Portland’s Japanese Garden: A Fine (But Not Mind-Blowing) Escape

Went to Portland Japanese Garden hoping for Kyoto vibes—left feeling "meh". Here’s the tea: 🌿 The Experience: ✔ Peaceful, with classic elements: kare-sansui (dry garden), teahouse, koi ponds. ✔ Photogenic spots (bridges, maples), but crowded even on weekdays. ✔ Small—done in 1-2 hours max. ⚠️ Reality Check: • $22.50 ticket feels steep for the scale (after Kyoto, this is baby level). • Not bad, just… unremarkable. A "if you have extra time" activity. 🗓 Pro Tips: 1️⃣ Pair with the free International Rose Test Garden next door. 2️⃣ Weekday mornings = fewer photo bombers. 3️⃣ Manage expectations: It’s pretty, not transportive. #Portland #JapaneseGarden #TravelPNW #NotKyoto