Landscape professionals Yoshinori Kagiya and Yasuhiro Kondoh arrived in Dubbo last week and will stay until this Thursday.

They are here to share their specialist knowledge about traditional Japanese gardening techniques and advise staff about ongoing maintenance at the gardens.

The pair set up the tea ceremony in the Jurian Tea House at the gardens on Friday, where cushions were laid in a circle and powdered green tea was prepared in a tranquil setting.

A translator for the visitors said they were “very impressed with the heart of Dubbo and Dubbo people”.

She said the tea ceremony was not only to share Japanese culture, but also “to communicate through the ceremony”.

Mr Kondoh has visited Dubbo to maintain the gardens for the past three years. He also visited in 2002 to construct the gardens.

It was Mr Kagiya’s first visit, but he said he was enjoying the experience and the people in the city.

Council’s manager of parks and landcare operations Murray Wood said the city was privileged to have the special guests.

“It is particularly important because the gardens were a gift from Dubbo’s sister city Minokamo - a relationship which has shown peace and goodwill between the two cities for more than two decades.”

Mr Wood said the shared expertise would ensure Shoyoen’s place as a first-class regional tourist attraction.

“Shoyoen has been named as one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens in the State so these visits will ensure that council maintains this standard of excellence,” he said.

carly.dolan@ruralpress.co m