The Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon, USA, has been seeking investment for its expansion and additions, and recently announced that it will temporarily close from September 2015 to March 2016 to begin construction.

Since its opening in 1963, the Portland Japanese Garden has been beloved for many years, currently attracting more than 350,000 visitors annually. Boasting a total area of approximately 22,000 square meters, visitors can enjoy five garden styles, including the traditional flat garden, the open-air teahouse, and the mountain stream.

The garden's expansion, which will begin in September, is attracting much attention as it will be designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Aiming to achieve a modern style that blends traditional Japanese design with the spirit of North America's Pacific Northwest, the garden will include the addition of three LEED-certified buildings and seven new garden spaces.

The design for this expansion was inspired by the image of a traditional Japanese temple town, where the vibrant village scenery greets visitors as they pass through the shrine gate. A new cultural village and courtyard will be added just outside the main garden, where workshops, galleries, and performances will be held.

Traditionally, learning Japanese gardening techniques was thought to be limited to specialized books or studying Japanese and traveling to Japan to inherit the tradition. However, the Portland Japanese Garden's expansion and investment plans aim to make these techniques accessible to anyone, with a major goal being the development of a new academic society. It also embodies the hope of making Japanese gardens and culture more accessible to the next generation.

It was surprising to find such an authentic Japanese garden in the United States, but even more so, how it has been elevated to a quality comparable to that of Japanese gardens. It's definitely something to visit.

This article was translated and written with permission from (source: http://culturalcrossing.com).