Reviews of Portland Japanese Garden (Tourist Attraction)

RANDALL GRAVES

Beautiful spot on a cool but sunny fall day. Lots of space while I was there to sit in a quiet corner, and let the sound of moving water and the wind in the trees calm my spirit

Nick Pellegrino

Very short activity for the price. Trees were beautiful and the koi fish were fun to watch, but I would highly recommend the International Rose Garden 1 minute down the hill instead. For the elderly or those with children, there is a shuttle bus that brings you to the park entrance from the parking lot (fills up very quickly). Not all parts of the park are stroller friendly.

Alex Wohletz

Overpriced and under maintained. The gardens are small and fairly dull; the whole thing felt over monetized for what you're actually getting. Would not recommend.

Oh M

immaculate grounds. well presented zen garden. awesome gigantic koi were impressive. many passages with soothing water ponds and stone works. tranquil and relaxing walk. 1 hr is ample

Andy S

Not sure why there are so many good reviews of this place. $38 for two of us to get in and it was not worth our time or money. Skip this place and just visit the Rose garden it's much better and free. The bonzai trees and koi fish were the only thing worth looking at here.

YeongMin Lee

Nicely kept and serene. I have videos; but they won't attach. Bring your kids. They provide a map where the kids have to find specific statues. Some are so well hidden that we never found some. Recommended that you visit in each of the seasons as the scenery will change throughout the whole year. We're looking forward to the Summer visit. Parking Kitty App required for parking.

John Osgood

Amazing and beautiful. Loved the visit.

BinDu MurALidharaN

Beautiful location, there is an eerie feeling as you walk in but the silence and the energy in the space is awesome! It’s humbling to be around so many trees and plants when you are in a big city. On weekends and holidays it gets crowded and you need to stand in long lines to get your entry ticket, so it’s better to show up early if you want to visit and enjoy the park at leisure.

Cassie Crooks- Luepke

Beautiful, calming, and really a wonderful attraction for the PDX area. You do need to pay to get in, but it’s worth the hours of peace you can experience. If you aren’t into relaxing, meditation, or plants though, maybe not for you.

Samantha Dawson

Portland Japanese Garden is such a relaxing place to walk through. The team and designers have done and incredible job creating this space and it felt like a privilege being able to walk through. I would suggest walking through the location twice, once with a tour guide and once on your own. It is also great that Portland's Rose Gardens are just beside the Japanese Gardens. It is great to see both within the same day!

Jocelyn

Beautiful, tranquil and relaxing. Be forewarned - not very stroller friendly. If you have a carrier, use that instead of lugging the stroller or take the shuttle.

Philip

I have traveled the world and there may be no place better than summertime in Portland. Portland should be on every tourist’s list of must see cities in the U.S. Top 5 things to love about Portland: 1. The food: If you are a foodie, you will find the best ethnic food — from high end to the street side food carts. Enjoy flavors from Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Israel, and Asia. And the most amazing Saturday Farmers market. 2. Nature: within city limits you have awesome hiking trails, the Willamette River, and the Pacific Ocean an hour away. 3. Parks: My favorite is the Japanese Garden. There are too many other great ones to list, including the park blocks and waterfront. 4. Coffee culture: great coffee. But, lets not forget great beer and Oregon wines for those who prefer other beverages than coffee. 5. Soccer, bikes, walkable, the arts, and friendliness: A Timbers game feels like being in Europe, Portland is bike friendly, the city is walkable, and the people are amazingly friendly and nice. Art walk and first Thursdays is a must.

Ghassan Abuelian

Magical, beautiful architecture and plant life Must go. Check out the tea house as well.

Pradeep Ravichandran

Beautiful garden at Portland! It has a pond where they breed unique fishes. It takes about 2 hours to explore the Garden fully. Take your time to go to all the spots following the map. Must-visit place in portland !

賴奕翔

Extremely beautiful place. A place you can clam your mind and enjoy the environment.

foodinyourfaceable

This is a nice garden. It's expensive to get in for what it offers. I am glad to have seen it once but I am not likely to return.

Sanjana Balakrishna

Very well maintained garden. It's great for all ages. They have a variety of trees and it's very peaceful to be in this garden. The entry is $19/adult.

Michael Katz

The Japanese Garden is a short cab or Uber ride from the center of the city, but feels miles away. The Gardens are located on the green, tree filled hillside near the zoo and other attractions. It's a beautiful, serene spot with perfectly manicured spaces. You could easily spend time relaxing and enjoying the scenery or if you're short on time, you can walk through quickly and still enjoy this amazing space. The entry fee is small and on a cold day, you can stop in at the tea room before you leave to warm up.

Emperor XLII

A surprisingly large and diverse set of gardens nestled amount the pines. Great to walk, or to just sit and relax. Cafe offers several plates with different green teas (small but tasty fare). Even when overcast, the scenery is beautiful.

Kelsey Cross

Beautiful garden, definitely worth a visit. Lots of stairs and slopes to navigate, but walking around the garden will feel that much better after you get through it.

Higamein1

It’s a very beautiful place to visit during a trip to Portland. The tickets may be a little bit pricey($15-adults, $13-youth) but you can tell that that money is being put to goo use. The gardens themselves are really beautiful and have a real authentic feeling to them. It a nice place to go with your family or as a couple.

Bobby S

In my opinion, this place was overpriced for what it offered. Once you include parking the price came out to over $40 for two of us. Don't get me wrong, the garden was nice to stroll through, but it was a quick stroll. Afterwards we went to the Rose Test Garden across the street and that's the spot to be. We walked through there twice, smiling and admiring all the roses. Price for that? Free. The Japanese Garden just seemed like a place for people to try and show off that they have money. It was our mistake that we confused these two gardens, but I can only wonder how many other people walk in there and ask "Where are the roses?"

