The Bamboo Gate – Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon

As a Japanese garden, the desired effect is to realize a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility and to experience the feeling of being a part of nature.[citation needed] In a deep sense, a Japanese garden is a living reflection of the history and traditional culture of Japan. Influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. The Japanese Garden is composed of five distinct garden styles, each a different degree of formality. The Tea Garden has two areas, each devoted to enhancing the tea ceremony: an outer waiting area and an inner garden surrounding the authentic tea house.