Japanese Garden established in Athens as cultural bridge

A Japanese Garden has been established in Athens, covering approximately 3,500 square meters near the National Gallery in Nereidides Park. The project was developed under the Municipality of Athens’ ‘Adopt Your City’ program, supported by JTI Hellas and under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Greece.

The garden serves as a cultural bridge between Greece and Japan, allowing citizens to engage with Japanese philosophy and nature. It features seven distinct zones that combine Japanese plant species with Mediterranean flora to ensure sustainability and harmony with the local landscape. Authentic elements include a torii gate, a tsukubai stone water basin, and an Oribe-style stone lantern.

Completed in 2022, the site’s opening was celebrated with the first Natsu Matsuri, a traditional Japanese summer festival. Ko Shiratori, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Greece, described the garden as a link between the two nations and a space for direct contact with Japanese culture.