Joe St. Germain

It's beautiful. If you want to "get-away" but only have time for something low impact that you can enjoy for a couple of hours and then be on your way, this is the place. Great cafe as well as two gift shops with a nice selection. Recommend going on a weekday if you can since it will be very busy on weekends over the spring/summer

Trinity Scott-Hinkle

Spent three hours here with my boyfriend. The bonsai are very cool and they have a crazy amount of koi. One koi was so large I felt chills of awe everytime it swam beneath it.

Mandy

It’s a beautiful garden and I appreciate it being here in Portland. However, I think the nearly $20 admission price for adults is a little steep. Also if you go during peak weather it is obviously packed and it can make it a little difficult to walk through the garden. However I think it is beautiful at would recommend people see it at least once.

Jesse Higdon

Beautiful garden with many subtle nuances to enjoy! Ticket office is at the base of the hill with a free shuttle to the top, if you didn’t want to walk. The paths are well maintained and easy to navigate. -Only down side were the teenagers breaking fences and trampling the garden so they could get the “perfect selfie”. Such a shame!

Ray Spickler

Had a great visit here. A very serene and beautiful attraction, I highly recommend. Tickets required, but it's worth the price.

Maria Gonzalez

The security of this place is awful. We got robbed on bright daylight and when we asked for help the park only told us robberies are very common. They should mention that on their website if that’s the case. We were only able to get some help from the park rangers. They helped with putting a plastic on the broken window but no one responded for our loss. Awful experience.

Qadgop the Mercotan

Quite lovely, and smells nice too! Double Winner!

Vanilla Hu

Most authentic Japanese’s garden in the states.

MsBlueriver66

It maybe small but it is beautiful!

Vince Sellers

Fine, but for $19 each not amazing. Spent 30 minutes here and that was at a slow pace, but I am not good at sitting still and meditating. I significantly enjoyed the other free attractions in the area much more. My advice would be to take a free hike in the park, see the rose garden, amazing Pittock mansion with fantastic views, witch’s castle trail, and the arboretum with thousands of different types of trees. Or venture out of the city and see all of the jaw dropping waterfalls (all free!).

Sandi Young

Hidden Gem. While visiting the Portland area, we had some time to kill. We decided to visit these gardens. I had previously heard of them but hadn't really had the opportunity. Our visit was in winter and after a series of storms that hit the Portland area. We used GPS to find the gardens as it is located in a hilly area. Once we arrived the parking area is small however street parking is available for a fee. Fees are paid at a kiosk, make sure you know your parking space number. Once you pay entrance fees into the gardens you can ride a shuttle to the entrance. Our driver suggested several must sees and got out at the entrance topoint out a hand stacked wall built by a 13th generation stone stacker. I suggest getting a map of the gardens so you don't miss anything. There are several buildings that house information, artifacts and special events. A gift shop and cafe are on the premises and worth a visit. Visiting the gardens in the winter time covered in snow gave it an angelic look and I can't wait to visit at other times of the year. These breathtaking gardens are definitely worth a visit.

Elana Olson

Such a beautiful, tranquil, and mindful space. The garden is immaculate- although smaller than expected. Beautiful trees and peaceful benches throughout the garden. The downside is the cost - it is way over priced given how small it is.

Hans van Rietschote

Very cool. Nice and Zen. Price could be a little lower like $12.50 max.

Diane Hoang

I went during end of summer so not much color but nice garden that is manicured well

Bruce W Pflaum

Incredibly well designed, managed and maintained Japanese garden. I have visited hundreds of gardens in Japan and the Portland Japanese Gardens rank up there with the very best. Admission is a bit pricey, but worth it (and the money is obviously well spent). The garden is arranged to highlight the changing seasons and is a great experience no matter what the time of the year or weather. (It is even a treat in the rain!). Allow a couple of hours to soak in the many aspects of this unique experience. The Gardens also host a number of events so if you are planning a visit, check the website to see what's on. Note; No food or pets allowed. Well worth a trip. Highly recommended.

Sudeep Chaturvedi

The description read "Most authentic Japanese garden outside Japan". I found the place okay. The place needs tickets to enter and I found the tickets to be on the expensive side ($17 per head - didn't get any group discount for a group of 8). The park is well maintained but we visited early September which didn't look like the best time to visit the park. Plan your visit as this park can get very busy during peak hours.

Heatherann Price

This is an incredible experience. I go several times a year. While the gardens are the same, they are gardens, they change. Going in the rain is as wonderful as going in the sun. Every season is worth experiencing. Some of the gardens are hard to access if you have mobility impairments, however there is still plenty to see. One can walk up or take the shuttle. Parking is paid. I recommend going as early as possible to enjoy the gardens before they are crowded. Be careful in rainy weather, many pathways become slick and do not have handrails.

Brandon Oliver

Awesome experience. The day we went they had performers from Japan doing a show as well. Could sit and watch the koi waterfalls all day. The designs and layout is so serene as well

Joe Eleazar

A serene place for mind meditation and relaxation.

Peter Carlesimo

It’s hard to find a place to begin to describe the full scope of greatness that the Gardens offers. It is a blend of incredible trees, bushes, paths, sculptures, water features, and serenity. You can come to traverse the grounds or simply sit and escape in meditation or thought. A must see....over and over. With its central location it’s very easy to get to. Wear some comfortable shoes since you the opportunity to take time and stroll around the grounds. All who wander are not lost.

