The Japanese Garden in Cowra is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, established to recognise the relationship between Cowra and the people of Japan. The relationship has its origins formed during World War II with the establishment of the Cowra POW campsite, used for Japanese prisoners of war.
Presented across twelve acres, the Cowra Japanese Garden is the largest in the southern hemisphere. Designed by Ken Nakajima, it is a replica of the first Japanese landscape garden built in Tokyo in the 16th century by the first Shogun Tokugawa.
Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival
Celebrated in September each year, the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival welcomes spring and the seasonal cherry blossoms. The festival showcases traditional Japanese culture and performance, with music, dance, martial arts, tea ceremonies, arts, crafts, and more.
Markets offer a range of Japanese food and drinks, as well as products from various stall holders. Tickets are needed for admission to the festival, however, tickets are required to enter the gardens so it is a bargain if you want to see the gardens and the Cherry Blossom festival event together.
Koyo Matsuri
The Cherry Blossom Festival is short compared to the month-long Koyo Matsuri celebration. Autumn is the season to celebrate, held during May. It is a time to reflect on the beauty of the changing seasons and the changing colours presented by the gardens.
To Get There
From the Cowra Visitor Information Centre, turn left out of the carpark onto Lachlan Valley Way, then immediately right onto the Mid Western Hwy. Follow the Mid Western Hwy for 950m and turn left at the lights into Brisbane St with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Brisbane St, becoming Binni Creek Rd, for 1km and turn right into Len Whiteley Dr with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Len Whiteley Dr for 200m, then left into Ken Nakajima Pl and the parking area is 150m on the right.
If heading west into Cowra on the Mid Western Hwy, you will pass a brown sign for Japanese Garden when entering Cowra just before crossing over Waugoola Ola Creek. From the bridge, continue for another 1.8km and turn right at the lights into Brisbane St with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Brisbane St, becoming Binni Creek Rd, for 1km and turn right into Len Whiteley Dr with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Len Whiteley Dr for 200m, then left into Ken Nakajima Pl and the parking area is 150m on the right.
If heading north into Cowra on the Lachlan Valley Way, follow the Lachlan Valley Way to the end where the Cowra Visitor Information Centre is on the left. Turn right onto the Mid Western Hwy, using the directions above from the visitor centre.
If heading north into Cowra on the Olympic Hwy, follow the Olympic Hwy to the end where the Cowra Visitor Information Centre is on the right. Turn right onto the Mid Western Hwy, using the directions above from the visitor centre.
If heading east into Cowra on the Mid Western Hwy, continue into town passing the Visitor Information Centre on the right shortly before crossing the Lachlan River. From the bridge, continue for 600m and turn left at the lights into Brisbane St with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Brisbane St, becoming Binni Creek Rd, for 1km and turn right into Len Whiteley Dr with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Len Whiteley Dr for 200m, then left into Ken Nakajima Pl and the parking area is 150m on the right.
If heading south into Cowra on Canowindra Rd, as the speed zone changes to 80km/h, turn left after 300m into Doncaster Dr with the brown sign for P.O.W Campsite. Passing the War Cemeteries, follow Doncaster Dr to the end for 800m and turn right onto Binni Creek Rd. Follow Binni Creek Rd for 2.7km and turn left into Len Whiteley Dr with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Len Whiteley Dr for 200m, then left into Ken Nakajima Pl and the parking area is 150m on the right.
, follow Doncaster Dr to the end for 800m and turn right onto Binni Creek Rd. Follow Binni Creek Rd for 2.7km and turn left into Len Whiteley Dr with the brown sign for Japanese Garden. Follow Len Whiteley Dr for 200m, then left into Ken Nakajima Pl and the parking area is 150m on the right.