Japanese Gardens - Ju Raku En

Located with in the University of Southern Queensland is one of the most peaceful and beautiful parks in Toowoomba. The Japanese Garden is situated on a 4.5 hectare site and is Australia's largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll garden.

A mountain stream, waterfall, dry Garden, central lake, Azalea Hill, 3 kilometers of paths, 230 species of Japanese and Australian native trees and plants, and lawns combine in a seamless and restful harmony. The emphasise is the use of rocks to create three dimensional pictures in stone. All the large rocks in Ju Raku En were accurately placed by the designer of the garden, Professor Kinsaku Nakane of Kyoto, so as to appear naturally dispersed in a random way.

The garden is actually a presentation of a Buddhist paradise with the celestial sea (the lake) lapping the rocky shores of the three islands. The material world is the outer edge of the lake and a symbolic journal to paradise may be made by crossing one of the four bridges to the islands.

The master plan for Ju Raku En and the design for the community building and tea house were prepared in Japan after site analysis and intensive background studies by staff of the Nakane Garden Research. Construction commenced in 1983 after 3 years of planning.

It is estimated that over 50,000 per year visit the gardens. Most visitors stroll through the garden or relax on the seat near the Dry Garden; it is not uncommon to see an artist quietly painting a scene or children feeding bread to the fish or birds, which include swans, ducks, geese and smaller natives. It is a popular venue for weddings: spring weddings are often held under the mass of lilac blossoms hanging from the Wisteria Pergola, while other couples choose to be married in front of the waterfall or under the Viewing Pavilion on one of the islands.