The Portland Japanese Garden has recently undergone a large and lengthy expansion project. The project’s concept was designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma known for designing the $1.5 billion National Stadium for the 2020 Olympic Games. The addition includes the hilltop Cultural Crossing Village which consists of three steel-and-glass pavilions linked by a large courtyard near the shuttle stop to the main garden. These building will host Kabuki theater performances, art shows and gardening workshops. There is also a new library, administration offices, a tea cafe and an expanded gift shop.
Garden additions by curator Sadafumi Uchiyama include three distinct new landscapes: a moss hillside garden, bonsai terrace and chabana (tea flower) garden.
This weekend will be a good time to explore the new additions, May 7th is the Children’s Day Celebration. Children’s Day is observed in Japan as a day to honor all children in the hopes that they will grow up healthy and strong. Activities for the festival include origami helmet-making, a haiku scavenger hunt, Taiko drum performances, height measuring, a kid-friendly tea ceremony, and the Koi Parade.
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*image by Bruce Forster
