Japanese Garden in Wrocław

The Japanese Garden in Wrocław lies within Szczytnicki Park and combines several types of Japanese garden: a public garden, a water garden, a tea garden and a stone beach. It was created between 1909 and 1913 on the initiative of Count Fritz von Hochberg of Iłowa.

How it was created

The garden was designed by the Japanese gardener Mankichi Arai, with the construction work directed by Joseph Anlauf. In 1913 the garden was the only exotic attraction presented at the Horticultural Exhibition, which formed part of the Centennial Exhibition.

Flood and reconstruction

In July 1997, during the flood of the century, the garden was under water for three weeks. The damage was so extensive that around 70 percent of the newly planted vegetation was lost, forcing a further reconstruction. It reopened in October 1999. Earlier, in 1996-1997, Professor Ikuya Nishikawa had prepared a renovation design to restore the garden's Japanese character, carried out in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan. At that time the pond's shoreline was also reshaped to resemble the Japanese character for friendship, and the garden was named Haku Koen, referring to the white and red colours of the Polish and Japanese flags.

How the garden is laid out

The visiting route begins at the main Sukiya-mon gate and leads across the Yumedono Bashi bridge over the pond, where it splits into two paths. One follows the pond's shore, from the gentle "female" cascade Onna-daki to the more forceful "male" cascade Otoko-daki. The other leads across the arched Taiko Bashi bridge to the Azumaya tea pavilion. The final element of the route is the side gate Fuku-mon.

Plants and the pond

About 200 species and varieties of trees and shrubs grow in the garden, of which nearly 100 come from the Far East, including 38 from Japan itself. The oldest trees are 200-year-old pedunculate oaks. The largest group of plants, represented by about 40 species and varieties, are rhododendrons. Koi carp swim in the pond; in Japanese symbolism they represent longevity, luck and courage, so watching them is a regular part of a walk through the garden.

Nearby

The garden borders Szczytnicki Park, home to Centennial Hall and the Four Domes Pavilion. Nearby is also the Wrocław Zoo with the section called the Afrykarium.

Practical information

• Location: Szczytnicki Park, Biskupin-Sępolno-Dąbie-Bartoszowice district, Wrocław
• Accessibility for wheelchair users is limited
• Opening hours and admission rules are worth checking before a visit, as the garden's website no longer shows current information