Heatherann Price

This is an incredible experience. I go several times a year. While the gardens are the same, they are gardens, they change. Going in the rain is as wonderful as going in the sun. Every season is worth experiencing. Some of the gardens are hard to access if you have mobility impairments, however there is still plenty to see. One can walk up or take the shuttle. Parking is paid. I recommend going as early as possible to enjoy the gardens before they are crowded. Be careful in rainy weather, many pathways become slick and do not have handrails.

Itzik Kent

An amazing garden that you must visit if you get to Portland. It puts you in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere set by the beauty, aesthetics and style of the Japanese way of gardening. Every plant is personally being taken care of. Paved walking trails take you along a breathe taking mix of colors, water streams, wood structure and shapes that are everywhere. The site includes also typical Japanese houses and Japanese souvenir shops. Parking is available near by, but is limited in busy hours. Do not miss it

Kevin Woods

This is the only true Japanese Garden in the area. Plenty of street parking that is free and metered parking. The venue is not that big. I feel like I was able to see all the exhibits in an hour or two. Very calm and relaxing place.

Jesse Higdon

Beautiful garden with many subtle nuances to enjoy! Ticket office is at the base of the hill with a free shuttle to the top of you didn’t want to walk. The paths are well maintained and easy to navigate. -Only down side were the teenagers breaking fences and trampling the garden so they could get the “perfect selfie”. Such a shame!

Alfreda Cutler

Absolutely beautiful and tranquil Japanese garden. So many unique places to sit and soak in the beauty. Despite being busy, it was still quiet and there were places to pull aside and have a private moment. Very well maintained. Took about 2 hours to get through the garden. The tea house was also lovely but would recommend making a reservation or getting on the wait list before you start walking around.

BinDu MurALidharaN

Beautiful location, there is an eerie feeling as you walk in but the silence and the energy in the space is awesome! It’s humbling to be around so many trees and plants when you are in a big city. On weekends and holidays it gets crowded and you need to stand in long lines to get your entry ticket, so it’s better to show up early if you want to visit and enjoy the park at leisure.

SonnyBlck 1

Came here on our vacation, there parking outside but you can also take a shuttle the parking is free. It does cost money to inside we went on a Monday and it cost us 16.95 to enter. They do have little coffee tea shop that's all fancy! The garden itself is beautiful and very large if you have a stroller you will find it difficult in some areas. It's very peaceful and calm and has amazing scenery's it's a great area to check out if your in the area.

Ashwin Chandra

Wanna feel Zen? This is the place. A garden so well manicured, with lush variety of flora, beautiful streams of water flowing, koi fish and just the beautiful stepped pathway, which makes the entire experience very serene. Oh and if you are have a fan of the Umami flavor, you have to end your tour at the Umami Cafe.

Cameron Haugen

What an amazing and beautiful place! Even in the middle of winter the gardens are breathtaking. A must see if you’re visiting the area. Also, check out there new tea house. Amazing tasting food and drinks.

Andy Kaminski

Beauty. Grace. Precision. Elegant. Portland Japanese Garden. You know what those all have in common? They all describe the Portland Japanese Garden.

Vicki Wilson

The Garden sits nestled in the hills of Portland overlooking the city from Oregon's iconic Washington Park. Once you're inside there is a long walk up the path to reach the upper level where the garden walking paths begin then once up there relax and soak up the beauty of the serene surroundings... except during our visit at Memorial Day weekend it wasn't as tranquil as I wanted it to be... too many people!! Ugh! There are lots to see in the 12-acre garden but the bonsai displays had only a few trees, I was unimpressed. There are a lot of narrow pathways but is amazing how horticulturists can accomplish a lot in a small space. The Zen Garden was really nice and I enjoyed the koi pond... the koi fishes are huge that they almost look like colorful catfish!

Bill Heller

Surprised by lack of parking and overall lack of organization. Just driving up to it is an adventure with people walking in the streets and J-walking. Too many people and lines WAY too long. Didn't even make it into the garden, perhaps I'll try again during the week and see if it's a little better. UPDATE: Going during the week if you can is much better. A beautiful place to be once you get in!

Prahlad Kilambi

Best Japanese Garden in the US! Painstakingly curated, expansive and yet feels natural. Classic tea house with the veranda opening to views of Mt. Hood recreates views of Mt. Fuji beautifully. Seasonal changes keep the garden fresh and unique and the international Rose test Garden next door is an added bonus when visiting.

Nate VanderVeen

One of the best Japanese gardens I have been too. Beautifully laid out and maintained. It's so well done it's is to forget you are even in Portland.

Ryan

A great place to walk around on a nice day. Lots to see

Nicole Smith

Our family of 4 visited this garden on 6/6/2019 and we thought it was a beautiful zen like spot where we could have spent half the day relaxing. I was pleased to see that they had a gift shop and was looking forward to visiting it after walking thru the garden. My complaint comes with a gift shop employee (tall, thin, brown hair young woman) who literally followed me around the TINY store. I am not one who ever claims to get followed in stores and I’ve only been followed twice in my entire life. This place was the third. At first I wasn’t sure, so I texted my husband that I was pretty sure I was being followed. My husband (who is European) stood near the jewelry counter and would text me directions like... “walk to your right. Stop. Go to the left.” Sure enough everywhere I went there she was fiddling with trinkets and readjusting things that didn’t need it. My husband texted me “yes she’s definitely following you. Let’s go!!” Quite disappointing that she was very focused on me (a legitimate shopper) while somebody else could have been slipping stuff in their bag.

