Japanese Street Names in Leura & Hazelbrook

Japanese sailors at Taronga Zoo, 1924
Australian National Maritime Museum

In the latter part of the 19^th Century and the early 20^th Century, Japanese art and culture had a widespread influence on Western art, interior design, music, fashion and textiles. Many Australians, like others in Europe and elsewhere, were fascinated by things Japanese. Japanese Navy training squadrons twice entered Sydney Harbour, in 1903 and 1906, to enthusiastic receptions. During the 1906 visit, Katoomba Municipal Council extended a formal invitation to the officers and men of the fleet to visit the Blue Mountains, and a number of new streets were named in their honour, one other street was given a Japanese name in 1922. However following the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1942, the Japanese names were changed as follows.

Japanese name 1906                                                    New Name 1942

Ito Pde, Leura                                                             Britain St

Iwasaki Pde, Leura                                                     Franklin St

Kamimura Lane, Leura (1922)                                    Victory Lane

Kamimura Pde, Leura                                                 Winston St

Togo Ave, Hazelbrook                                                Cunningham St

Togo Pde, Leura                                                         Churchill St

Tokio Rd, Leura                                                          Roosevelt St

John Merriman

Local Studies Librarian

 References:

* Street Whys, the Origins of Blue Mountains City Street Names. Christopher J Woods, 1997.

* Minute Books, Katoomba Municipal Council, 1906, 1922,