About Us

The Japanese War Cemetery contains graves of the Japanese involved in the POW Breakout during World War Two, as well as other internees and those involved with the battle of Darwin. The land was ceded to Japan in 1963, thus Cowra has its own little piece of Japan. A large black granite monument dominates the Cemetery and the burning of incense, wreaths and gifts can be seen at the Cemetery after Official Functions. This is the only Japanese War Cemetery in Australia. The Australian section commemorates those who died in training at the local Military Camp, as well as the four Soldiers who were killed during the breakout. The Cowra War Cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and has become a showpiece for modern military cemeteries.