Explore Washington Park

Family Studio
2025-09-13 10:00 - 2025-09-14 17:30, 2025-09-20 10:00 - 2025-09-21 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Perfect for visitors of all ages, this dedicated space invites families to sit down, pick an activity, and linger during their visit to the Garden. Whether you’re folding intricate origami creations or coloring vibrant pages inspired by the beauty of the Garden, there’s something to spark creativity and joy. This interactive space offers a welcoming environment for all to explore their artistic side, providing a relaxing and engaging experience for both children and adults alike. Take a moment to unwind, create, and connect with nature through these hands-on activities.

Storytime in the Family Studio
2025-09-13 10:30 - 23:30 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join us on Saturday, September 13 at 10:30am for a special Children’s Storytime in the Family Studio! In celebration of the upcoming International Day of Peace (September 21), join us for a heartwarming storytime filled with tales of peace, friendship, and community. Perfect for families and young readers, this event features a selection of stories specially chosen for children aged 3 to 8, but all ages are welcome to enjoy the fun! Storytime will also include music and a fun hands-on activity. Come share in the joy of storytelling as we celebrate the values of peace and togetherness.

Rooted in Resilience: A Forest Therapy Walk for Those on a Healing Journey
2025-09-13 13:00 - 15:30 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Step into the quiet embrace of the forest for a gentle, restorative experience designed for those whose lives have been shaped by a healing journey—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Guided by the principles of Forest Therapy, this walk invites you to slow down, reconnect with your senses, and find comfort in the companionship of trees and the rhythms of the natural world. Through a series of mindful invitations, we’ll explore presence, connection, and the quiet strength that lives within and around us. Whether you’re caring for yourself or someone else, walking through a time of change, or simply seeking a moment of peace, you are welcome here—just as you are. All bodies, stories, and paces are honored. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Ohara School of Ikebana Show: Solo Exhibition by Master Professor Hirokazu Yokohigashi
2025-09-14 10:00 - 16:30 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Visit Portland Japanese Garden to see a special two-day ikebana exhibition featuring arrangements created by visiting Master Professor Hirokazu Yokohigashi in the Pavilion. The solo exhibition will showcase his exquisite artistry in arrangements made for participants attending the North American Ohara Teacher’s Association’s annual conference in Portland. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has been translated as “living flowers” or “giving life to flowers,” and is unique from other approaches to flower arrangement.

Public Tour: Conifer Collection
2025-09-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Explore one of Hoyt Arboretum’s three nationally-accredited collections with a knowledgeable guide. Public Tours will follow routes to highlight the Magnolia Collection in the spring, the Conifer Collection in the summer, and the Maple Collection in the fall. Public Tours are volunteer-led and run every Sunday at 11am through October. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center.

Tree Time! Preschool Walk
2025-09-15 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-09-22 10:00 - 11:15 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Tree Time! preschool walks are a safe and fun way to get outside with your little one. Come join us for a story and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum. We will use all of our senses to explore the natural surroundings and maybe even get our hands dirty! Staff and trained Arboretum volunteers will introduce you and your family to the plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more found at Hoyt Arboretum. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Tai Chi: Introduction to Better Balance
2025-09-15 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Many tai chi moves use images from nature—stable as a pine, flowing like a river, hands moving as clouds. Enjoying tai chi in the Arboretum allows us to connect deeply to that imagery. Each week we will explore movements which are relaxing, help improve focus and balance, and nurture rooted in the moment. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Healing Herbs of the Arboretum
2025-09-16 12:30 - 14:30 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
The plants that surround us are full of healing and nourishing properties, if we know where to look! Join community herbalist Missy Rohs for a stroll around the Arboretum to explore the medicinal trees, weeds, and native plants we encounter. You will talk about which parts to use and which plants to avoid. You may even discover a new use for a plant you thought you knew well! This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Qigong
2025-09-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-09-24 09:30 - 10:30 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Looking to slow down, breathe deeper, and move with intention? Join instructor Steven for a calming Qigong session beneath the canopy of the Hoyt Arboretum. Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is an ancient practice from Chinese medicine that combines gentle movements, breathwork, and mindful posture to cultivate a deep sense of inner peace. The low-impact meditative nature makes it great for all levels whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve balance, or feel a little more grounded. Come move with the rhythm of nature and leave feeling refreshed—body and mind. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Hike with Hoyt
2025-09-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Explore Hoyt Arboretum’s trails on a guided hike! Learn the trails, see the Arboretum’s highlights, and meet a new community of outdoor enthusiasts. Reserve your spot in-person the day of the hike at the front desk inside the Visitor Center. Each hike is limited to 15 participants. Hikers should expect to cover up to 4 miles on a mix of packed dirt, gravel, and paved trails. The hiking pace will be approximately 2 miles per hour. Hoyt Arboretum’s trails are well-graded but there is some elevation change (and occasionally stairs). Hikes will last 90 minutes to 2 hours and take place rain or shine.

