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North America United States Portland Do & See Portland Japanese Garden

Overview

Portland Japanese Garden

The guide was updated: 2024-10-13

Portland’s Japanese Garden spans 5.5 acres and is often considered the finest of its kind outside Japan. This serene oasis features tranquil waterfalls, koi ponds, and lush greenery, providing a peaceful retreat year-round. The garden also hosts a charming café that offers traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, with tea and snacks imported directly from Japan.

Useful Information

Address: 611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland
More Info: Free guided tours are available daily at noon.
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 10am–6pm, Mon 10am–5pm, Tue closed
Website: japanesegarden.org
Phone: +1 503 223 1321
Email: info@japanesegarden.org

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Coffee Culture

Coffee Culture

Dubbed the "home of American coffee culture," Portland knows what it takes to brew the perfect cup. In a 2016 survey of 100 U.S. cities, Portland topped the list, boasting the most coffee roasters per capita and the highest number of cafés. With so many spots to enjoy a great cup of coffee, you might think there's little room for discovery — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Portland’s coffee scene continues to evolve, with unique additions like Oracle Coffee Company, run by Andy Hurley, the drummer of Fall Out Boy and a self-described "vegan straight-edge anarchist." The choices are endless, but for a glimpse of where it all began, visit the original Stumptown Coffee Roasters location at 4525 Southeast Division Street. Many credit this tiny space with launching Portland’s rise to coffee fame, now a chain with outlets from New York to LA.

Portland Saturday Market

Portland Saturday Market

From March to the day before Christmas, the Portland Saturday Market unfolds along the Willamette River, offering much more than just shopping. This lively open-air market feels like a low-key party, complete with live jazz music, international food vendors, and local artists and designers showcasing their creations. Attracting nearly a million visitors annually, it’s a vibrant gathering spot for both locals and tourists alike.

Breweries

Breweries

Portland's beer culture dates back to the 1980s when the craft beer movement first began to gain momentum. What started as a handful of breweries has since become a defining element of the city's identity—earning it the nickname "Beervana." Today, Portland is home to roughly 80 (and counting!) craft breweries. A fun way to explore Portland's beer scene is by taking a bike tour that stops at a few local breweries. For those looking to sample a lot in a short amount of time, we recommend Loyal Legion, with 99 local brews on tap, or Apex, where you can taste some of the city's finest craft beers.

Food Cart Pods

Food Cart Pods

Portland earned its CNN-recognized title of "home to the world's best street food" thanks to a unique phenomenon: the "food cart pods." These clusters of food trucks and stalls, which enjoy semi-permanent locations and often feature shared dining areas with tables and seats, offer a diverse array of cuisines. With several hundred food carts, you can find everything from classic Americana burgers to Korean-style tacos. Notable food cart pods include those on Fifth and Third Avenues in downtown Portland, as well as the Portland State University campus. Other popular pods are Cartopia and Cartlandia in Southeast Portland, Prost Marketplace in the Northeast, and Killingsworth Station, among several others.

Portland Art Museum

Portland Art Museum

Ranked among the most prominent cultural institutions in the Pacific Northwest, the Portland Art Museum features dedicated centers for Native American and Northwest art, alongside rotating exhibitions and permanent collections in its Asian and Modern & Contemporary art wings. The museum also houses two renowned masterpieces: Monet’s Water Lilies and Van Gogh’s The Ox-Cart.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a gigantic playground for both adults and children. Focusing on natural sciences and technology, the museum features several labs in five exhibition halls – chemistry, paleontology, space, and more. You can also explore the USS Blueback Submarine and a planetarium. The Empirical Café and Theory Restaurant will provide you with refreshments if needed.

Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden

Portland’s Japanese Garden spans 5.5 acres and is often considered the finest of its kind outside Japan. This serene oasis features tranquil waterfalls, koi ponds, and lush greenery, providing a peaceful retreat year-round. The garden also hosts a charming café that offers traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, with tea and snacks imported directly from Japan.

The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum

The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum

This museum of oddities is a temple of all things weird, bizarre, and — at times — gross and creepy. From an alien autopsy table and (somewhat disturbing) crime scene recreations to treats served at the on-site café (dessert with crickets and scorpion bits, anyone?), the Peculiarium is a bloody good time if you're not too squeamish (or underage).

International Rose Test Garden

International Rose Test Garden

Experience firsthand why Portland is known as the "City of Roses" by visiting its Rose Test Garden, the oldest official rose garden in the U.S. Established during World War I, the garden was originally created as a refuge for roses threatened by bombings and potential extinction. Not only did the roses survive, but they have continued to thrive and bloom in Portland. The garden is open to visitors from April through October, with the peak bloom occurring in June.

Forest Park

Forest Park

Portland is home to the nation's largest wooded urban park—Forest Park. A short hike in, and you'll find it hard to believe that civilization is just steps away. With 70 miles of trails winding through the forest and offering views of the Willamette River, you'll often have nature all to yourself. However, you're also likely to run into locals jogging or walking their dogs—expect to be greeted with a friendly "hello." If you have the time, hike up to Pittock Mansion, a stunning French Renaissance-style château that once belonged to Henry Pittock, a prominent publisher and businessman. Today, the mansion serves as a historic house museum open to visitors, offering panoramic views of the city. Another popular destination within Forest Park is the so-called "Witch's Castle"—the moss-covered ruins of an abandoned stone house. Despite its eerie name, there’s no record of witchcraft here. However, legend has it that its original inhabitant was the first person in Oregon to be sentenced to execution for murder in 1859.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden, a tranquil oasis in downtown Portland, was built as a gift from Portland’s sister city, Suzhou, China. The garden features decorative rocks imported from China by the workers who helped construct it. Visitors can enjoy guided tours (included in the admission price), explore rare plants native to China, and relax in a traditional tea house. The garden also hosts a rotating array of cultural events and activities.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Before you head out to explore parks further afield, take a stroll through one of Portland's most popular urban spaces: the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, overlooking the Willamette River. There's usually plenty of activity here, given all of the cyclists, skateboarders, joggers, and picnickers that come here, but even more, come to attend major outdoor events and festivals held here throughout the year. On hot summer days, many flock to the refreshing Salmon Street Springs.

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