When His Excellency Nobuo Matsunaga, the former Ambassador of Japan to the United States, visited the Portland Japanese Garden, he proclaimed it to be “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.”

The Garden sits nestled in the West Hills of Washington Park overlooking the city and providing a tranquil, urban oasis for locals and travelers alike. Designed in 1963, it encompasses 12 acres with eight separate garden styles, and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood.

Japanese gardens have an ancient history influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. Upon entering a Japanese garden the hope is to realize a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility. Three primary elements are used in every Japanese garden design: stone, the “bones” of the landscape; water, the life-giving force; and plants, the tapestry of the four seasons.

The gardens are each asymmetrical in design and reflect nature in idealized form. Human scale is maintained throughout so that the visitor always feels part of the environment rather than being overpowered by it. This is a place to discard worldly thoughts and concerns and see oneself as a small but integral part of the universe.

Parks

Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden's headquarters in Portland, OR, United States

Stephen D. Bloom

Kathy Dunn Parmenter

Jason Sipe

Diane Freeman

The Operations and Visitor Relations Team at the Portland Japanese Garden is responsible for ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all guests. This team manages daily operations, coordinates events, oversees visitor services, and maintains retail outlets. They work collaboratively to uphold the Garden’s reputation for tranquility and authenticity while facilitating smooth administrative and logistical activities. Key roles include organizing volunteer programs, managing exhibitions, and fostering institutional partnerships to support the Garden's mission.

Operations and Visitor Relations Team

The Marketing and Communications team at the Portland Japanese Garden is responsible for promoting the garden's serene beauty and cultural significance to both local and global audiences. Their duties include developing strategic marketing campaigns, managing public relations, creating visually engaging content, and overseeing social media channels to enhance visitor engagement and drive attendance. Through effective storytelling and branding, they aim to highlight the garden as an unparalleled destination for peace, harmony, and cultural enrichment.

Marketing and Communications

The Gardening Team at the Portland Japanese Garden is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the beauty and authenticity of the garden's 12-acre landscape. This includes tending to the eight distinct garden styles, ensuring the health and aesthetics of plants, trees, and mosses, as well as managing water features and stone arrangements. Their efforts preserve the tranquility and harmony of the space, allowing visitors to experience the peace and beauty of a traditional Japanese garden.

Gardening Team

The Leadership Team at Portland Japanese Garden, comprising the Chief Development Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for steering the organization's strategic direction, ensuring financial stability, and spearheading development initiatives. This team works collaboratively to uphold the Garden's mission of providing a serene, authentic Japanese cultural experience, while fostering sustainable growth and community engagement.

Portland Japanese Garden

Org chart

Teams

Operations and Visitor Relations Team

Marketing and Communications

Gardening Team

Leadership Team

Offices

Portland Japanese Garden

Org chart

Teams

Operations and Visitor Relations Team

Marketing and Communications

Gardening Team

Leadership Team

Offices

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