Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre
Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre
Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Tranquil. It's the perfect word to describe Cowra's Japanese Garden. You can't help but feel completely at peace when you walk through the lush gardens and cascading streams which represent the landscapes of Japan: where the hill is a mountain, streams are the rivers and the ponds inland lakes and the sea. Is this the most serene place in NSW? Spend some time walking around the equisitely manicured Kaiyushiki (strolling) garden, designed by Ken Nakajima and opened in 1979, and you be the judge.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
1,041 reviews
Excellent
778
Very good
222
Average
34
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Paulie S
Shellharbour, Australia770 contributions
Feb. 2023
I misunderstood reading the website, I thought the $18 entry to the Japanese Garden was a guided tour but it is in fact, a DIY tour. However, if you’re a large group and depending on availability, you may request a tour of the garden (obviously organise this perhaps a week before getting there), and a member of the garden team will take you through. Nonetheless, the lady in the gift shop (this is where you pay your entry fee as well), was super friendly and helpful, she handed us the map of the garden and an information sheet about the garden with a bit of history of the person ‘Ken Nakajima’, who designed the garden – fascinating information – a must read before starting your DIY tour, you get a better understanding and appreciation of the place. If you want to feed the fish, just in front of you, when paying for the entry fee, you can purchase packets of fish food for only $1.50, if you wish to feed the fish – the only season you can’t feed the fish, is in winter. You could easily spend a couple of hours there or more. Walk at your own pace, plenty of photo opportunity and soak in the beauty. We were lucky enough to see ducks and their ducklings and closer to finishing your walk, there’s a Bonsai House, housing many Bonsai – displayed elegantly. Then when we finished the circuit of the garden, we returned to where we first started. Take the time and effort to see the Japanese art and artefacts, well over 300 items to see and of course, the much talked about Somenishiki vase – you can’t miss it. It’s a large vase, protected and displayed in a glass box, in a charming manner, which has a twin at the Imperial Palace in Toyko. The entry fee is so worth the admission. The garden landscape is a bit hilly in some areas, but you can get a golf buggy, if you struggle with hills or not super fit but there are some areas that you cannot access, due to the narrow paths – there are signs displayed, where you’re limited with the buggy. Oh… there are signs of ‘beware of snakes’ didn’t see any but worth noting. If you have time, there's an Education Centre, for you to watch a video... this is not the kind of place you visit, if you're in a hurry. Then we headed to the café, again… lovely staff, friendly and very welcoming. We were there early morning and had late breakfast, I had a slice of sourdough toasted, grilled half of tomato, bacon and two eggs and ordered an extra… hash browns and my wife had croissants with grilled ham and cheese. The food was delicious, presented beautiful and nice and hot – loved the hash browns, so crispy and not oily and their coffee is nice too. They also have an array of delicious cakes displayed, if you have a sweet tooth and the food is reasonably priced. We noticed, when we drove up the path, on your left-hand side, there is a Sculpture Park, out in the open and free – not too many sculptures on display but it’s worth a look, since you’re there. I highly recommend to visit this place, even if you have seen many gardens, this one has a unique history to go with it. The serenity, beauty is an amazing start to our day and definitely the highlight of Cowra. We did this activity before heading to our next destination… Parkes. I would definitely visit this place again but this time, in Spring, we would love to see the cherry blossom trees fully bloomed – that would be spectacular to see.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary S
12 contributions
Feb. 2023
Pictures you see here can never do this place justice. It is simply amazing and well worth the price of admission. It is a little hilly in places but I think if you need to you can hire a golf buggy (I saw a few at the start of the paths). It is not super hilly, but if you have any injury or ailment, you might want to ring ahead and get a buggy. Otherwise, the walk is amazing, the scenery is fantastic, and you wont regret being there. It will, just for a few hours, take you mind of the world just for a while. Worth the $18.00 to get in, and dont forget to buy some fish food, for the fish, and the ducks.... they will eat it out of your hands, and you dont have to find them, they will certainly find you!!! Im not going to upload any photos, there are enough online, and honestly, in real life it is soooo much better.
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RUTH H
Sydney, Australia16 contributions
Feb. 2023
We were particularly impressed with the Cultural Centre and the beautiful gardens. It was very peaceful and beautifully set out and maintained. Would definitely recommend a visit.
