A 1998 bicentennial project in conjunction with the Japanese government saw 1988 cherry blossom trees planted between the War Cemetery, Prisoner Of War Camp and the Japanese Gardens in Cowra, New South Wales.

A visual and cultural spectacular, the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year in the shadow of the brutality of WWII.

In 1944, 231 Japanese prisoners-of-war died trying to escape from POW Camp 12 outside Cowra during WWII. Preferring death in battle to the shame of imprisonment, nearly 1100 Japanese soldiers made a suicidal break for freedom. Most of those who died were shot by Australians, but some were killed by their own hands.

The Japanese and Australian flags are flown at the entrance to the Japanese Gardens. The Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the bond that exists between these two countries.

A traditional Japanese dancer takes to the stage erected in the gardens for this year’s festival.

Performers from the Tasmania University Union Taiko Society set the tempo for a cocktail evening in the gardens.

A performer tunes up his Koto, a 13-stringed instrument thought to have been introduced to Japanese music from China during the Nara Period (710-784 AD).

Musicians provide accompaniment for dancers performing in the gardens.

Despite the obvious Japanese influence within the gardens, the occasional kangaroo serves to remind visitors they are still in country New South Wales.

The brutality of war looms over Cowra’s springtime celebrations.

The Japanese Gardens are home to many cascading waterfalls.