Portland’s Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden, Portland OR — Jaw dropping beauty in a blood pressure dropping atmosphere.

TRAVEL THERE: JAPANESE GARDEN IN PORTLAND OR

Welcome to Oregon! Well, sort of. In June my husband and I spent twelve days traveling the state and now I’m sharing the experience with you. I’ll tell you about the attractions we visited, the meals we ate and where we stayed. Maybe you’ll decide you want to visit Oregon, too. Today’s focus is the Japanese Gardens in Portland.

Another Garden at the End of a Long Day

My husband thinks I’m crazy. After a day of sightseeing, a parade, city festivals and a crafts market, I still had things I wanted to do. We were headed to the Columbia River Gorge the next morning and even though I told myself that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I didn’t get to see all the gardens in a city of gardens, I really didn’t want to miss anything.

Looking at these pictures, I think you’ll agree with me that the Japanese Gardens are a must-see attraction, but be aware, they are not handicap-friendly. They do try to facilitate mobility-challenged people, but I think it would be difficult to manage without a lot of determination and for some people, impossible.

The parking lot for the gardens gives no hint to what is ahead. We arrived late in the evening with less than an hour to see it all. From the parking lot, you enter a lovely forested glade which soon gives way to a steep path leading to the garden itself. Tall trees dapple the heavy undergrowth with sunlight. Though the primary road through the park is mere feet away, the visitor is immediately surrounded in quiet. The steep grade causes you to focus on putting one foot before the other, cleansing your mind of the worries of the day.

Though I seem to have misplaced mine, at the entry gate you’ll be given a map that explains what you’ll see. Like the Chinese Garden, admission to the Japanese Garden is $9.50. If I had to choose between them, I’d definitely make sure to see this one, but I still love Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden the best. I’d also give myself more than an hour, but you take what you can get.

There’s really nothing that I can say better than the garden can say for itself, so I’m going to quit the commentary and go right to our photographs. Come back next Monday and I’ll take you to the Rose Gardens.