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. Make a stop at the World Forestry Center, which offers free admission on Sunday, January 8.

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

Japanese New Year at Portland Japanese Garden

On Sunday, January 8, the garden invites you to kick off the year of the rabbit 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:

• 10:45 and 11:45 a.m. Shishimai lion dance by PSU Taiko at the Pavilion East Veranda.
• 1:30 and 2:00 p.m.  Hatsugama the first tea ceremony of the year in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner.
• 1 to 3 p.m. Sumi-e Japanese brush painting. Learn how to paint a rabbit, in honor of the year of the rabbit.

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

The celebration is included in the Portland Japanese Garden admission price. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $13.95 for kids ages 6-17. Kids 5 and under attend for free.

The Japanese New Year celebration is taking place Sunday, January 8, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, visit Portland Japanese Garden’s website.

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