Japanese American Historical Plaza

A Guide to Japanese American Heritage & Culture

Yokoso Portland e!

Welcome to Portland!

Japanese-American heritage and culture contribute to Portland’s beauty. A calm and peaceful Japanese aesthetic enhances many public and private gardens throughout the city—slender purple irises, waterfalls, ponds filled with brightly marked koi and moss-covered rock gardens.

Take a leisurely stroll through the pride of Portland, the formal Japanese Garden, overlooking the city from Washington Park. Learn about the experiences of Japanese Americans interned during World War II and the importance of the Bill of Rights at the award-winning Japanese American Historical Plaza in Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Hop on Tri-Met’s extensive public transportation system and discover the many treasures of Portland’s Japanese and Japanese-American communities.

From the first Japanese laborers who arrived in Portland during the Gold Rush to the fourth generation of today, Japanese Americans have been instrumental in bringing economic prosperity to the region through such industries as agriculture, import-export and technology. Today, an array of Japanese-American businesses and cultural sites grace the Portland metro region and offer the visitor ample opportunities to experience the legacy of the Issei, the first Japanese immigrants.