The festival held on May 4 and May 5, was the brainchild of Garden Director, Darren Mitchell, and fell on the Japanese holidays of Greenery Day and Children's Day.

Celebrating a number of Japanese traditions with workshops and demonstrations the festival also formally recognised the individuals and organisations that donated to the Garden during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Speaking at the festival's official function on Tuesday night Chairman of the Garden Board, Bob Griffiths, said that support was greatly appreciated.

"Following the cancellation of last year's Sakura Matsuri it was felt the garden had an obligation to promote Japanese art and culture in some way," he said.

"Thus, the concept of an Autumn Festival was conceived by my fellow director Daren Mitchell.

"The garden was forced to close to the public for two months last year, taking away our only source of income, which came during a time when we were already facing reduced visitation as a result of the bushfire crisis and the smoke haze that covered most of this area," Mr Griffiths said.

That closure led to a public fundraising campaign to ensure the Garden was able to be maintained to the highest standard.

Mr Griffiths said the campaign had been extremely successful with over $100,000 being donated by individuals, organisations and the general public in Japan and Australia.

"We were facing a pretty bleak situation, but the public fundraising was beyond our wildest dreams," he said.

"As a result we've been able to fully maintain our staff levels and our demanding maintenance schedule, this would not have been possible without that wonderful support.

"In recent months the garden and the Central West of NSW has benefited greatly from intrastate tourism and we are now back on a firm financial footing baring any return to COVID restrictions," he said.

Cowra Mayor, Cr Bill West, said the Garden and the festival played an important role in the warm relationship between Australia and Japan.

"I have no doubt this festival will be a success and continue to become a regular highlight of the Cowra/Japan relationship and indeed the Australia/Japan relationship," he said.

"Council congratulates the board of the Garden on this initiative which deepens and adds another layer to an already vibrant relationship.

"From 1944 and the breakout to the RSL men who tended the graves way back in the late 40s and early 50s, through to today the legacy created by those before us will continue to deepen.

"I'm sure that will deepen with both respect and dignity for a story that needs to be told for many, many years to come," Cr West said.

Also speaking at the function, Japanese Ambassador Shingo Yamagami congratulated the Garden on the inaugural festival.

"Koyo or autumn leaves are to the Japanese autumn what cherry blossoms are to spring," he said.

"A century old Japanese past time of admiring nature undergo change, celebrating what one could describe as the alter ego of hanami or cherry blossom viewing.

"This new festival will wonderfully compliment its sister event, the Sakura Matsuri, which I very much look forward to attending later this year.

"The Koyo Matsuri marks a new chapter for the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre after what has been a difficult time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thanks to your tireless efforts the Garden and Centre have been beautifully maintained during its closure, ensuring its survival."

Ambassador Yamagami again reiterated the importance of Cowra to the bi-lateral relationship between Australia and Japan.

"It can be perfectly summed up in the words of former Ambassador Hatakenaka Atsushi who said 'Cowra is the spiritual home of Japan/Australia relations'," he said.

"Historically Cowra represents a tragic time in both Japanese and Australian history but today it is a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

"Cowra was the very foundation of our two countries friendship, Japan and Australia have gone from being on opposing sides to the same side and today we can say we enjoy a great friendship."

The Ambassador reflected on the history of the Cowra Breakout saying he was "profoundly moved by Cowra's sincere consideration and thoughtful gesture to my home country."

"The Japanese and Australian relationship is developing at a remarkable speed, but we must not forget the role of Cowra and its history plays in its relationship," he said

"The Japanese War Cemetery, Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, World Peace Bell, Sakura Matsuri, Sakura Avenue and the Cowra/Seikei student exchange, these are the milestones of the peace process between Japan and Cowra and more broadly Japan and Australia.

"I'm confident Koyo Matsuri will become one of these, so congratulations again on your very first Koyo Matsuri."