Cultural Performance: Koto by Mitsuki Dazai
2025-09-17 13:15 - 14:15 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Enjoy a free koto performance by Mitsuki Dazai at 1:15pm at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.

Basic Principles: Tai Chi & Qigong
2025-09-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Join Jim Dalton Wednesday afternoons to continue your practice and advance your movements as you build the foundations of mind and body. Learn weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing stances, correct body alignment and posture, and follow coordinated movements. Slow, continuous, circular and flowing positions have been proven to improve mental well-being, balance, self-confidence, independence and overall health. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Saturday Crew
2025-09-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Volunteer to care for Hoyt Arboretum’s trees and trails with the Saturday Crew! With 189-acres and more than 6,000 trees along 12 miles of trails, volunteers are incredibly important to maintaining Hoyt Arboretum’s tree collection and trail system, and it’s a unique opportunity for volunteers to learn about and care for rare and unusual trees and plants from around the world. Stewardship crews occur rain or shine; volunteers should come dressed for the weather including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Volunteers should plan to bring water, snacks, and any other personal items they need onsite. No previous stewardship crew experience is required; training, tools, gloves, and volunteer parking passes are provided. Registration is required through the Hoyt Arboretum website.

Phone Photography: Make the Ordinary Extraordinary
2025-09-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
With skills learned in session one, you’ll shoot photos and work with them in your camera’s native editing tools. Then we will broaden your horizons with free and simple-to-use powerful mobile editing apps. Learn to adjust many elements that will transform your photos from “snapshots” to “works of art” that you will be proud to share. Color, composition and lighting are just a few of the basic requirements of a good photo. There are many other features in the editing software I share and demonstrate that will help you gain the ultimate control over your photo and provide a more artistic touch. And a couple of special effects will be demonstrated. All you’ll need to bring is a charged smart phone, your enthusiasm to learn new techniques and your desire to have fun. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Cultural Demonstration: Tea Ceremony
2025-09-20 13:15 - 14:15 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Portland Japanese Garden will offer a free public demonstration of Chado, the Way of Tea, in the Kashintei Tea House (in the Tea Garden) from 1:15 – 2:15pm. The Way of Tea is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening.

Modern Kintsugi Workshop with Emi Joyce
2025-09-21 09:30 - 12:30 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Portland Japanese Garden is partnering with Emi Joyce, a Portland-based kintsugi restorer and instructor, to provide two modern kintsugi workshops on September 21st. Kintsugi (金継ぎ, gold joinery) is the Japanese craft of repairing ceramics. In this centuries-old practice, fractures transform from hidden weak points into beautiful golden elements worth celebrating. The philosophy of kintsugi teaches us to embrace imperfections in our life and appreciate the beauty of human flaws. While the traditional method used by experts is challenging and requires cautious handling of materials like urushi lacquer, the “modern” kintsugi method uses accessible materials and is ideal for beginners.

Fall Equinox - Watercolor, Poetry, & Liminality
2025-09-21 10:30 - 13:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
As light softens and leaves change color, this workshop invites you to honor the equinox as a threshold. Through grounding practices and expressive watercolor, we’ll explore the theme of liminality – the space between – and give voice to our inner harvest with poetic reflection. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Extended Member Hours
2025-09-22 17:30 - 20:00 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Members are invited to experience the Garden during special seasonal extended hours. Take advantage of the longer evenings to enjoy the Garden, without the crowds. Tickets are required for this event. Please present your tickets in place of your member card at check-in. Members can enter as early as 5:30pm. Member Only Hours will begin at 6:30pm.

Sakura Society Reception
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Portland Japanese Garden invites Sakura Society to the second annual reception of the year on Monday, September 22 from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

Cultural Demonstration: Bonsai by Andrew Robson
2025-09-24 13:15 - 14:15 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join us for a bonsai presentation by Andrew Robson at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center from 1:15 – 2:15pm. Bonsai, literal translation tree-in-a-tray, is the art and science of miniature trees.

Golden Crane Society Opening Reception for Designing Nature: Elements of Harmony
2025-09-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join Portland Japanese Garden in celebrating the opening reception of Designing Nature: Elements of Harmony. Join us for a new style of Golden Crane Recognition Society event, with brunch bites and bubbly. This event is only available to those in the Golden Crane Recognition Society.

Forest Bathing
2025-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Experience a guided forest bathing walk through Hoyt Arboretum’s unique tree collection and forested areas. Forest Bathing offers many health benefits from stress relief to immune system and mood support. Forest therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and cognition. We build on those benefits and look beyond, to what happens when people remember that we are a part of nature, not separate from it, and are related to all other beings in fundamental ways. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.