Mel Law

There was a line to get tickets but it went by quickly. I was going to order tickets online while in line to shorten the trip but an employee said I'd still have to wait so I didn't. I'm not sure if there are special accommodations for anyone with physical disabilities but you have to walk up a hill to see the gardens. Everything there was so beautiful. Loved the little water features, the changing leaves, views of the city, and how well kept everything was. Very tranquil and definitely worth the $17!

Richard Blanchard

Beautiful gardens. Very calming, a nice oasis in the middle of the city. A must see if you are visiting.

Elizabeth Glau

Beautiful. #1 attraction in Portland so there are too many people.

Kevin Hoover

Had a great time with family from out of town and loved the “new” gardens as we had not seen the renovations until now. Got there just as they opened, so had the place to ourselves for the first half hour. The improvements and upgrades were nice and other than missing the colors we see in the spring we enjoyed the experience. A “must see” for visitors as well as locals who have not been there for a while.

Margaret Kreder

Really beautiful place to go and visit. The garden itself is lovely and they also have cultural exhibits and classes in some of the buildings. Visitors should be aware though that not all paths are wheelchair accessible, though they do have quite a large flat garden area. The entrance fee is also fairly high.

marj1st

I spent time in Japan many years ago and have developed an affinity for Japanese culture. Having a very late flight and nothing to do, I decided to visit this wonder. I am so impressed by the meticulousness with which they maintain these gardens. It was incredibly hot the afternoon I was there. An attendant came into the line and checked my bag for me to pick up when I finished. You walk the trail to the top and start your self guided meandering there. It all circles back around, so most of it doesn't matter which way you go. Make sure you visit everything. It's worth exploring every nook and cranny. The tea garden is gorgeous. The koi are so big, so mesmerizing and serene. Stop and rest at the waterfall pond before wandering into the little stone and wooden pathways of the natural garden. There are so many little hidden treasures. I found a gravity fountain by the "klunk" sound the bamboo made when it became over filled with water. The gift shop is worth a visit. There are things for every budget level and they have some really unique items. Take your time and savor this experience!

Karma Maxwell

I went here with my fiance as well as my best friend and her fiance. It was beautiful and serene. We spent about three hours there and could have easily spent longer there. The gift shop was full of lovely items which I had to get a few of. There is a tea house which I heard good things about but did not have time to step in to. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here.

Travis Ernst

Bigger is not better. Why did we build a massive structure in a garden? They put in a fence that is so ugly our baby president would like it. We lost access to a beautiful trail that connected the Rose Garden to the Wildwood. Washington Park is the crown jewel of Portland. The fence that is adjacent to the new trail is not improvement and should be removed. The public should get access to the trail that is above new building. How is that trail too sketchy but one on the edge of a cliff with the ugly fence okay for the public?

srfna

A lovely place to roam and sit in pictoresque corners. I especially enjoyed the amazing bonzai selection and exploratory pathways. It was not as big and peaceful as I expected. There were a lot of people filing around. The teahouse being reservation only and full was a bit of a disappointment as we were looking forward to some Japanese delicacies and a moment to sit and enjoy a tea with a view.

Duke Ellington

Absolutely one of my favorite places in Portland. The most authentic garden outside of Japan. The garden is located very close to the city, yet the feeling of tranquility is something you can get nowhere else. They have a variety of scenery and occasional exhibitions/cultural displays for people to enjoy. The koi are beautiful and every season provides a different experience for viewing the garden. I highly recommend going here during the week at a time where there are little visitors. It gives you ample time to explore the area and a real sense of piece and quiet despite the closeness of the city.

Jacob Werner

Nice little chill place. Relaxing atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

Yael Davidowitz-Neu

Stunning gardens, feels like you are in another world. At $17 admission is a little pricey for an activity where you are unlikely to spend more than an hour, but worth it.

Edwin Park

A cute place to take pictures in Portland! Definitely made me feel like I was in Japan and loved the ambiance and the serenity of the place. Definitely a must see if your visiting!

Narotham a

Very nice beautiful garden. Very peaceful feeling. Small and nice garden. If you go nice and slowly it won’t take more than 1:30 to see the garden. There nice in house store where you can buy not just souvenirs and but also nice artistic things

Sitha Ath

It's a really nice place. We went in December and of course it was cold and we didn't get a chance to enjoy the whole park cause it started to rain. Overall it is a nice place to visit. Summer would be a good time to visit.

April VaiVai

Very tranquil experience. I stayed there for hours. The stroll is very scenic ....plush tall greenery and trees. The sounds of the waterfalls and water flow....and their Koi pond fish were spectacular. I would definitely recommend this as a view place to see while in Portland.

Mary AtSBUX

1st Sunday of the month Bank of America card holders get free admission. Make sure to bring your card because the staff is not very accommodating and will not accept the app with an ID. I spent less than 20 minutes inside the Garden. It is quite small. The beauty of Washington Park all around it is just as beautiful and free. #wasteoftwentydollars

David Ickes

Amazing place but pretty disappointed I paid full price for admission when a few of exhibits are closed. They should be giving discounts on tickets while parts of the park are undergoing renovations / updates.

Adam Mamrak

It's a typical over-hyped Portland place that everyone loves because everyone else loves it. It's pretty inside, but not worth the high price. It was more crowded than the surrounding Washington Park and that was free. We strolled through the whole thing in less than an hour.

Big E 007

Beautiful garden, quiet, good place for a small hike and admire the view, awesome view of Mt. Hood on clear days, small discounts with proof or student ID, pricey entrance, small garden, and right next to the Oregon zoo.

Kevin Woods

This is the only true Japanese Garden in the area. Plenty of street parking that is free and metered parking. The venue is not that big. I feel like I was able to see all the exhibits in an hour or two. Very calm and relaxing place.

