • 104 reviews New
    Wrapping 2023 in a peaceful and tranquil place. As soon as you walk in the garden you feel relaxed and your mind quiets down. Everything looks so green and fresh in the rain, I’m sure that spring time is gorgeous with all the flowers, I will have to go back to check it out then. There is a little cute shop when you get to the top of the gardens and also a miniature sculptures exhibit. On a nice clear day you can see mount Hood. There is enough parking space but you have to pay for parking, and of course a restroom on premises.

  • 5/5 Shrek W. 5 months ago on Google
    Probably THE Most popular tourist place in Portland city. Claimed to be the biggest Japanese garden in north America. True to the fame, the garden is really well designed and staffed. Beautiful view throughout the year. Often you can find surprise local Japanese capture presentations at the site for free. Also right next to the Japanese garden is the beautiful rose garden. so lot of things to do there. At the top of the hill, some time it could get chilly. Bring a thick jacket if needed.

  • 5/5 Nandakishore K. 1 year ago on Google
    Portland Japanese Garden at Kingston Avenue is a beautiful garden. It is situated in Washington Park, Portland . It is very attractive as has streams, walk paths, different types of stone structures amidst thick forest like garden. Tall and old trees have added beauty to this garden. The view of Mount Hood is breathtaking and fascinating. The Gift Shop houses Japanese Arts and Crafts. Overall a very good experience.

  • 5/5 Carlee B. 9 months ago on Google
    This is a must see on your trip to Portland. Was lucky enough to snag a spot in the parking lot, and had time to kill in the rose garden before we were able to visit the Japanese gardens. The gardens were stunning and well taken care of. The staff at the gift shops were incredibly kind and the bonsai exhibit was awesome.

  • 5/5 Edwin Y. 1 year ago on Google
    An excellent place to visit and walk around. Beautifully curated and with nice shade on most of the walk. I will not there are steep elevation changes, especially on the entrance to the actual garden, which can be steep for those trying to walk. Also, there really isn't that much in the buildings and the gift shop, while having great items, it very small.

  • 5/5 Jim O. 10 months ago on Google
    So beautiful and relaxing. The attention and care that goes into this garden is impressive and very apparent. There was quite a few people there while I was there, but with a little patience I was able to experience most of it without people right on top of me. Definitely worth the $21.95 price of entry.

  • 5/5 Nihar B. 4 months ago on Google • 29 reviews
    The Portland Japanese Garden is a serene oasis that offers a tranquil and beautiful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. As you wander through the paths, you’re greeted with meticulously maintained landscapes that showcase the art of Japanese gardening. Each area of the garden has its unique charm, from the peaceful Koi ponds to the stunningly manicured trees and plants. The attention to detail in every aspect of the garden is remarkable. It’s a place where you can truly appreciate the changing seasons, each bringing its own unique beauty. The garden also offers lovely views of the city, adding to its charm. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, contributing to an overall welcoming atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot for contemplation, photography, or simply a peaceful walk. A visit to the Portland Japanese Garden is a must for anyone looking to experience a slice of tranquility and beauty.


Call +1 503-223-1321 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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