Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge has received a special designation.
The popular site has been named one of the nine inspiring historical gardens by the National Trust of Canada.
Eric Granson, marketing and events manager for Nikka Yuko says the news came as a pleasant surprise.
“What’s wonderful about it though is that we’re considered an inspiring historical garden and to me, we all feel that way here, being inspiring but it’s really cool just to hear that our story and our history is really resonating with the rest of the people of Canada,” he says.
Granson adds Nikka Yuko has a “great story to tell” and it is a treat to be able to share that with the rest of the country through this national recognition.
He explains the Japanese Garden did not apply to be on the list, and says the whole team greatly appreciates the recognition.
“It was nice to hear that they appreciated us without us having to do any sort of correspondence or contacting them in any way, so it was certainly a wonderful surprise.”
The full list of inspiring historical gardens across Canada is available here.
Granson says tourists and residents alike can experience a variety of programs at Nikka Yuko. For Canada Day on July 1, the garden will host a viewing of the fireworks display, presented by the City of Lethbridge, weather permitting.
“We have a great day planned with some Taiko drumming that’s happening that day and people can come inside the garden and watch the fireworks. They literally shoot them off right by us, so it’s probably one of the best spots in the entire city,” Granson says.
Other staples for the season include Food Truck Friday, with a variety of food trucks set up in the Nikka Yuko parking lot every Friday until September 13.
Granson adds they are hosting a Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) July 5, 6 and 7. That will include an origami workshop, dancers and more.
“On the 7th, we’re doing an artist in the garden event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the garden, where we’ll have 15-plus artists inside the garden to display their art, sell their art to people in there,” he says.
“We’ll also do some poetry readings and even have a Japanese flute player come and visit from Vancouver, so it’s going to be a ton of fun that weekend.”
Further details about the programming at the garden is at the Nikka Yuko website.