Chapo

Complete disappointment. I all through whole garden in matter of minutes although views were spectacular it was crowded and could not find parking for my life.

Starfleet Admiral

Absolute rip off. It costs $18.95 for an adult to go in. For $30 I can take a car with 7 people into Yosemite for a week. For $25 I can take a car with 7 people into Crater Lake for a week. What arrogance must this place have to think this outrageous price is justified? Avoid.

Laura Meng

It'll never cease to amuse me that when you type japanese garden dot org it directs you to one in Portland. Not bad at all. PNW weather & flora is a bit less delicate than most of Japan but it's nice inside. What I like the most is one of the Koi fish in the pond. It's totally white and got a big red dot on its head, literally looked like a Japanese flag. I thought that was pretty neat. That was at least 4 or 5 years ago and I don't know if it's still alive anymore. That was a good fish to have in the pond .

Ozzie Rodriguez

Wouldn't go here again, personally as an out of state visitor the green areas and parks that are not in the garden were equally as beautiful to the Japanese garden. So for the price I might not recommend others to go see this area. If it was free I'd be way more appreciated. I kept thinking is this view worth the ticket price. I will say though that it was very well shaded

Amanda McCavitt

Very beautiful garden, full of pleasant surprises. Koi ponds, rock pathways, serenity rock gardens all to explore.

Rudy Hice

Serene/GREEN/lush/tranquil. Needed this gardeners eye candy to help heal me from daily nonsense.

Ruth Ann McDonald

Beautiful place. Kids had so much fun, especially with the little scavenger hunt map for kids.

Drea Straw McVay

A beautiful place, but incredibly over-priced. I’ve been to Japanese gardens in other cities that were just as lovely, or more so, for far less money. The tea house was also quite small with a limited tea menu and the tiny patio was full, so we left. The gardens were beautiful, but for the cost of nearly $20 a person, we won’t be back.

Ed Goebel

Few places are more quiet and relaxing. Fantastic spot for meditation. Despite a relatively small footprint, the design inspires a sense of sprawl.you feel deeply lost in the woods in the best way.

michelle mats

Beautiful grounds. Definitely a tourist spot. Some items are WAY overpriced. They also do not serve plain white rice. Everything is pre-made and includes egg. Plain gohan is a staple in Japan, not fried rice.

Chris Hale

Maybe it's nice in the summer or another season, but I was pretty disappointed. As I was walking in, I heard a couple say, "I guess that was it" which confirmed the 1 star reviews. It's small and not worth the $17 bucks PLUS the cost to park. It's OK, but definitely not worth the price.

Todd Seemann

Really enjoyed it. Well manicured and very peaceful

Peter Carlesimo

It’s hard to find a place to begin to describe the full scope of greatness that the Gardens offers. It is a blend of incredible trees, bushes, paths, sculptures, water features, and serenity. You can come to traverse the grounds or simply sit and escape in meditation or thought. A must see....over and over. With its central location it’s very easy to get to. Wear some comfortable shoes since you the opportunity to take time and stroll around the grounds. All who wander are not lost.

Jonathan Remple

Heavenly transportation into Japanese culture and design. Marvelous.

Sarah Dunlap

Beautiful place. Highly recommend if you are in Portland.

Jonathan Hancock

Beautiful garden, personally I think it's a little less pretty than the Chinese garden downtown, but it's much quieter and more peaceful. I happened to be there as they were doing a kind of "concert" in the art museum, which was a treat. Definitely worth the trek out.

Chris Savio

It's about forty-five minutes to an hour worth of garden and paths to see if you really take your time and look at everything. I enjoyed it. Very beautifully maintained and the staff was incredibly friendly. History of Manga exhibit right now was interesting to see.

Andrew Cartwright

I'm still at this place, sitting here under a roof, and its my first time and I haven't actually walked around too much yet. But I wanted to say that I just love being here. Worth every penny.

Andrea Zotelli

Very beautiful and pleasant place to visit in Portland, OR. Big area, the park is divided in many levels, which makes the place even more beautiful and enjoyable. The building where the gift shop is located is an amazing architecture. The coffee shop offers delicious Japanese cakes and treats. A short version of the "tea ritual" is presented everyday. Very nice place to go if you're visiting Portland, OR.

Spencer Biddle

Tranquil. Arcadian. Serene. This place is rad. From bonsai trees to zen gardens to the most epic Japanese maples and huge koi fish. What a special place. Different times of year lead to different aspects!

Sam Bartleman

Very beautiful and peaceful garden. Has a few neat exhibits as well. Good photo ops if you come mid-morning to mid-afternoon, otherwise it’ll be pretty dark. Neat views of Portland too.

Mikey McAllister

The grounds are very well maintained and have friendly people working or volunteering. Always a peaceful place to put your hands behind your back and stroll through the small trails.

Thatcher Olson

Very beautiful and serene. The gardens are immaculate and very well taken care of. My only complaint is that it is much smaller than anticipated. The code of $18 is a little steep for something you can easily walk in 15 minutes and struggle to spend more than an hour or two in, even with stopping to enjoy the serenity.

Kimberly Raber

This is definitely a beautiful and well maintained location. They also have guided tours and presentations throughout the day that allow visitors to fully appreciate these gardens. Unfortunately, people suck. If you seek quiet reflection, take a hike up Wildwood trail or become a member of the garden and get in before they open. Because once the general public floods in, all bets are off. People having cell phone conversations on speakerphone, feral children running around screaming, a moustached employee running around screaming at the children for running around screaming; these are just a few of the things I experienced on my visit. It is definitely an experience, but not one I wish to have again.