Written 11 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie B
2 contributions
Jan. 2023
Beautiful garden, very well maintained, and lovely welcoming and helpful staff. Limited but interesting cultural exhibits. And don't miss visiting the old POW camp - good displays about the fascinating history and the breakout.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RachmanBristol
Bristol11 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
An oasis of calm and beauty. Wonderful gardens and interesting cultural centre. The cafe was excellent- lovely lunch with very generous portions, reasonably priced. Very welcoming staff. Enjoyed it so much we went back for breakfast before leaving the town. Love this place.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yo
Strasbourg, France20 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Solo
If you have already seen a Japanese garden, you can skip this one. Well maintained but very average when it comes to its beauty. Even the pagoda is average... 18$ for that is a rip off
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geraldine P
25 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
Such a beautiful serene place. My husband and I ummed and ahhed about spending the money to visit “a garden” but we are so glad we did. It is amazing and well worth a visit. Beautifully designed as is everything Japanese. We loved it.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy M
Dorset, UK233 contributions
Nov. 2022
Beautiful, peaceful, meditative, thoughtful, architectural, visual, colourful, scented, flowing (lovely cafe too)
Written 24 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank S
1 contribution
Nov. 2022 • Couples
This is one of the most beautiful, well kept and largest Japanese garden I have ever visited in Australia. Well done to the entire staff.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sydneysider48
Sydney, Australia1,090 contributions
Nov. 2022
Having now visited the gardens a number of times, we were impressed by the way they have matured. They are truly beautiful and peaceful and the garden and plant maintenance is meticulous. It is delightful to stroll around the well graded paths, with an occasional stop to admire a particular vista. The juxtaposition of Australian natives with traditional Japanese trees and shrubs to create a typical Japanese stroll garden is particularly interesting and the wandering ducks are delightful.
The cafe was reasonable, although it was surprising and disappointing that, while sandwiches were available, they were not mentioned on the menu, which consisted mostly of hot and often fried food, with regrettably nothing of Japanese cuisine offered.
The cafe was reasonable, although it was surprising and disappointing that, while sandwiches were available, they were not mentioned on the menu, which consisted mostly of hot and often fried food, with regrettably nothing of Japanese cuisine offered.
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SonjaB
Kiama, Australia678 contributions
What is wrong with cowra cafes? Nothing open sundays, do they not want any business from tourists. So bizarre!! Tourist info cafe only or Japanese gdn after 9am.
Madshus
Canberra, Australia1,372 contributions
It’s probably due to a combination of Covid health restrictions and Sunday/public holiday penalty rates for hiring workers. It’s simply too expensive to open when customers are few. That’s the way it us now not just in Cowra but other small places like Nerriga, Jindabyne.
Roving735322
Sydney, Australia
Hi any day trip package to Cowra Cherry Blossom Festival from Sydney on Saturday 22 September. Thanks
Laura S
Gold Coast, Australia126 contributions
We drove ourselves. You could check with a tour operator, or check online travel sites. Good luck, please post if you find a suitable travel plan. Cheers
cassia_sea4870
Sydney, Australia18 contributions
Hi,
Are people allowed to have a picnic right under the Sakura trees?
CowraJapaneseGarden
Cowra, Australia
You can lay your picnic blanket out on the grassed areas, the majority of the Cherry Blossom trees are not located in spots that would be suitable for a picnic due to surrounding garden beds.
Saral G
3 contributions
Is there any barbeque area inside the park?
CowraJapaneseGarden
Cowra, Australia
No I'm sorry. You are able to bring a picnic basket in but we do not have barbecue facilities in the garden.
cherrybrookchick
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia100 contributions
How big is the garden? How much time do you need to see it? We will be passing through Cowra on the way the way further south but would love to have the time to enjoy this place.
fe47838
Canberra, Australia15 contributions
About 5-6acres. 2 hours at least. Golf buggy is a good option but you can also take a slow walk.
Easily spend 2 days in Cowra and surrounds.
17home
Cheltenham Glos UK2 contributions
How much to get in? Seniors discount? Any yearly tickets ?
john h
Quillan, France1,378 contributions
Adults - $15.00
Seniors/Pensioners - $13.00 - With valid ID card
Students - $13.00 - With valid student ID card
Children - $8.00
Families - $40.00- Two Adults and school age children all living at the same address.
ChilternSydney
Sydney, Australia10 contributions
Are there any weekend tours to Cowra for the festival from Sydney
2ofusMelb
Melbourne, Australia154 contributions
I can't really help, but Cowra Information Centre would be your best bet. We found them very helpful.
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