Our Japanese garden in Portland is so beloved in Autumn foliage that there is a Fall Foliage Tracker. We used the tracker in September to guess ahead of time when the colours would begin to appear in the garden, but were too eager to go and showed up a little bit early, on October 14th. The brilliant thing about our choice, though, was that the day was as perfect an Autumn day as they come.
Sandy has a membership to the garden, and so she invited me to go with her some time. We had hoped for Autumn golds and reds, but got mostly green. The nice thing about green is that it is my favourite colour. And the Portland Japanese Garden is a stunning place to see in every season.
We came from different directions and I arrived early and found parking right next to the Japanese garden, which is right next to the Portland International Rose Test Garden which is in Washington Park. This test garden was begun during WWI and now contains around 10,000 individual rose bushes with over 600 varieties. It’s always free to visit because it is a public park. The tricky thing is to find parking, so my recommendation is to take the bus. If you come in the morning, your odds of parking are better.
I barely had time to begin wandering the garden when Sandy arrived, so I found some stairs and climbed the hill to where she had magically found a parking space directly next to mine. We rode the Japanese Garden shuttle up the hill even farther, to the entrance.
We wandered the many paths, marveling at every perspective. There were plenty of visitors in the park, but the design allows for peaceful contemplation as you wind around turns and over and around hills.
Near the end of our exploration, we found the Mt. Hood overlook. Since it is a garden that honors Japanese traditions, many people look out onto this volcano and think of Mt. Fuji.
Conscious Engagement 
I found the shape of the tree compelling as well. Crystal. Also the fall colors in the water. The concentric circles on the right, possibly created by a fish hitting the surface, added a touch of magic. Excellent, post, even though you were early for the fall colors. And what’s not to love by the classical shape of the Cascade Volcanoes!
Thank you so much, Curt! It was a marvelous day and there was nothing to complain about even though it wasn’t what we were thinking it would be. I agree with you, and love the shot of those concentric circles in the water. On my very first trip to this garden I had a tour, and the guide mentioned Fujiama. I have thought of it every single time I go, now. ❤
Mt. Shasta in the cascade volcano that reminds me the most of Fujiyama. But I love them all. My niece just sent us a photo she had taken yesterday of Mt. Rainier. I’ve never been to the Japanese Garden in Portland, but one of my earliest memories of San Francisco was wandering through its Japanese Garden.
I believe I went to that one too, but many moons ago. My grandmother took me there when I visited her when I was 16. Ah, my skin and my ideas were so fresh back then.
You did well with the slanting light you had. And you enhanced the view of Mount Hood, then framed it perfectly
Thank you for noticing the shots from a photographer’s perspective, Derrick. I can easily imagine you taking your time there as well.
Lovely! While I may not make it to Seattle’s Arboretum or to the stunning Kubota Garden south of Seattle, I DO think I found a new place to take a stroll tomorrow. Your post was just the inspiration I needed! Over the summer, Hanwoori Korean Garden opened just 20 minutes from me. Thanks for the nudge.
I love this idea, Bonnie! And it will likely be filled with Autumn foliage for you as well. How fortunate to have it so close. I hope you make it. I will have to go check out your blog next and see. 🙂 Happy Halloween by the way!
Beautiful! You picked such a great clear day for the Mt. Hood view, so lucky. With a membership you get to go early, before the crowds file in, and to walk the garden in peace and quiet is another level up that’s irresistible. Tracking peak leaf is as fun as peak wildflowers, and peak cherry blossoms. Such a fun game. 🙂
I think of those two things just as you do: like a game. It’s so much fun to get excited about nature’s theatrical displays. You must add peak rhododendrons at the Crystal Springs garden! And maybe peak roses. Speaking of roses, there is a rose garden at Peninsula Park, which turns out to be rather close to my friend Vladimir’s place, north of the Mississippi district. I have never been there, but it looks like a good one. Also the LanSu garden. My goodness, how lucky we are to live in a city that prioritizes gardens!
I didn’t realize that the membership gets a person in early. That is certainly a treat.
Yes, went to Rhododendron garden late April this year, so gorgeous. Peninsula Park was our go to park for many years when my grandkids were little, quite a lovely respite from city life. Really, all the PDX parks are just lovely, and so many. Been to Lan Su only once. I think w/grandkids we’ve been to most of the parks. Hoyt Arboretum is another, and Leach Botanical Garden. And and and… 🙂
“and…and…” so funny. Yes, so many of them are good. Cathedral Park is another favourite of mine. I have not yet been to Hoyt or Leach Botanical Garden, so I have many delights ahead of me. Glad to know Peninsula Park is going to be a good one.
I love all of these images, Crystal, but that one of you is just gorgeous!
Awww /blushes/ Thanks, Laurie. I am so pleased when a good one happens. It’s a reason to keep taking photos!
Must be a walk into peacefulness.