Japanese Garden at Its Finest | Most Authentic in Portland,Oregon

The adventure began the day the significant other decided to take a plane to Portland since the free ticket was ready to expire from the Southwest airlines rewards and the destination could be crossed off the bucket list at the same time. Sounds like the makings of an excursion plan, I thought. At least that is the initial ingredients of a new excursion in this writer's household.

One specific destination on the bucket list was the Giant Redwoods along the California coastline. Yes, it would require some driving from Portland and staying the night in two locations, but the experience would be well worth the time spent on the road. The plan was coming together well. A whole day in the city of Portland was available to enjoy before our plane would board, what shenanigans could we get into in Portland on our last day. After doing a little research there was no problem filling day with potential sites to see. As a Master Gardener through the local Extension Service and avid fan of Japanese Gardens, the Japanese Gardens in Portland were definitely on the short list.

To my delight, I would later find out that these particular gardens have been proclaimed the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. They are nestled over 5.5 acres on the scenic hillside of Portland, Oregon. Though you will likely marvel over the pictures I've taken, I can tell you the experience of the gardens cannot be expressed in words. It is truly a spiritual experience with nature and the elements of air, water and earth. The essential Japanese attributes for authenticating gardens are all present and accounted for in hill gardens, dry gardens, and tea gardens as you will see from the pictures. Take special notice to the grounds in that they appear in a natural setting, though well manicured, when in fact it is all man-made and planned down to the last pebble.

All three styles of Japanese Gardens are found within the acreage of lush gardens in Portland. All were designed to provide balance of the positive and negative forces of nature. The opposites of Yin and Yang come into harmony within the garden environment which inspires the unity of the desires of the spirit and the mundane requirements of life. What a thrill for the experience of inner peace and the outer green thumb.

Tsukiyana Gardens(hill gardens) - these gardens emulate natural scenery with the creation of ponds, streams, hills, stones, trees, flowers, bridges and paths. The scales vary according the area available.

Karesansni Gardens (dry gardens) - used for Zen Buddhism meditation through abstract landscapes a rhythm is created using stone, gravel, sand, moss to represent mountains, islands, water and boats.

Chaniwa Gardens (tea gardens) - specifically built for tea ceremonies designed for aesthetic simplicity, this featured garden has typical stone pathways, stone lanterns and stone basins for purification before the ceremony.

 Some of the most beautiful evergreens I've experienced are miniature bonsai in botanical settings.  Years ago when vacationing in Epcot there was a Bonsai exhibit that will thrill my minds eye for life consisting of two to three foot versions of the Pin Oak tree, the Southern Magnolia, a lovely cedar and a few others that would take your breath away at the their magnificance. 

When I retire I plan to learn this magnificant art of training miniatures.  I am nurturing one small bonsai currently that put off lovely little white flowers just recently. 

Copyright Notice

The text and all images on this page, unless otherwise indicated, are by Lisa Storck who hereby asserts her copyright on the material. Should you wish to use any of the text or images feel free to do so with proper attribution and, if possible, a link back to this page. Thank you.

© Lisa Storck 2011