Katie Weinberg

Beautiful, excellently manicured Japanese Garden. You will not find a petal out of place! Really beautiful in all the seasons. Lots of tourists posing for Instagram photos, though, and probably breaking the rules.

Shrisada Read

It's one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan! They have newly remodeled and expanded parts of the garden and now have a lovely little tea house. The garden itself has not changed. The entrance or walk way up the hill to the Garden has improved. You can also take the bus ride up the hill if you have difficulty getting around. It can get very crowded certain times of the day in certain times of the year. I recommend middle of the week first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. It is great to visit this Garden during rainy season as it also has less. As well as it's very beautiful when it's raining. Often there are Live Events or Museum type in formation about history and displays. On clear days you'll get some great views of the city and the local mountains. If you are visiting Portland it is a must-see!

Blair Wright

Amazing gardens, its gorgeous and I was lucky enough to be there in the fall when the Japanese maples were in full color. Great place to get away and relax. Well maintained and easy to navigate. Also has ample parking

David Oppenheimer

The Portland Japanese Garden had an air of serenity and peace despite the crowds. The gardens are expertly maintained by an army of gardeners. A tremendous amount of love, work, and care is clearly present in this space. Luscious textures are everywhere and will leave you with a sense of awe. If you have time, be sure to try the tea at the on-premises tea house.

Beth Sarmiento

Beautiful place to visit, so relaxing! We enjoyed being so fully immersed in such gorgeous gardens. We are really looking forward to going back.

Alex Brown

So beautiful. We went in the winter and it was gorgeous so I can’t imagine how beautiful it would be in the spring and summer. The gift shop has some really cute things and it’s just overall a gorgeous and extremely well maintained space.

Aditi Durga

This place is beautiful. Perfect spot for a Sunday Afternoon walk.

Ellary Deferrers

What a total surprise this was to find such an exquisite collection of bonsai on display. They are on loan from various people and truly worth the visit to see them alone. The gardens are beautifully laid out and maintained and we were lucky to be visiting on a gorgeous sunny day. We have been to the gardens in San Francisco and found these of equal to them if not better. We did stop and have tea in their tea house and that was the only disappointment. Very expensive for the tiny cup of tea served but still had to try one.

Michele Spangler

Although very crowded (what isn't around here anymore?), there is a peaceful way about the Japanese Garden. If you can find a slower day to go, it can be very serene and calming just to walk around here.

Itzik Kent

An amazing garden that you must visit if you get to Portland. It puts you in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere set by the beauty, aesthetics and style of the Japanese way of gardening. Every plant is personally being taken care of. Paved walking trails take you along a breathe taking mix of colors, water streams, wood structure and shapes that are everywhere. The site includes also typical Japanese houses and Japanese souvenir shops. Parking is available near by, but is limited in busy hours. Do not miss it

Clark

The Portland Japanese Garden is such a gem in the landscape of Portland attractions. The grounds are immaculate, and the whole garden is very well designed. It seems to me, like they are always doing things to improve the space. It’s a great place to take visitors from out of town, and the water-features add much character to the grounds. I will go back many many times. Go check it it now. There’s still lots of color on the trees.

Joseph Harmon

Wow. This blows the SF Japanese garden out of the water. The membership is a great deal if you’re local, especially with the Bamboo sushi discount.

Le Git

Pretty nifty area. Superb view of the city. I wouldn't spend more than an hour here as there's only so much to do and see. But the aesthetics are amazing.

David Cain

Peaceful, beautiful, meditative spot. Hard to believe it’s so close to downtown Portland!

Dilan Zumach

This place was neat. Liking walking right into a Japanese movie. They had a neat building and some great landscaping. It was pretty expensive for the size of it. I imagine it takes a lot of people to keep going though. If your really into Japanese landscapes and buildings it’s worth checking out. Otherwise, I’d try and find a groupon or something.

Kip Fletcher

I’ve been here a few times through the years but most recently for a special wine and sushi tasting. It was really beautiful, even in the middle of the night. Spectacular place.

Amy Twede

A beautiful place full of the juxtapositions of tradition and modernism. My favorite place was Heavenly Falls. We also got to see a traditional tea ceremony and it was peaceful and illuminating. Worth the visit.

Daisy GN

The garden during the winter is still nice but it's a hell of a lot better when the flowers are blooming. For just under $40 I would just wait til after winter. Still not bad but not great. Feel as if there should be a little more to attract people around the Winter. Mt.Hood and other smaller trails are better to go to especially if you're out of town. This place is good if you're looking for something quick to do with the family, not too long and still nice. The zoo is nearby as well.

Clinton Lewis

So far the best Japanese garden I have been to outside of Japan. It was great and reminded me a lot of my time I had spent in Kyoto and the gardens there. Nice a big, I rarely had people over my shoulder which was nice. I didn't get the feeling of being rush by people on the path. If I lived in Portland I would get a membership here easily.

Danny

Nice but way overpriced. Gardens in Japan are better and $5. This was small and $20.

Mr.Jingos Smiles

While this garden was not as big as I was expecting, it was much more beautiful than anticipated. We did face a large crowd while we were there, and felt a bit forced out of everyone else’s way, but the experience was overall quite nice. I hope to go back soon and spend more time taking it all in. One trip is not enough!

Artem Metelskiy

Awesome beautiful garden. I think the admission price should be lower

Ellia Wang

A very peaceful place to visit, the garden is well designed/ maintained!

plshen13

One of the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. It offers distinctive views of the four seasons. In addition, the garden offers glimpse of Japanese culture through its many exhibitions and culture events. The garden is also a great place for meditation as well as photography lovers.

