Miura Matsuri - Community celebration in the Japanese garden

We're opening up the gates to come and explore the Miura Friendship Garden, learn about the history of the site and enjoy a great day out!

Otsukimi is an autumn festival that translates to "moon-viewing" - an ancient Japanese tradition where people gather to admire the beauty of the full moon. In Peek Whurrong Country, it's the Moron time - the honey bee season, when many insects are active and the short-finned eels make their way to the ocean.

This event will blend Japanese and First Nations cultures to reflect the original intention of the garden with lots of interactive fun: 

• Listen - live performances sharing sounds and rhythms
• Play - have fun learning Japanese games including karuta, kendama
• Make - DIY tsukimi dango, a rice sweet eaten during the autumn harvest festival
• Craft - ikebana Japanese flower arranging demonstrations with beautiful combination of native plants
• Discover - seaweed workshops to learn about the different uses and try the flavours
• Weave - start your own basket by joining our weaving circle
• Tour - hear about the award-winning bush food garden and try some of the flavours
•  Eat - try making onigiri rice ball making with bush food flavours, gyoza dumplings, miso soup

The Miura Friendship Garden is a hidden treasure using Japanese garden design principles and built using indigenous plants and locally sourced materials. It highlights Warrnambool's 30+ year sister city relationship, with educational and cultural exchanges happening for decades. 

This event is proudly sponsored by the Victorian Government's Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events fund.