A little-known Japanese garden in Scotland has been described by visitors as the closest you can get to seeing a “genuine Japanese garden without going to Japan” – and it’s just an hour from Edinburgh
The ‘magical’ garden is just an hour outside of Edinburgh(Image: Ken Jack, Getty Images)
You could immerse yourself in a tranquil Japanese garden without ever setting foot outside Scotland.
If Japan has always been on your travel wishlist but the expense of such a trip feels out of reach, then discovering a Japanese garden nestled in the heart of Scotland could be the perfect alternative. International travel doesn’t come cheap, and with return flights from Edinburgh to Japan starting at around £800 – plus the prospect of enduring a 17-hour journey – it can quickly feel like an unattainable dream.
If that’s enough to put you off the idea, fear not, because you can savour the essence of the Japanese countryside without ever leaving Scottish soil – and at a fraction of the cost.
A TikTok video posted by Chrisy Brownlie brought attention to a little-known garden retreat that beautifully blends traditional Japanese architecture with Scotland’s breathtaking hills and lochs.
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The Japanese Garden at Cowden sits just outside the town of Dollar, roughly 36 miles from Edinburgh. The gardens welcome visitors six days a week, with Tuesdays being the only day of closure. Adult admission is priced at £9.85, children’s tickets are £5.75, and under-fives are admitted free of charge.
In Chrisy’s video, he said of the gardens: “Did you know that in Scotland, there is a beautiful Japanese garden featuring a short walk around a loch? Consisting of traditional Japanese bridges, lanterns, plant life and structures, the garden is the only one of its type in the world to be designed by a Japanese woman – Taki Handa.
“These features work in harmony to create a space for reflection and relaxation, which reflects both Japanese aesthetics and the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside. The Japanese Gardens are a peaceful escape, offering visitors a chance to experience the harmony of nature through its carefully crafted design.”
The gardens’ TripAdvisor page boasts in excess of 170 five-star reviews, with visitors describing them as the closest experience to “seeing a genuine Japanese garden without going to Japan”.
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One reviewer wrote: “Beautiful Japanese garden, stunning landscaping, incredibly peaceful and relaxing to walk around. Lovely to also read about the history of this unusual garden. Great on-site cafe and gift shop. Highly recommend a visit.”
Another added: “This garden is about as close as you’ll get to seeing a genuine Japanese garden without going to Japan. Beautifully kept and very spacious, you can spend quite a while here enjoying the tranquil pathways.”
A third posted: “It has been on our list of places to visit for a long time but it was worth the wait. Beautiful location in the valley and views to the trees and hills beyond. Lots of Japanese and associated plants all carefully placed to enhance and not disturb the views.”
Viewers responding to Chrisy’s video were equally keen to pay the breathtaking spot a visit.
One commented: “Thank you for this. I never knew about it, but will be taking the family in the summer now.”
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