Kasugai Gardens – a bit of Zen in downtown Kelowna
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September brings a quieter season for Kelowna after its traditionally bustling summer. The weather is crisp, the skies are that crystal clear blue, and you may be looking for somewhere to stroll or sit quietly with your thoughts. That place is Kasugai Garden, behind City Hall.
Photo by Christina Symons
Completed in 1987, the Kasugai Gardens were created in friendship for Kelowna’s sister city, Kasugai, Japan. We’ve been sister-cities since 1981, and there are many examples of this relationship throughout Kelowna. The 3-acre garden feature traditional elements of a Japanese garden: tranquility, a thoughtfully-arranged environment, and sitting-nooks that invite reflection.
Photo by Christina Symons
The garden is walled, and this gives you a real sense that you’ve arrived somewhere special. At its entrance is a sculpture and plaque, giving the details on the garden. The sculpture is one of Kelowna’s pieces of public art, and was created by prominent artist, Geert Maas.
The garden’s location behind City Hall means that it is tucked away and a bit secret. When you get to Kasugai, you’ll see that it is a serene space conducive to nature. A meandering pathway allows people to stroll all the way around the garden, with benches for sitting in the shade. There is also a waterfall and a pond with Koi fish that swim between the Lillypads, bridges, thoughtfully placed stone lanterns that invite reflection, and vegetation like Japanese maples, reeds, and moss.
People go there for a peaceful walk, to take pictures, get some perspective on life, and even get married (small ceremonies work well here). A stroll through Kasugai Gardens is free – it is there for everyone to enjoy. I highly recommend visiting this gorgeous tribute to our sister city. The gardens are beautifully maintained by the City of Kelowna. It is a true piece of Zen in downtown Kelowna.
