Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre

Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre is a 5-hectare garden with rocky hillsides, waterfalls, streams, and lakes that provide an environment for numerous aquatic birds to thrive. The complex includes a cultural centre and spans 3 kilometers of pathways that wind through miniaturised Japanese landscapes with mountains, waterfalls, and traditional buildings.

The garden opened in 1979 and serves as a memorial to Japanese prisoners who died during World War II. The site marks the location of the 1944 Cowra prison break, one of the most significant events in Australian prisoner-of-war history.

The Cultural Centre displays over 300 Japanese objects such as ceramics, kimonos, lacquerware, and traditional ink paintings that showcase Japanese craftsmanship and artistic traditions. Visitors can engage directly with these works and experience the aesthetic principles behind them.

The grounds offer well-marked pathways suitable for different fitness levels, from short strolls to longer walks through the garden areas. There are plenty of rest spots and viewpoints where visitors can stop to observe the landscape and bird life.

Landscape designer Ken Nakajima deliberately incorporated native eucalyptus trees into the Japanese garden design to represent Australian soldiers. This blend of both cultures creates a space that honors the connection between Japan and Australia.