The Japanese Garden has its own personality reflected in five formal garden styles set on five and one-half acres: the Strolling Pond Garden, the Natural Garden, the Sand and Stone Garden, the Flat Garden and the Tea Garden. There are a number of concepts at work. Much is made of "borrowed scenery" with the prime example being the remarkable vista across the city of Portland toward the Cascade Mountains and Mount Hood. Also the concept of "hide and reveal" which is subtle. Plantings, placement of stones, and the route of pathways all give the Garden wanderer constantly changing views. The visitor does not gasp in awe of the Garden; the visitor instead is made reflective. The Garden is meant to calm, to soothe.
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