Jafar Eslami

It's beautiful, but ticket is pricy -$19-, the lady of the tour just was talking at entrance to make it an hour tour.

William Knapp

Very pretty and relaxing. Loved reading the history of the place.

Julia Chen

I was skeptical about paying money to visit a Japanese garden. But Portland Japanese Garden was so different. The architecture was amazing. The tea tasting is a must-try. This garden puts all other Japanese gardens in the US to shame.

Ingo Schobert

Lovely garden, not very big, offering tranquility when visited in particular when visited in non-peak hours. Best time of the year to visit is when the Japanese Maple trees are bright red, making for a stunning contrast to the lush green of the other plants and mosses.

Anabel Cuenco

After living in and visiting Japan I can say this place does seem very authentic . For reference, I've also visited the Japanese friendship garden in San Diego (another pricy city) which I felt was very comparable to this place but nearly 30% off the cost with more promos. Enjoyed strolling through but wish more things were in bloom. I agree with other users that pricing should be lower for the off season as it did feel a little anticlimactic and we weren't sure if we were done at the end of it. For the price we paid for our large family, I didn't feel like we got our money's worth on this particular day which is why this experience for me was an average 3 star rating. However, customer service was awesome and grounds were well-kept which elevates this an extra star. I'm happy for this business that other customers do seem satisfied with their experience here because it really is a beautiful place, but for any budget-conscious tourists, I would suggest doing your research to get your money's worth before you visit.

lynn faller

Had the privilege to share this experience with my little. We had a great time walking the grounds and observing the landscape. Great photo opportunities. The only downfall is that it is quite expensive as we were done in about and hour and a half. Parking was convenient and was easy to use.

Ned Bighorn

It is simply beautiful. It is also very peaceful. The gardens are maintained excellently. There also many great events with in depth information. Don't forget about it for a winter walk

Amanda Sargeant

Absolutely love the Portland Japanese Gardens. Been there two time already, and enjoyed it there both times. Plan on going more. Its so peaceful and serene up there.

humberto a

I was there today and no water running at all. Next time tell the people that. When you guys clean better close. I was there last year to but my experience this year is to bad. I hope you guys do something better.

Meagan Romo

An escape. Stays true to the landscape. I've been to a few Japanese inspired gardens and this one is by far the most authentic. Truly a beautiful serene place.

Sasha Cruz

came here for a tinder date, nice spot. lots to see. i took maybe 400 photos on my date here. i throughly enjoyed it.

Simon

Such an amazing place. It is a really cool experience. The main issue is the price. It is so ridiculously expensive. The garden is beautiful but not that big. They should really drop the price. I don't regret going, but I probably wouldn't go again just because of the price.

David King

A beautifully serene setting that envelopes visitors in peace as you wander amongst the gardens. The staff are very courteous and helpful. But get there early for a park. You will need a minimum of an hour.

christopher tapanen

What a jewel in the heart of Portland! I went to the garden this time to see an exhibit of manga work by the legendary artist Hokusai. The garden is truly unique in that it encompasses not one, but five styles of Japanese gardening. I have been coming here since I was a kid and the beauty and harmony of this place is timeless ❤️

Alfreda Cutler

Absolutely beautiful and tranquil Japanese garden. So many unique places to sit and soak in the beauty. Despite being busy, it was still quiet and there were places to pull aside and have a private moment. Very well maintained. Took about 2 hours to get through the garden. The tea house was also lovely but would recommend making a reservation or getting on the wait list before you start walking around.

Andy J Kasper

It was a nice place to walk around for 45 minutes and see gentle waterfalls, goldfish ponds, Japanese trees and plants and other various buildings and stone pagodas.

Daryl Lowenstein

Overpriced, Japan is better. Regarding the copy and paste reply from the owner: with the amount of traffic at the gardens, I'm sure this place pulls in 3-5 million dollars a year and for the love of God, it does not cost that much to maintain such a small place. I'm sure the founding members are pulling in a substantial management fee for this "non-profit"

Andrew Freeman

Absolutely gorgeous architecture and landscaping. I love how the classical Japanese designs were incorporated into the modern buildings. A great place to relax and spend a serene afternoon.

Heart

This is one of my favorite parks on the wets coast. It's beautiful. Not a huge park but that's ok because there is plenty to see. It's a very peaceful escape from the city. great view of the city as well. I have not ate at the new cafe yet.

Heart

This is one of my favorite parks on the wets coast. It's beautiful. Not a huge park but that's ok because there is plenty to see. It's a very peaceful escape from the city. great view of the city as well. I have not ate at the new cafe yet.

Ben Campbell

Full of beautiful gardens and paths. Designed really well and clearly maintained and perfected continuously. I'm glad I was able to make it while I was here because it is a very nice place to enjoy and spend some time.

Jodi T

A personal favorite offering miles of gorgeous gardens, winding paths & bridges over extended koi ponds. Weekend schedules offer Japanese tea ceremony, geisha fan dance & Japanese art. Highly recommend for an afternoon picnic in the serene setting.

Olga Dmitryuk

one of the best gardens we have ever visited, so impressed by both landscape and architecture

Jason Bregman

This has to be one of the best botanical gardens in the United States. I visited today and was simply blown away with the entire place. I have studied landscapes and gardens my entire career and I can say this place is a true 'must visit' gem. The gardens are unmatched, the maintenance is near perfect, the woodwork and masonry details are incredible.

Christine Huang

Nice day in a unique garden. My mother loved it and quite enjoyed the tea at the cafe.

Alex Jepsen

These gardens were so peaceful and calming. It was a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the nice Portland weather.

