Cowra Japanese Gardens

We visited Cowra's Japanese gardens on the 24th of December. Needless to say, our travels had made us lose track of time and it was when we arrived expecting a lovely breakfast in their famous cafe that it dawn on us that it's Christmas Eve and they're not open - which is perfectly fair. Nevertheless, we were fortunate that the gardens were open till 12pm and their gift shop sold Conettos. Hence, one Conetto each later we were wondering around the magnificently designed gardens with our trusted audio guide.

Cowra's Japanese history and significance began after the 1944 mass suicidal break out by 500 Japanese POWs in Cowra's POW camp site. In 1948, deciding to forget the past, ex-serviceman (RSL) of the Australian army begun assuming the responsibilty for the caring of the graves of the Japanese POWs who perished in the breakout. In 1960, the Japanese Government considered the repatriation of their war dead to Japan. However, upon visiting their graves in Cowra were so impressed by how it has been cared for by the RSL in Cowra, that they decided to move all Japanese soldiers that were buried in Australia to be re-buried in Cowra. Hence the birth of this unique friendship and the inspiration of Cowra's Japanese Gardens.

Ken Nakajima (world famous landscape gardener) was appointed as the creator and architect of the splendid garden and was responsible for the final site choice. Every year in September, thousands of tourist visit Cowra to take part in the Sakura Matsuri festival which runs for a whole week. It is the best time of the year to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom and also to take part in other Japanese traditional activities. It is the place to be if one can't afford to visit Kyoto yet :)

I left the beautiful gardens deep in thought and encouraged knowing that this beautiful garden is proof that something so tragic can result into something of great beauty due to a simple but important act of forgiveness and the evidence hope in humanity.