Himeji Garden

Himeji Garden is a perfect little pocket of Japan located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the work of famous Japanese landscape designer, Yoshitaka Kumada. It is a great place to get away from the hustle of the city and enjoy a picnic in some solitude. It is divided into two traditional areas; the kare sensui area with a rock garden and sensui area with lakes and mountains. There are beautiful trees, waterfalls and ponds in a natural setting. Visitors need to adopt a humble kneeling attitude and purify themselves by washing their hands at the Chozubachi (water bowl).

The steeping stones or Tobiishi stones around the garden aren’t just for show but to make the experience more mindful. The garden features beautiful water lilies, ducks, medaka fish and goldfish. There are also many yabbies and some long-necked tortoises. You can enjoy the sound of birds along with a clacking noise made by the Shishi-Odoshi which is a bamboo tube filling with water. Originally, it was used by farmers to scare off deer. The Black Pine, a classic bonsai subject symbolizing courage and other bonsai trees reside here. There is a granite lantern, Okunoin at the entrance which is a gift from the city of Himeji. Another symbol, a well-like structure with pure water is used for tea ceremonies.