The gorgeous Japanese Himeji Gardens are located on the Eastern side of Glen Osmond Road and South Terrace intersection. This little oasis in the Southern Parklands is a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of ‘normal life’.

Enter the gardens during daylight hours and you’ll instantly feel more peaceful. There is a lovely water feature that is home to large goldfish, ducks and turtles, there is also a waterfall under the trees too. 

Throughout the gardens there are lovely Japanese plantings and a well maintain Japanese rock Zen garden, or Karensansui.

Why Kids Will Love It:
Pond Adventures – Spot the koi fish swimming in the pond! How many can you count?
Secret Pathways & Bridges – Little explorers will love tiptoeing across the stepping stones and tiny wooden bridges.
Mini Zen Garden – Let the kids have a go at raking patterns in the sand and learning about mindfulness.
Frog Spotting – Listen closely! Can you hear the croaking of tiny frogs hiding in the reeds?
Pack a Picnic! There are plenty of shady spots to relax, so bring along some snacks or a Japanese-inspired lunch (think sushi or rice crackers!) and enjoy the serenity.
Perfect for Family Photos With beautiful cherry blossoms in season, tranquil water features, and lush greenery, it’s a stunning backdrop for capturing special family moments.
Fun Fact for Kids: The Himeji Gardens are a gift from Adelaide’s sister city in Japan, Himeji! It’s like a little piece of Japan right in our backyard!

Please respect the tranquillity of the Japanese Himeji Gardens. While we think all kids should be able to experience this wonderful place please understand that other garden visitors are probably here for the peace and calming qualities too. This isn’t a park for ball games and loud family gatherings – take the family across the road to the newly renovated Marshmallow Park or South Terrace Glover Playground which are perfect for that!

Adelaide Japanese Himeji Gardens
Where: Cnr South Terrace and

You might also be interested in

  • Taking the kids to Fasta Pasta for a quality meal has been a South Australian staple for decades, and we are going to tell you why the South Terrace restaurant in Adelaide CBD is hands down the best one for families! Everyone has a favourite dish (personally my first every Chicken Parmy was at a Fasta Pasta when I was a kid!) From the pastas to pizza, salads and schnitzels. Whatever takes your fancy, Fasta Pasta will have something to offer even the fussiest of kids. Better yet it really is hard to beat the value, with an adult lunch meal (5 choices on offer) setting you back $12.90 and kids eat free on Monday and Tuesday (with every main meal). Outside of the kids eat free days, the kids meals at only $10.90 which include a drink and ice cream, plus you can add on a salad for just $2! This is such great value. The South Terrace location offers some really unique features which are sure to make us head back again and again, including the food delivering robot! Yep you read that right, they have a robot which brings the food right to your table. Book me…

  • Find it at: South Terrace Adelaide Another fully fenced park in the city, this South Terrace playground is located near the Unley/Pulteney Road intersection of the Parklands. Well equipped and better suited for slightly older kids than the one a few blocks West, this playground includes a good sized, seated flying fox, numerous toddler and regular swings, slides for all ages and spring rockers. It also has a sizable climbing net for older kids, a rock climbing wall, sandpits and importantly, is home to one of the few wheelchair friendly 'liberty swings', which we love. Other features include toilets, tables, water fountain and covered areas. Most of the play equipment is not fully shaded. Outside the large, fenced playground there are numerous playing fields and a basketball court.

  • Marshmallow Park, is a fantastic all-rounder for families. The fully fenced play-space combines traditional playground favourites with nature play, climbing, sand and plenty of water play in the warmer months. There’s lots of space to explore, along with shady trees, picnic areas, BBQs and accessible facilities, making it an easy spot to settle in for a few hours. Find it at: Glen Osmond Road, Adelaide, within Pelzer Park/Pityarilla. Good for: Toddlers through to primary-aged kids, with plenty to keep different ages entertained. Best for: Water play, climbing, slides, swings, sand play, nature play and exploring. Older kids will also enjoy the larger climbing equipment and nearby Oxbow Playspace. Toilets: Yes, including an accessible toilet. Shade: Yes. The large established Moreton Bay fig trees provide plenty of natural shade around the playspace and picnic areas. Fenced: Yes. The main Marshmallow Park playspace is fully fenced, making it a great option for families with younger children. Accessible: Yes. The playspace includes accessible play elements, pathways and water-play features, with accessible BBQ and toilet facilities also available. Parking: Street parking is available along Glen Osmond Road, with time restrictions applying. Cafe or food nearby: There isn't a cafe directly at the playground, but…