Japanese American Historical Plaza
Japanese American Historical Plaza
4.5
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 12:00 AM
About
The Japanese American Historical Plaza and Bill of Rights Memorial was created to raise greater public awareness about the diversity of cultural experiences in America. The Japanese American experience is a unique story that evokes a deep appreciation of the freedoms granted to all Americans by their Bill of Rights. The Plaza is well known for its Akebono cherry blossom trees that bloom every spring.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Japanese American Historical Plaza and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town - Chinatown
How to get there
- Union Station • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,123 within 3 miles
Attractions
594 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
19 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
H K
New York46 contributions
Nov 2016
An inspiring rock garden right by the Willamette River, with stones full of haikus in English and Japanese. Though now a home for the homeless, so you have to weave past them so you can read them. Still inspiring and an important reminder that the internment of Americans should never happen to anyone of color, race, or religion. And don't forget to visit the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center west of the monument.
Written 19 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnArborMiBob
Ann Arbor, MI1,619 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
This historical plaza is dedicated to Japanese Americans who were sent to concentration camps during World War II (still euphemistically called internment camps, or, even more benignly, relocation camps). We need reminders like this of such episodes from our history because, if we don't, then, as George Santayana would say, we will be condemned to repeat them. And in fact the previous history of Indian reservations in our nation is a strong argument that the Japanese American internment camps already were such a repetition.
Those who might think that analogy far-fetched might want to ponder this: As his reward for doing such a bang-up job with the internment camps, their director, Dillon S. Myer, was later awarded the position of Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I guess the powers-that-be thought he had the right background for that job.
Those who might think that analogy far-fetched might want to ponder this: As his reward for doing such a bang-up job with the internment camps, their director, Dillon S. Myer, was later awarded the position of Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I guess the powers-that-be thought he had the right background for that job.
Written 25 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrEdnWilbur
Jacksonville, FL847 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
This plaza is a fantastic memorial to a distant past when Americans were imprisoned not because they committed crimes but because of their Japanese ancestry. As you walk along the cobblestone path, you can pause and read the haiku engraved head stones that line the walk way. It is a beautiful spot located along the Willamette River and right next to the Burnside Bridge. If you visit in April, you can join the crowd enjoying themselves at the Portland Saturday Market and also admire at the beauty and grace of the cherry blossom trees.
Written 26 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buddy R
Rogers, AR36 contributions
Jul 2019
The rocks with the words of displaced American Japanese emphasize the humanity of the victims of this political decision. Perhaps considering the enormity of the moment--the attack on Pearl Harbor and the nation moving to war--we can acknowledge that doing the right thing would have been extraordinarily difficult. But finally, the government did not do the right thing and the Supreme Court permitted it. The hurt and betrayal experienced by American Japanese families is beautifully conveyed by the sculpture at the entrance.
It doesn't take long to visit the plaza and "see" it all. But it bears a longer and more contemplative stay.
It doesn't take long to visit the plaza and "see" it all. But it bears a longer and more contemplative stay.
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rodrigoelp
Sydney, Australia259 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
This plaza is for those seeking the history of Portland. The design and architecture of the plaza is inspiring and the series of Japanese trees are inspiring. I do recommend you to take a moment to read some of the stones or take a seat, it is truly rewarding.
As a tourist, you will find a bit of relaxation, some history and a bit of sun (as I recommend you to come either early in the morning or late, close to sunset). I really like the plaza with some minor inconvenience:
- No bubbler around (drinking water fountains). In July, you will find yourself trying to get a drink as the sun becomes pretty intense and the city warmer on the side of uncomfortable. Given this plaza is meant to give you the sense of relaxation and meditation, it should allow you to grab something to drink on the go.
- Way too many homeless. I know this one is very insensitive and not unique to Portland (nor this square); the US has grown increasingly inefficient to provide for its people and I lost count of the number of people I saw sleeping on cardboard or dirty sleeping bags. I came a bit late on the second day of my stay just to find the square completely filled with people, many of which start begging for some coins as you go past. I had a bit of a jump as I was not expecting this but the government should try to address this problem.
As a tourist, you will find a bit of relaxation, some history and a bit of sun (as I recommend you to come either early in the morning or late, close to sunset). I really like the plaza with some minor inconvenience:
- No bubbler around (drinking water fountains). In July, you will find yourself trying to get a drink as the sun becomes pretty intense and the city warmer on the side of uncomfortable. Given this plaza is meant to give you the sense of relaxation and meditation, it should allow you to grab something to drink on the go.
- Way too many homeless. I know this one is very insensitive and not unique to Portland (nor this square); the US has grown increasingly inefficient to provide for its people and I lost count of the number of people I saw sleeping on cardboard or dirty sleeping bags. I came a bit late on the second day of my stay just to find the square completely filled with people, many of which start begging for some coins as you go past. I had a bit of a jump as I was not expecting this but the government should try to address this problem.
Written 5 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA10,355 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
The park dedicated to those Japanese-Americans who were interred at concentration camps, located mainly in the western United States, and to those Nisei who served with much valor during WWII. Peaceful, serene; a place for contemplation, located along the banks of the Willamette River.
Written 9 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeminarTrekker
Sacramento Valley2,849 contributions
Amid a sunny early April day in the Rose City, we visited The Japanese American historic plaza honoring U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry, who were evacuated and/or interned in WW II Relocation Camps, away from the West Coast. Carved stones and inscriptions reflecting the experiences of this population. Also mentioned is the 442nd U.S. Infanty Batallion, the most decorated military unit of it's size and with many Medal of Honor awardees. Most of which were Japanese Americans. This is great place to sit down after attending the nearby downtown market near Skidmore Fountain, or reading all of moving inscriptions, or a great spot for rest, contemplation and/or relaxation in the City of Roses.
Written 9 April 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert S
Lawrence, KS2,660 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
This plaza is a beautiful reflection of the strength and fortitude of the Americans of Japanese heritage who withstood and overcame the bigotry and mistreatment that took place during WWII. The plaza is as lyrical and understated as a true Japanese garden. There is a wonderful little forest of cherry trees that were all in bloom when we visited.
It is part of the downtown riverfront park on the West side of the river.
Visit and spend some time meditating on the human experience.
It is part of the downtown riverfront park on the West side of the river.
Visit and spend some time meditating on the human experience.
Written 18 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TLDawson
Surrey, Canada225 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
I have been searching on things to do in Portland and this plaza made it on my list. I like to walk along the waterfront. Just make sure you are not walking by yourself when it gets dark.
Written 26 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose Martinez
3 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
This was a remarkable and historical experience that only someone who has been there in person can really explain how impactful it is visiting this site. It’s very informative history that everyone should know about because it is showcasing the historical moments that Japanese people endured during one of the most important wars which was World War II. This site really explains the most important parts of how it was during that period of history for Japanese immigrants.
Written 25 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing