The Japanese Garden of Peace

Nested in west London, the Japanese Garden of Peace is the oldest publicly owned garden of its type in the United Kingdom.
 

Established in 1910 for the Japan-British Exhibition, the Garden of Peace was one of the two major gardens built on the exhibition grounds that once stood in White City. 

 

A mixed Japanese and British workforce collaborated under the watchful eyes of expert garden builders from Japan. Every element, from the rocks, plants, and bridges to the intricately designed buildings and traditional lanterns, was carefully selected and transported from Japan to bring this vision to life.

 

Among its standout features were a magnificent painted backdrop depicting the tranquil beauty of Japanese mountains, a spacious pond crisscrossed by bridges, and an elegantly constructed pavilion perched over the water, inviting visitors into a world of serene beauty. 

 

Today, the Japanese Garden of Peace continues to grace the same grounds, a testament not only to its enduring legacy but also to the solidity of Japan-UK relations. Remarkably, a few of the trees that adorn the garden were planted during its inception for the exhibition, standing tall as silent guardians of this tranquil London corner. The pond, although smaller than its original expanse, still offers a glimpse into the past, echoing the enjoyment of the 8 million visitors who marvelled at its beauty over a century ago.

A stroll through the Japanese Garden of Peace is more than a mere walk; it's a journey back in time, a step into a living history that spans more than 100 years, preserving the cultural exchange and artistic vision that brought this garden to life.