Portland Japanese Garden

Designed by Sankei Hara, this stroll garden is distinct because it contains 17 buildings of high historic value reconstructed here from such places as Kyoto and Kamakura. They are arranged skillfully in harmony with the seasonal changes of the natural scenery of the garden. The garden sustained heavy damage in World War II which required 5 years of restoration. Today the garden grounds and its building stage numerous art exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

My experience here in Japan has been incredible in large part due to the wonderful friends that I have met and the incredible kindness they show me everyday! Here are a few shots of my friends here in Tokyo, so far away from home! I am so grateful for their friendship! Enjoy!!!

It seems as if I am always eating here in Japan! Here are some examples!

An ancient sport based in Shinto traditions, Sumo is one of my favorite things to attend in Japan. Each match is over very quickly so you must pay careful attention. The wrestlers try to knock each other out of the ring. I was lucky enough to go on the final day of the tournament and saw an epic battle for the championship. Japanese Prime Minister Aso was in attendance and presented the trophy to the winner!

Preparing for Battle!

Prime Minister Aso Presents the Trophy

I was so fortunate to be invited to spend New Year’s Day with the Uchiyama Family in Tokyo. We celebrated the new year with traditional foods and sake along with a visit to a local shrine. New Year’s is the most important holiday in Japan where families return home to be together. I was honored to part of this wonderful family and their celebrations.

The Uchiyama Family Shares a New Year’s Feast

Here I am in Grandfather’s Kimono

Visit to a Shrine on New Year’s Day

I enjoyed some Japanese tea called O-cha at the tea house at Kenrokuen Garden. This tea house is open for the public to enjoy small tasty sweets and Japanese green tea.

My poor knees!

Amazing Craftmanship!

A beautiful view from the Tea house!

Home of the Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima has been declared one of the three most scenic places in Japan. I visited on a stunning day and got some wonderful pictures!

Sunset over the Inland Sea at the top of Mt. Misen on Miyajima

O-Torii (Great Gate) at Miyajima

This young Sumo was not about to give up his ice cream!

Visiting Hiroshima was a moving experience. I spent time with Shigeko Sumida, a 92 year old survivor of the Atomic Bomb. She talked of strapping her baby daughter to her back, and hiking into the center of Hiroshima the day after the blast to look for surviving family members. She is a strong and amazing woman who raised a family in the most difficult of times. She reminds us how important it is to remember and to learn from the past. I was honored to be invited into her home where she and her family treated me to a most memorable evening of food and friendship that I will never forget.

Mrs. Sumida and I at lunch at the Sekitei Ryokan in Hiroshima

A feast with the Sumida Family  — Read more »

The Kotojitoro Lantern at Kenrokuen Garden - The Original!!!

This lantern should look familiar!! This is the original of the replica at our Garden in Portland! It was truly a beautiful Autumn Day at Kenrokuen.

Only a week into life in my new apartment in Tokyo and there is great excitement when a smoker across the hall from me starts the building on fire! It was the smoke coming under my door that finally tipped me off and I promptly evacuated!

Tokyo's finest at work!