Japanese gardens have been built in Japan since the 8th Century. They were inspired by Chinese landscape painting and the spirit of nature.

Japan opened to global trade in the 19th Century followed by a greater interest in Japanese culture.

A Japanese Garden was created here in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens by 1930. Over the decades the Japanese character of the garden declined, leaving only a few Japanese maples, and was virtually forgotten.

Restoration work began in 2017 to bring the heritage of the garden alive again and finished in 2018.

The garden is called ‘Shijima’ the Japanese word for serenity and stillness. *

*from a signboard next to the garden