Where would you guess the best Japanese Garden outside of the world is? Would you guess San Francisco? New York? Vancouver?

I have a thing for Japanese Gardens (and Japanese culture, honestly, since I’ve been speaking the language for ten years or so now) and I always swing by them in my travels. I’ve been to ones as far as Monaco and San Francisco, as far North as Boston and as far South as Florida, and by far my favorite of all is this one in:

Portland Oregon.

Are you surprised? Portland is known for its food culture scene, but not for its gardens which is a shame because right next to this perfect zen garden is my second favorite garden in the world: the International Rose Test Garden. You wouldn’t believe in June and July the size, the breadth, the varietals this place has to offer!

The Portland Japanese Garden is one of the best places on the planet for a quiet, meditative wander. The place is perfect to get slightly lost in. Not only does it feature endless bamboo walks and stone pathways, dappled pools and tinkling brooks, but it also offers classes on Japanese flower arrangements, mediation, and other Japanese cultural activities.

So any time of year, go to the Japanese Garden. And if you’re in the area in the Summer, you must go to the rose garden next door. Pre-purchased tickets to the Japanese garden are $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors, $11.95 for students, and $10.45 for ages 10-17. The International Rose Test Garden is free and open 7am to 9pm in the Summer, but does get quite busy evenings and weekends!

What do you think? Do you visit a lot of gardens when you travel? Have you liked any in particular? Tell me in the comments.