Moments of Serenity: Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden is one of the most tranquil places in a city full of serene landscapes. Designed by Professor Takuma Tono in 1967, this haven is located up the hill from the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. The Garden is divided into 5 sub-gardens on 5.5acres: the Strolling Pond Garden, the Natural Garden, the Sand and Stone Garden, the Flat Garden, and the Tea Garden. The east veranda behind the tea house has a view of Mount Hood in the distance that resembles Mount Fiji. The Japanese Garden in Portland is known to be one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. The Garden is currently adding three acres to include a chabana garden, ticketing pavilion, garden house, tea cafe, cultural center, and a gift store. 

View of the Strolling Pond Gardens 

Two bronze sculptures of cranes with a real bunny hopping by

Zig-Zag Walkway surrounded by irises and waters filled with Koi fish in the Strolling Pond Garden 

Strolling Pond Garden: One of the most stunning views in the Japanese Garden. Dense trees rolling up the hillside with a cascading waterfall 

Sand and Stone Garden or karesansui (dry garden) was imported to Japan in the 14th to 15th century. Yohaku-No-bi ("The beauty of blank space") is an important idea in karesansui. 

Several alcoves allow visitors to observe many different views of the Japanese Garden

Flat Garden: Trees in the Garden represent the Four Seasons

Exhibit of Ryan Neil's Work: American Bonsai

Hope you're able to travel up to Portland soon!

The Bayou Botanist

Singapore: Chinese and Japanese Gardens

Lily Pads in the Japanese Garden with a view of the Chinese Padoga in the distance 

If you want to explore a park in Singapore a little off the beaten path, I would suggest the Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden in Jurong East. Both Gardens are built on artificial islands in Jurong Lake (previously Jurong River) and are connected by a 13 arch bridge 'Bai hong Qiao' or 'the white rainbow'. The Chinese Garden features a Pagoda, a stone boat, a Garden of Chinese Zodiacs, a stunning Bonsai Garden of over 2,000 trees, and a tea house. Inspired by Japanese Gardens from the 14th-17th century, the Japanese Garden has fewer obvious attractions as its neighbor but is meant to be a place of tranquility and contemplation. Here visitors can enjoy lily ponds, stone walkways, a traditional resting house, and arching red bridges.

Everyone enjoys the Japanese garden; two turtles sunbathing; the Turtle and Tortoise Museum is on the grounds; you should also keep your eyes open for the large monitor lizards that like to lounge in the gardens

Multiple bridges cross over the Lily Pond  

Stunning Bonsai Garden in the Chinese Gardens; opened in 1992; 2,000 Bonsai trees were imported from China and other countries 

Bonsai Garden; little glimpses into a number of 'rooms' full of bonsai trees on pedestals

Bonsai Garden: a sneak peek into another part of the garden

Bonsai Garden: Bonsai trees growing from stones meant to resemble mountainous landscapes 

In the Garden of Abundance: 12 Chinese Zodiac animal sculpture, a sun dial, and pomegranate trees 

7- story Pagoda in the style of the Ling Ku Temple 

A detailed look at the exterior of the Pagoda

Looking up the heart of the Pagoda 

A view from the seventh eave of the Pagoda 

Tip: The Gardens are easily accessible from the MRT (Chinese Garden stop) and can be combined with a visit to the Jurong Bird Park a mere 8 minute drive away. Gardens are open daily from 6am-11pm.

Enjoy your green adventures!
xoxo,
The Bayou Botanist