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TheBuenos Aires Japanese Gardens (Spanish:Jardín Japonés de Buenos Aires;Japanese:ブエノスアイレス日本庭園) are a public space administered by thenon-profitJapanese Argentine Cultural Foundation inBuenos Aires,Argentina. They are among the largestJapanese gardens in the world outsideJapan.
Following the demolition of a similar, smaller garden in theRetiro area, the Japanese Argentine Cultural Foundation secured a title to 2 hectares (4.9 acres) on the northeast corner of the city's extensiveParque Tres de Febrero for the purpose of creating a replacement. Completed in 1967, the gardens were inaugurated on occasion of a State visit to Argentina by then-Crown PrinceAkihito and PrincessMichiko of Japan.
Its entrance onFigueroa Alcorta Avenue led to the gardens, a cultural center, restaurant, agreenhouse known for its collection ofbonsai trees and a gift shop featuring an extensive selection of Asian garden seeds, as well as craftwork made by artisans on the grounds. The central lake is crossed by the Divine Bridge, traditionally representing entry into Heaven and by the Truncated Bridge, leading to an island where Japanese medicinal herbs are grown.
The lake is surrounded byflora of Japan, such assakura,katsura,momiji andazalea. The park, however, also features complementing species native toSouth America, notablytipa andfloss silk trees. The lake itself is populated withcarp. Small numbers of epiphytic bromeliads of genus Tillandsia can be seen as well as one orchid of the widespread and diverse genus Oncidium.
The park is also graced by aJapanese Peace Bell and a largeishidoro (石灯ろう Japanese stone lanterns central to theirBuddhist traditions), as well as numerous othergranite sculptures. A JapaneseBuddhist Temple is maintained on the grounds and the Institute also hosts regular cultural activities for the general public.
Alfred Zucker designed an open-air theatre for the park.[1]
34°34′31.2″S58°24′33.8″W / 34.575333°S 58.409389°W /-34.575333; -58.409389
