A Japanese-style garden located in Scotland has been hailed as a ‘hidden gem’ that boasts peaceful walks and stunning scenery – and it’s just 36 miles outside of Edinburgh
09:07, 19 Apr 2025Updated 09:08, 19 Apr 2025
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The hidden gem combines Japanese architecture with the Scottish countryside (file)(Image: Getty Images)
Discover a slice of Japan in the heart of Scotland with these “magical” gardens.
While many people have a passion for travel, frequent globe-trotting isn’t always financially or practically possible. Japan, in particular, is on many travellers’ bucket lists due to its unique combination of tantalising cuisine, vibrant urban centres, and tranquil rural landscapes.
However, Japan is more than 9,000 miles from Scotland. Round-trip flights to Tokyo cost about £800 from Edinburgh and require a hefty 17-hour journey. But if time and money are tight, you needn’t worry – you can still experience the serene beauty of Japanese landscapes right here in Scotland.
A TikTok video by Chrisy Brownlie has brought attention to a hidden gem that blends traditional Japanese garden design with the picturesque Scottish backdrop.
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The Japanese Garden at Cowden sits just outside the town of Dollar, roughly 36 miles away from Edinburgh. Open for visitors six days a week – closed only on Tuesdays – the gardens ask for an entrance fee of £9.85 for adults and £5.75 for children, with the youngest visitors under five entering free of charge.
In Chrisy’s video, he praised the gardens, saying: “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.”
On TripAdvisor, the gardens boast more than 170 five-star reviews, with visitors stating that they’re the closest thing to “seeing a genuine Japanese garden without going to Japan”.
One reviewer was struck by the beauty, noting: “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 commented on the authenticity and calm of the gardens: “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. The structures and stone features complete the Japanese theme.”
Viewers of Chrisy’s video were quick to express their eagerness to visit the breathtaking spot. One commenter said: “Thank you for this. I never knew about it, but I will be taking the family in the summer now.”
AloJapan.com