This traditional garden is inspired by the treasured Japanese culture of ‘omotenashi’, the concept of wholehearted and sincere hospitality, and the wish to invoke this feeling in guests to the garden. The planting is based on Ikenobo, a type of Japanese flower arranging dating from the 15th century, with the placement of plants and distribution of colour carefully considered in relation to the space.
The key feature of the garden is an octagonal Azumaya, or garden house, which is covered by roof material made of copper. There’s also a central pond surrounded by Japanese maples. The natural sound of water falling onto rock encourages the forgetting of time and the feeling of eternity.