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ACT, Australia, Australian Capital Territory, canberra, Japanese blossoms, Japanese Gardens, Lennox Gardens, Nara Peace Park, Yarralumla
A lovely Japanese themed garden in Canberra
I came across this park whilst visiting the Chinese Gardens here in Canberra. All you have to do is continue walking from the Chinese Gardens and you in the gardens. You can’t really miss them and whilst they are very small they are lovely to walk through especially on a sunny day with views across Lake Burley Griffin.
The gardens were a gift from the people of the ancient city of Nara in Japan to the people of Canberra and celebrate the sister city link between Canberra and Nara. Design and construction was carried out by local designers and contractors who consulted closely with the city of Nara and the Embassy of Japan.
You can enter through a large traditional wooden gate…
And walk along beautiful paved pathways…
Whilst enjoying a number of iconic cherry blossom trees. The planting scheme is mostly trees, groundcover plantings and specimen shrubs. The trees include twenty-four cherry blossoms, four Crepe Myrtles, ten Japanese Maples, and one Japanese Red Pine. Shrubs include Japanese Lily of the Valley, one of Japan’s earliest spring bloomers which is still the most common shrub grown in the city of Nara’s parks because the deer will not eat it.
Central to the park is the eight-metre tall pagoda, crafted by a Japanese sculptor. It stands as a miniature replica of Empress Komyoh’s towering pagoda, which was erected in Nara in 725AD. Other structures within the park are two large tōrōs, or Japanese lanterns, which weigh five and three tonnes respectively. And the World Peace Bell… The 350-kilo brass bell came from Japan and is a replica of the peace bell at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Its design includes 103 coins from nations of the UN.
The bell will usually be rung annually on World Peace Day in September. That date also coincides with the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly, and national and international days of remembrance and celebration.And the final structure is a ‘Toku‘ which was commissioned to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of Nara. The sculpture has three main elements: A five-storied pagoda form which represents Canberra; a floating stone representing Nara; and the form of a small bird symbolising peace. The bird resembles a Latham’s Snipe, a species which migrates annually between Japan and Canberra (long way to go!!). A really lovely place to visit and enjoy the peacefulness and beauty.
Little Miss Traveller said:
The gardens look beautiful Sue – it’s supposed to be Spring here but you wouldn’t know it. Ice on the windscreen this morning resulted in freezing cold fingers, still the sun is shining so that’s an improvement. Here in Yorkshire we have crocus in bloom but the daffodils are just poking their heads out of the ground. Happy Easter! Marion.
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Snapshotsincursive said:
Breathtaking. 🌸
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Amy said:
How beautiful, all are beautifully captured. Thank you so much for the lovely tour, Sue! :)
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Emma Cownie said:
Looks really lovely. I love cherry blossom. It was very calming to read your post about a place dedicated to peace.
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Marta said:
So you have both a Chinese and a Japanese garden! How interesting.
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JohnRH said:
Beautiful!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Oh my goodness Marion. That is so not spring!!!! But love the thought of your gorgeous bulbs blooming how special. Happy Easter to you too. X
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much Gail.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks so much Amy. X
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks so much Emma.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yeah. Very lucky. They are small but so nice to have.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much John.
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Rotwein Wanderer said:
I thought you had travelled to Nara!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
No I haven’t unfortunately.
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mavimet said:
What a beautiful park – thanks for giving us a tour Sue.
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Rotwein Wanderer said:
Maybe someday!
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vinneve said:
I like the place!
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reocochran said:
What a beautiful place to find peace and serenity, Sue! The big brass peace bell and Japanese lanterns were gorgeous, while the stone paths which are set into clay make the paths so attractive! ❤️
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Sophie said:
Hi Sue, what a great place, so Japan-feel ! Linking cities always brings in nice constructions and events, and I must say that receiving a garden as a gift from Nara is extraordinary! I got so surprised to see that, beside the traditional and mandatory pagoda, the garden also hosts a World Peace Bell. Why surprised? Because I saw a similar one from afar a few years ago in Jerusalem, and didn’t know what it was at that time. I’ve learnt something today, thank you for that, and it also made me go through my old pictures of this trip and my other trip to Nara as well (all fond memories to recall and start the day very well!).
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you so much R hope you are having a lovely day.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hi Sophie. Great comments and so glad you looked through old photos. Always lovely to do that and especially as you have seen another peace bell. Wow. X
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sileas said:
The trees look so lush and green! Japanese Gardens are so well designed, they indeed are the perfect symbol for peace. I wonder if Canberra gave something in return to Nara? 😀
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Actually I don’t know that sorry Julia but I am glad Nara gave the gardens to us.
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JoHanna Massey said:
I enjoy so much coming upon posts about areas on the planet where Peace has been acknowledged, honored, and valued. Signs of peace on the websites of global internet pals are gentle pauses in the day. This one is so quiet and learning of the Peace Bells just brings a smile to my face. Thank you for sharing this SueT
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sidran said:
I like this peace walk. Your pictures reflect its serenity and solitude.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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twobrownfeet said:
Beautiful pictures! Have you visited Nara in Japan? It was my favourite place.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you again. Unfortunately no I haven’t had the opportunity to visit Nara.
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