Stand-in photo, not this place: A Japanese garden somewhere else.
Kawachinagano Japanese Garden
Japanese garden
About
The Kawachinagano Japanese Garden is a public garden on the south side of Carmel City Hall, at Civic Square. It honors Carmel's oldest sister city, Kawachinagano in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It is open daily and free.
The garden has winding paths, a sculptural gateway, lantern and crane sculptures, groupings of boulders and a pond ringed with trees. Cherry trees bloom here in spring.
History
The city's timeline lists the garden's dedication in 2009, tied to the 15th anniversary of the sister city relationship. Designer Hoichi Kurisu, a former landscape director for the Japanese Garden Society in Oregon, led a redesign. The garden reopened in 2026 with a refined pond, new northern garden landscaping and more room for stormwater. A ribbon cutting took place on May 3, 2026, at the start of Japan SpringFest. The City of Carmel and Clay Township paid for the work, and Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation looks after the garden.
When to go
Carmel park rules set hours from sunrise to sunset. Visit Hamilton County puts cherry blossom season between March and May. Japan SpringFest, a free festival at Civic Square, was held on May 3, 2026. Its 2027 date wasn't posted when this was checked.
Good to know
More building is under way. Carmel Clay Parks said in August 2026 that its next phase would start in October 2026 and finish by spring 2027, adding a waterfall and extending the garden toward the south pond. A second phase, projected for spring 2027, adds a loop trail around the pond, benches, prairie and trees. The announcement doesn't mention closing the garden, so expect some construction nearby.
Price
Free. The garden is open to the public daily.
Prices checked November 2026 on the website of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation. They can change, so check before you go.
Run Kawachinagano Japanese Garden? Offer a coupon here for free.
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