The Japanese garden was designed by Kanjiro Harada, a landscape architect from Yaizu, Japan, Hobart’s sister city. The Garden officially opened in 1987. It emphasises traditional Japanese garden elements of wood, stone and water. This project involved a reciprocal Australian garden design project for Hobart’s Japanese sister city. The plants in the Garden largely consist of species native to Japan and selected cultivars, with Japanese maples a feature, particularly in autumn. The waterway with its associated tea house, waterwheel and bridges, acts as a focal point for the central plantings.
It’s beautiful in every season, with cherry blossom in spring then irises and water lilies in summer. The stunning Japanese maples put on a dazzling display in autumn, followed by the winter tracery of their bare branches. There are numerous conifers of all shapes, sizes and colours plus a plethora of Camellias and Azaleas that have abundant flowers from June till September.
The garden is a popular location for weddings and photographs (see below for details). It is a relatively secluded spot in the Gardens and a great place for relaxation and contemplation in a busy city.
For information on hiring sites for private functions, go to the Venue Hire page.