Cultural Heritage

Portland Japanese Garden’s Tea Ceremony Workshop offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional practice of Chanoyu, or the Way of Tea. Experience the art of tranquility, mindfulness, and omotenashi, whole-hearted hospitality.

It is not an exaggeration to say that through tea, one can understand much of Japanese culture. Tea’s influence can be found in many of the nation’s most beloved artforms, including arranging flowers, calligraphy, incense, ceramics and lacquerware. Japanese gardens are also deeply intertwined with tea ceremony. The four principles of tea, wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility), are explored by the gardeners of Portland Japanese Garden in their work every day.

Guided by skilled instructor Jan Waldmann, Sosui, the focus of this workshop is to learn to be a guest in the tea ceremony, an important aspect to this historic tradition. Participants will learn the proper etiquette for attending a tea ceremony, including how to receive and consume sweets and matcha, and most importantly, the reasons behind each of the steps. Additionally, you will gain insight into what it entails to be a host— understanding the occasion and seasonality, attention to aesthetics, careful preparation, and the thoughtful gestures made toward the guests.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Classroom.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden (2:00-2:30pm) before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Family Classroom (2:45-4:15pm).

No previous experience is needed. Students will sit in a chair at a table, not kneeling on a tatami mat.

Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto is one of the major establishments within Japan that has preserved the tradition of Chado or the Way of Tea.  From the first Urasenke generation, Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) to the current headmaster Zabosai Genmoku Soshitsu XVI (b.1956 -), the Sen family lineage has devoted great effort to fostering the philosophy of Tea through the simple words of Wa – Harmony, Kei -Repect, Sei – Purity & Jaku – Tranquility. Over the years Urasenke has established connections in over 21 cities worldwide.

Onigiri Action is an annual event by the Japanese Culture Club. Students make onigiri (rice balls), enjoy tea, and send a photo that helps provide five school meals to children in need worldwide. Everyone is welcome! Located in the Student Union (Bldg. 10). Gresham Campus Map

Lidong marks the beginning of winter on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. Before the cold settles in, give yourself one slow morning: warming teas brewed gongfu style, the garden turning gold outside the window, and 80 minutes that belong entirely to you.

Hosted in a private, hand-built teahouse in SE Portland, this small-group gathering (16 guests maximum) is led by Fengxia, a landscape architect who designed and built the teahouse and its Japanese-style garden herself. You will taste several seasonal teas, learn the basics of gongfu brewing, and leave with a quieter mind.

Advance booking required.

Celebrate the season with a little holiday magic at Portland Japanese Garden. For three special weekends, experience the Garden’s traditional winter decorations, shop for thoughtful Japanese and Japanese-inspired gifts, and have your purchases beautifully wrapped in cloth using the Japanese custom of furoshiki. Along the way, warm up with seasonal teas and treats from the Umami Café and make an origami ornament to take home. These Holiday Weekends are a festive way to slow down, enjoy the season, and find something meaningful for everyone on your list.

Did you know? Furoshiki refers to traditional Japanese cloths that are used to wrap and carry items, including gifts. Traditionally, when presenting a gift wrapped in furoshiki, givers would take the cloth back home with them. Today, furoshiki may also be given as part of the gift itself, valued both for their beauty and as environmentally friendly, reusable alternatives to disposable paper wrap. Recipients can then reuse the cloth for wrapping and carrying items or presenting a future gift.

Chef Alexa's non-colonial Thanksgiving dinner honoring Indigenous ancestors, featuring indigenous tea pairings, a fully dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and white cane sugar-free menu. Take-home meals also available the day before for $50 per person while supplies last.

9:00am- Daughters of British Tea Group-Rental

November 14, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Enjoy an intimate, small-group exploration of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese teas in one of Lan Su’s garden pavilions. Led by the Tea Masters of Yun Shui Teahouse, each tasting features a seasonal selection of three teas and introduces their origins, processing, brewing methods, and cultural significance. The experience offers a relaxing way for tea enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike to explore a beloved cultural tradition amid the beauty of Lan Su.

Introduction to the 5 major tea types and ceremonial tea.
Join us for an introduction to the five major types of tea; green, white, oolong, black, and dark tea. Together we will explore the origins of Camellia sinensis, trace its history and cultural roots, and experience the art of gongfu ceremonial tea service. This class is an invitation to step into the magic, wonder, and devotion that tea inspires, while learning how its many expressions continue to connect us to the natural world and our human nature.

This gathering is offered with a suggested contribution of $35. In the spirit of inclusivity and balance, you are welcome to offer what feels right for you, whether that is $35, $25, or more if you have the means. Contributions above the suggested amount help make this experience accessible to those with financial need and sustain the ongoing care and energy poured into holding spaces like this. Every offering, whether financial or energetic, affirms the value of community supported education.

