The Edogawa Commemorative Garden is a beautiful peaceful space located in the Gosford Regional Gallery precinct. Gosford formed a Sister City Agreement with Edogawa, Japan in 1988. A gift from Edogawa, the Garden was officially opened in September 1994 and has been designed in accordance with the original principles of the Japanese Heian period (700AD).
Extending over 4,000m2, the garden is based on a traditional ‘shuyu’ (strolling style) garden, incorporating Japanese features. With meandering pathways, a roofed Japanese pavilion overlooking the Koi pond, raked dry stone garden and traditional Japanese teahouse, the garden offers a tranquil setting in which to relax and enjoy art and nature.
The roofed pavilion overlooking the Koi pond is a popular choice for wedding ceremonies, and children love feeding the fish from the ornamental bridge. Bags of fish food are available from the gallery shop. Guided tours of the garden for groups and organisations can be arranged.
For more information about group and school visits – go to the Learn page
The garden is open daily and entry is free.
Weddings in the Garden
The garden offers a beautiful outdoor venue for weddings and other functions. Weddings are normally held in the Koi Pavilion, which provides limited shelter. This space is suitable for small intimate weddings, naming ceremonies and other functions. The surrounding outdoor space is large enough to cater for wedding parties of up to 150 people.
As the garden is a gift to the people of Gosford, public access throughout normal opening times (9.30am - 4.00pm) must be maintained. Wedding parties and other special events do not have exclusive use during these hours.
Fee
The hire fee is $562 for a one and a half hour booking. A $250 deposit is required at the time of booking; with the remaining balance to be paid one week prior to event. Booking is only secure upon the receipt of a deposit.
Booking times
Bookings can be made for a maximum period of one and a half hours; this includes allocated time for set up and photography. Bookings are made in two hour time slots to avoid events clashing. Events concluding after 4.30pm will require additional staffing and may incur an additional fee.
Wedding Photogrpahy
The Edogawa Commemorative Garden makes a perfrect backdrop to capture your special day. Time for photography is allowed in your ceremony booking, however if you are having your ceremony elsewhere you can still book to have photographs in the Garden. Bookings are essential and the fee is $223 per hour.
Download the photography booking form
Set up
The gallery’s reception staff will be on-site to assist you with the smooth running of your special day. Your booking includes a table for signing the registry along with limited seating (max 10 chairs), additional seating and decorations must be organised with external providers. Confetti, rice, party poppers, rose petals and fireworks are not permitted at anytime.
Wet weather
As the garden is primarily an outdoor venue, event organisers should be prepared for the possibility of inclement weather. There are several options:
- the outdoor Koi pavilion is a sheltered structure which accommodates up to 25 people
- the outdoor tea house offers more protection and accommodates up to 25-40 people standing
- other spaces in the gallery building need to be booked and may incur an additional fee.
Receptions
Top Point Café is the onsite caterer. For further information, please call them on 02 4324 8099 or visit their website (https://www.toppointcafe.com.au/weddings/)
For more information or to make a booking, phone 4304 7550 or email gallery@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Tours
We can help you organise your group visit, including guided tours of our latest exhibition or the beautiful serene Edogowa Comemorative Gardens. There is free bus parking on site and access to picnic areas and barbeques in the surrounding parklands. We recommend you allow approximately two hours to tour the gallery and gardens.
For enquiries please contact the gallery by phone or email. To book, please complete and return the Group Tour Booking Form
Sister city
Our sister city relationship with Edogawa City Council in Japan is all about promoting friendship, cooperation and cultural exchange. In 2018, Council celebrated the 30th anniversary of the relationship by re-signing the sister city agreement.
During the last thirty years the sister city agreement has delivered many benefits for the Central Coast including the establishment of the Edogawa Commemorative Gardens adjacent to the Gosford Regional Gallery, Mayoral and dignitary visits, staff exchange and a youth exchange program.
Edogawa, Japan
Sister City since: 1988
Location: Tokyo Metropolis
Area: 49.90 square kilometres
Climate: Warm and temperate
Distance from Central Coast: 7,761km
Population: 682,418
Website: www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp
Resources
The Edogawa Commemorative Garden is a spectacular outdoor venue and provides a beautiful natural landscape for photography. The Garden was a gift to the people of Gosford from our sister city, Edogawa. The Garden is open to the public from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm every day. Photography and filming in the Gosford Edogawa Commemorative Garden is only permitted with the approval of the Centre Management. This includes, but is not limited to wedding photography, portraiture, fashion shoots, filming and any other organised activity. Please return this form to gallery@centralcost.nsw.gov.au well in advance of your preferred date, and await booking confirmation from Gallery staff.