The Cowra Japanese Garden covers 5 hectares and is the largest Japanese Garden in the southern hemisphere.

Cowra has a special significance to the Japanese. The relationship between Cowra and Japan started on a cold night in August 1944. More than a 1000 Japanese prisoners of war broke out of the prison camp. The 231 Japanese soldiers who died in the escape were buried nearby, and local members of the Returned Serviceman’s League (RSL) tended their graves. As mutual respect grew over the years between Japan and the citizens of Cowra, the idea of a garden which would be a symbolic representation of the landscape of Japan emerged.

Many Japanese believe that the Buddha willed the Cowra citizens to create this garden so that the spirits of the Japanese soldiers could rest in peace.

While there, we enjopyed breakfast at the lovely cafe in the grounds.