Celebrate Japanese New Year at Portland Japanese Garden

Photo by Jonathan Ley courtesy of Portland Japanese Garden

Celebrate Japanese New Year at Portland Japanese Garden. 

Nestled in Washington Park, Portland Japanese Garden has been a place of serenity and tranquility for more than 50 years. Explore the eight unique garden spaces, from lush greens to ponds to sand and stone. Each garden highlights unique aspects of Japanese garden history and design.

While you’re there, see the whole park aboard the free Washington Park shuttle. 

Here are the details about the garden’s Japanese New Year celebration.

Japanese New Year at Portland Japanese Garden

On Sunday, January 12, the garden invites you to kick off the year of the snake during O-Shogatsu, Japanese New Year. Celebrate the start of a new year and hope for happiness and prosperity in the months ahead.

For the celebration the garden is decorated in Kadomatsu, traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum branches. 

There will be special activities at the garden during the Japanese New Year celebration. Here’s the schedule:

• 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn how to paint a snake in the style of Sumi-e, Japanese brush painting, at the Yanai classroom.
• 10:30 a.m. Watch Portland Shishimai Kai perform the celebratory traditional lion dance of Tokyo, Edo Kotobuki Jishi.
• 11:30 a.m. Be enchanted by the double masked performance, Ryomen Odori.
• 1 p.m. Watch the second Portland Shishimai Kai performance of the celebratory traditional lion dance of Tokyo, Edo Kotobuki Jishi.

Also, Portland Coffee Roasters is serving complimentary coffee to visitors during the event.

The celebration is included in the Portland Japanese Garden admission price. Tickets are $21.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids ages 6-17. Kids 5 and under attend for free.

The Japanese New Year celebration is taking place Sunday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, visit Portland Japanese Garden’s website.

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