Places of significance


Canberra Nara Peace Park

Canberra Nara Peace Park was officially opened on 9 October 1999 by the then ACT Chief Minister, Ms Kate Carnell MLA. Located within Lennox Gardens, on the shores of Lake Burley-Griffin, the creation of the park is a corner stone in the history of Canberra's sister city relationship with Nara.

Canberra Nara Peace Park is the setting for the annual Canberra Nara Candle Festival. Held each spring, this popular community event features a magnificent display of 2000 candles. The Festival's popularity is a testament to the warm regard Canberran's have for Nara and the lively interest Australians have in Japanese culture. More than a symbol of the strong friendship between Canberra and Nara, the Festival is also an expression of a shared commitment to world peace. Nara's Tokae candle festival held each summer, was the inspiration for the Canberra Nara Candle Festival.

More information on Canberra Peace Nara Park External link

Canberra Nara Peace Park flyer [icn_pdfPDF 679 KB]

Book Canberra Peace Nara Park external link

More information about the Canberra Nara Candle Festival

Canberra Nara Grove

Nara Grove was officially opened on 13 June 2002. Located at Black Mountain Peninsula on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, Nara Grove features Australian native trees and shrubs.

Tree planting ceremonies regularly take place at Nara Grove. Symbolic of the strong friendship between Canberra and Nara, each planting marks a visit to Canberra by an official delegation from Nara.

The most recent planting by Mayor of Nara, Mr Akira Fujiwara and Chief Minister, Mr Jon Stanhope MLA, marked the 15th anniversary of Canberra's sister city relationship with Nara. They planted a eucalyptus tree at Nara Grove, on 20 February 2008.

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Pictured left are Dr Michelle Bruniges, former Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Department of Education and Training and Mr Hori, Principal of Tezukayama Elementary School, Nara planting a eucalyptus tree on 29 March 2006. The planting marked the establishment of a sister school agreement between St Monica's Primary, Evatt and Tezukayama Elementary School, Nara.