We also acknowledge the systemic barriers that have long limited access for BIPOC communities. To honor this, a $15 option is available for BIPOC participants who would benefit from it. This is one way we commit to equity, ensuring that diversity is not only welcomed but integral to the richness of the experience.

If the listed prices are still a barrier, please reach out directly. I am more than willing to work with you to ensure that tea remains within reach for all who feel called to share in it.

All are welcome here. You are invited to arrive exactly as you are and take part in a space rooted in openness, care, and community, a living space where each presence is honored and where we grow together through the deep, transformative beauty of tea.

To help us hold a mindful and welcoming space, we ask participants to be considerate of sensory sensitivities by avoiding strong fragrances. This is a space of gentle awareness, where we honor our own needs as well as those of others. By showing up with openness, care, and respect for each other’s boundaries, we create a collective meditative atmosphere where, tea, and community belonging can flourish.

In the spirit of reciprocity and uplifting community together, five dollars from each participant will be donated to Q Center, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ2SIA+ communities through advocacy, resources, and safe spaces, embodying tea’s spirit of connection, reflection, healing, and belonging.

This class is led by D’Guar (they/them), a trans person of color, tea guide, and community builder based in Portland, Oregon. D’Guar has devoted their path to exploring the spirit of Camellia sinensis through mindful practice, storytelling, and connection. Through their project Water Fairy Tea, they create spaces where tea becomes a bridge between nature, presence, and belonging. Their offerings weave education with devotion, inviting participants to meet tea not only as a beverage, but as a living companion in self discovery and community care with nature and the world around.

We acknowledge that this work takes place on the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Clackamas, Chinook, Kathlamet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other Indigenous ancestors and communities. We honor their enduring presence, care, and wisdom, and offer gratitude to the land and to the people who have tended it since time immemorial.

Join us for a fun Holiday Themed British tea with sandwiches and cakes galor. Our fundraiser will be at St. Bartholomew#39;s Church 11/14This is our big fundraiser for the year - our annual afternoon tea party. Our members bake and make homemade - from

A kissa-style (Japanese coffeeshop) pop-up at Fumi featuring slow bar pour over coffee, usucha matcha, and white tea from Spirit Tea served by coffee_ma_pdx, plus intentionally paired seasonal snacks by Boulet (boulet.pdx).

Portland Japanese Garden will offer free public demonstrations of Chadō, the Way of Tea, at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.

The Way of Tea is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening.

The traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a manner of preparing and drinking a bowl of tea. More than just making tea, it reflects the Japanese sense of omotenashi, or wholehearted hospitality. It involves choreographed movements where both the host and guest escape the fast pace of life and experience calm.

A British-inspired afternoon tea anchors this annual fundraising event, with three seatings offered throughout the day. Gluten-free plates are available.

Join us for a holiday afternoon tea at The Grant House on Saturday 19th December at 2pm. Limited availability. Reservations required.

We will be featuring a selection of specialty teas, together with a Tower of Treats, starting with traditional crustless tea sandwiches and savory bites. Intermission will be a traditional English scone with jam & cream, and then you'll finish with a selection of sweet treats. $65 per person plus gratuity & tax.

Explore the art of brewing tea with a gaiwan, the classic lidded bowl whose simplicity reveals rich nuance. This hands-on class covers how to hold, pour, and brew with ease, examines the vessel’s anatomy, and builds confidence in finding your own rhythm for steeping. Small, meaningful choices that shape each cup are highlighted so you leave with practical methods to use at home and a refreshed relationship with tea. Rooted in technique yet guided by the senses, the session fosters presence and intuition. Brewing is approached as an ongoing dialogue between you and the leaf, with the gaiwan as the place where that conversation begins. This offering uses a sliding scale. The suggested contribution is $45. Options such as $35 or amounts above the suggested figure are welcome, and higher contributions help keep the experience accessible for those with financial need. BIPOC participants who would benefit from it may contribute $15. If price remains a hurdle, the organizer is committed to working with participants so tea education stays within reach. Everyone is welcome in a space shaped by openness, care, and community. To support those with sensory sensitivities, please avoid strong fragrances. Participants are encouraged to honor personal needs and boundaries, creating a calm, shared atmosphere where tea and belonging can thrive. The class is led by D'Guar (they/them), a trans person of color, tea guide, and community builder based in Portland. Through Water Fairy Tea, they hold spaces where education and devotion meet, inviting people to meet Camellia sinensis as a companion in reflection, connection, and community care with the natural world. This work honors the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Clackamas, Chinook, Kathlamet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and other Indigenous peoples, with gratitude for their enduring presence, wisdom, and stewardship.