Bunka Centre
Bunka, pronounced boon-kah, means culture in Japanese. As the garden is known as the “Gem of the South” the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre will endeavour to engage the community and guests through cultural experiences and programs offered by the Society. The Bunka Centre will also provide space for the community to celebrate and gather for their own cultural purposes, events, and activities.
The Centre will be a hub for Henderson Lake users as a year-round space to enjoy, whether they are grabbing a coffee or tea from the café or immersing themselves in the interactive exhibits. In total, the
facility will include a dedicated exhibit space, two classroom/programming rooms, a café, and rentable spaces for meetings and community events, the largest with a capacity of 100 people.
Dr. Hironaka Garden Exhibition
Experience the history of Nikka Yuko inside the Dr. Robert Hironaka Exhibit Room. Featuring unique cultural artifacts donated to the Garden over the years.
Watch documentaries about Nikka Yuko’s history and development, including highlights from visits by members of the Japanese Imperial family.
The Dr. Robert Hironaka Exhibit Room is open during the Bunka Centre’s regular hours of operation.
Cleo’s Café
Come visit Cleo’s Café and enjoy amazing locally produced foods and drinks which include tea, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, and so much more! Take the chance to view the beautiful artwork by Hinode displayed inside the café.
Spend time with your loved ones on the best patio in Lethbridge, just outside the café doors.
Memory Capture Booth
Through a collaboration with the Nikkei Memory Capture Project, visitors to the Bunka Centre will be able to learn about the experiences of Japanese Canadians both through an interactive memory booth installation and a Time Map wall display that details the journey of Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta.
Led by Drs. Carly Adams (University of Lethbridge) and Darren Aoki (University of Plymouth), this project is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Arts and Humanities Research Council UK.
For more information, check out the Nikkei Memory Capture Project website: www.nmcp.com
Gift Shop
Looking for that perfect gift? We have just what you’re looking for. From post cards, calendars, chop sticks, lunchkits, books, fans, socks, and so much more!
You can check it out any time the Bunka Centre is open and you can find it right next to the box office.
Our Mission
我々の使命
The Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society, celebrates the influences of people of Japanese ancestry, narrating the history of this region through garden architecture, the natural environment, and the culture in Southern Alberta.
Corporate Sponsors
