New York Times Names Oregon Garden As One of the Most Serene in the U.S.

The Portland Japanese Garden has landed on The New York Times’ list of the most serene gardens in the country.

The garden was featured in the Times piece “7 Gardens So Serene, You Won’t Believe They’re in the City,” which highlighted it as a peaceful retreat where visitors can experience quiet serenity and nature without ever leaving the city.

Here’s what to know about the Portland Japanese Garden and why it was chosen by the New York Time

Why the New York Times picked Portland

Portland has long carried the nickname “City of Roses,” but according to the Times, the Japanese Garden gives that reputation some real competition.

The publication pointed to the garden’s meticulously maintained landscapes, traditional architecture and tranquil atmosphere as reasons it stands out among the country’s urban green spaces.

The garden sits on 12.5 acres above downtown Portland and includes bonsai collections, ornamental bridges, koi ponds, pagodas and several distinct garden spaces designed around traditional Japanese landscaping principles.

What NYT highlighted

The Times called out the garden’s seasonal displays, including its iris blooms, which typically peak in late June. Visitors were also directed to the Flat Garden and the Sand and Stone Garden, both examples of the karesansui, or dry landscape, style, built around raked gravel, stones and sculpted greenery rather than water features.

The garden’s Umami Café also got a mention for its panoramic views of Mount Hood, a draw for both out-of-town visitors and Portland locals looking for a quiet spot to take in the scenery.

Accessibility at the garden

The Times noted that the Portland Japanese Garden is largely accessible to guests using wheelchairs and strollers, though some areas remain difficult to reach because of the site’s natural, sloped terrain.

Several areas of the property meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, including the Flat Garden, Pavilion Gallery and Cultural Village, according to the Portland Japanese Garden.

The garden also runs a complimentary shuttle between the Welcome Center and the Cultural Village, giving visitors a way to skip the steepest walking paths.

Other Portland gardens worth a visit

While it didn’t get its own dedicated write-up, the nearby International Rose Test Garden was also mentioned in the Times piece as another standout stop for anyone exploring Portland’s public gardens.

The Portland Japanese Garden was one of seven gardens nationwide named in the roundup.

Others on the list included the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix and The Kampong in Miami.

Planning a visit

The Portland Japanese Garden is located at 611 SW Kingston Avenue in Portland’s Washington Park.

It’s open Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on Tuesdays.

Tickets are timed and released in 30-minute windows; admission runs $18.95 for adults, $16.25 for seniors 65 and older, $15.25 for students with ID, and $13.50 for youth ages 6-17. Kids 5 and under get in free.

Where to Stay

• The Heathman Hotel: A historic downtown Portland property about a 10-minute drive from the garden, known for its art collection and library of signed author copies. Compare room rates here.
• Sentinel Hotel: A boutique option in the heart of downtown, close to Washington Park’s MAX line for an easy trip up to the garden. Compare room rates here.
• Woodlark Hotel: A design-forward hotel in the Pearl District that is a short rideshare from Washington Park. Compare room rates here.

Vistors can browse even more places to stay near the Portland Japanese Garden here.