Audra Nelson

The garden is absolutely beautiful! My boyfriend and I had a lot of fun walking through. Many fascinating and picture-worthy exhibits to see. Everything is very well kept and the paths are nicely manicured and not dirty whatsoever. The ticket was a little expensive but it was worth it.

Nick Sullivan

They did a great job here renovating it and a fun place to walk around. It gets really crowded on the weekend so get here early. The tea house is also nice and a good spot to unwind.

Eric Talaska

$19 plus $10 fee if you use a tripod plus $2 per hour to park if you can find a spot to park to see an overcrowded garden is one the top five most unreasonable admission fees I have ever seen in my life. You either have to be a fool or very rich for this to make any sense. "Response from Owner" is misleading: The "free tour" is only after you pay the crazy admission fee!

Chris Sotraidis

Beautiful place. I recommend arriving early on a weekday to get a parking spot and get a ticket. Agreed, parking is about as bad as conceivably possible. I think the initial plan was for like 10 people to visit a day? The garden is relatively tiny and the people visiting are many. Don't expect to have much tranquility or peace while visiting. It's certainly designed peacefully, but this place was never designed for the volume of people that are here everyday. It's more like a garden conveyer belt. That said, the views and the garden are absolutely worth it. It's just not to scale for the demand/volume. Maybe member nights are where it's at!

Adam.LaDawn McNutt

Overpriced and overcrowded. It’s a HIKE just to get in, not exactly relaxing. Couldn’t enjoy any exhibit because you’re being pushed along by throngs of people. We couldn’t even walk around the gift shop it was so crowded. There is no tea house, as described. A bottle of water was $5.00. Rather disappointed ☹️. We left aggravated and stressed out. And just because you’re a park doesn’t mean you can compare the admission price to public parks getting government funding! Ug!

Erika Keene

What a wonderful, beautiful, peaceful place. Definitely a must on the go to list.

Zachary Dickerson

Got to go with early morning fog covering most of the gardens. Was beautiful with the fall colors in the trees. If you can get in just as the garden opens you will be able to experience it with fewer people. There were a number of disgruntled photographers scattered across the gardens while we were there. Favorite portions were the flat garden and the bonsai displays. Would recommend to any nature lover.

James Smith

Typically the gardens and green homes are beautiful, and our guide gave such a lot of good insight. Will definitely be re-occurring, probably to see your Rose garden bloom within June!

Ignacio Ottati

It is worth the visit! The price per adult is almost $19, but what you get to see is pretty cool and while you are there you definitely relax and get a different vibe. Everything is very well kept and not extremely busy.

Kard Fenty

Such a beautiful, peaceful place to walk through and enjoy! Worth stopping by.

Steve Iannelli

A magical place, well worth the price of admission. Something about it makes you slow down and just enjoy every sight and sound. Expertly curated with beautiful scenery. And the koi are the biggest I've ever seen. Also, noticed a woman in a wheelchair at every location, which says the handicapped accessibility is great given the changing altitude of the garden.

Franco Ooi

Get here early! We got there at around 10am in a Saturday and it was crowded yet. It is a rather big park with beautiful, serene setting. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fat koi’s swimming in the water. Around $20/adult. Short distance walk to the rose garden (free!) after this

Hope Williams

Loved this tranquil garden.

Jeff F

A wonderfully beautiful and serene place. One of the nicest japanese gardens outside of Japan. Very peaceful on a winter day with a light rain

Adam

This was one of my wife's and I placed to go on our list when visiting the PNW, and we absolutely loved it. We did capture some amazing pictures, however you should also just try to sit/stand in a non-popultated area and just enjoy nature at it's finest. No pictures, just really take in the beauty of the area.

R. Lee Donaldson

This was an amazing experience. I have been to many gardens, but nothing as spectacular as this place. It was just absolutely breathtaking. Visiting here does require some mobility, so if you can handle going up and down slops and stairs, this activity unfortunately is not for you. Also, due to the wetness of the location, I would recommend shoes that are slip resistant. Basically, walking shoes would be best for a visit here. An umbrella might be good as well, since it might drizzle a bit from time to time depending on the time of year for your visit and weather conditions. We visited in the early afternoon, but I think it would be most pleasant to visit in the early morning when it is still foggy and misty with dewdrops on everything. Also, there might be less people disrupting the beautiful tranquility of well planned garden. Everything was so perfect and you kind of forget for a moment were you really are and get a strong feeling you are in a distant land. The blend of nature and structures were so well balanced with the backdrop of the surrounding woods the isolated this Shangri-La of Japan. I would have to say that this is a must do when in Portland and would gladly go again when visiting next time.

Karan Bhansali

Don't try climbing the hill - take a car. It's very calm & peaceful - the artwork & architecture is pretty interesting - would recommend staying for a demonstration if you want to get your money's worth - admission fee is $18.95.

Jeff Tong

Such beautiful and tranquil place. I so happy I went here with my wife. The gift store is too. They telly maintain the gardens and also staff is really friendly. Trees are beautiful and waterfall is amazing! Great little walk and can get here by public transport. Must see!

Judy Williams

Beautiful! A lot of walking, many steps but so peaceful. Take your time here!

Aditya Solge

Great place for nature lover I visited this garden with my family and we absolutely loved it. Only reason for 4 star is the entrance fee, $18 seems a bit high and also $10 tripod fee is not justified. Update: I’m glad to hear back from the Portland Japanese Garden with my concern around the entrance fee. Now that I know the reason, I’m updating my review to be 5 star instead of 4.

HH Heng

This is a very beautiful and scenic garden. Well maintained.

Andrew

Beautiful and serene, impeccably maintained. A great escape from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.

Cari Harris-Keith

Very beautiful. Would go again