2025 O-Tsukimi: The Moonviewing Festival Event (Dates Back to Ancient Times, Belief in Moon's Influence on Human Life, Agriculture & Harvest) 3 DaysNEW

O-Tsukimi: Moonviewing Festival at Portland Japanese Garden. Experience the enchantment of O-Tsukimi, the Moonviewing Festival, at the Portland Japanese Garden. This cherished annual event, held during the harvest moon, invites guests to appreciate the beauty of the full moon from the Pavilion Overlook, with stunning views of Mount Hood and the city skyline.

Event Highlights
• Enjoy a light vegetarian meal by Obon Shokudo with koto music by Mitsuki Dazai.
• Stroll through the lantern-lit garden, one of only two events where the stone lanterns are illuminated.
• Anticipate the moonrise at Mount Hood Overlook, accompanied by Jasmine Pearl Tea, haiku writing, and shakuhachi music by Kodō Araki.
• Witness a candle-lit tea ceremony in Kashintei Tea House and a special ikebana display with tsukimi dango.
• Admire the Flat Garden’s unique checkerboard raking pattern, designed to cast moonlit shadows.

Event Dates
Oct 5, 6, 7, 2025

Time (Check Time)
6:30-9:00 PM


Updates Coming



Event Details
• Tickets: Members $55, Non-members $70
• Reservations open: August 7 (Golden Crane), August 14 (Members), August 21 (Non-members)
• Note: The event will proceed rain or shine; no tripods or flash photography allowed.

Celebrate the romance and tradition of Moonviewing in the serene setting of the Portland Japanese Garden, where history and culture come to life under the glow of the full moon.

About
The tradition of Moonviewing, also known as "Tsukimi" in Japan, dates back to ancient times, around the Heian period (794-1185 AD). It originated from the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and was introduced to Japan during the Nara period (710-794 AD). The festival was initially celebrated by the Japanese aristocracy, and over time, it spread to different social classes and became a popular cultural event throughout the country.

The Moonviewing festival holds significance due to its ties to lunar appreciation and the belief in the moon's influence on human life, agriculture, and harvest. Additionally, the beauty of the moon and its phases have been a source of inspiration for poets, artists, and writers in Japan for centuries, leading to the incorporation of haiku composition and traditional music into the festivities.

Location
Portland Japanese Garden, Pavilion Overlook