Japan

Momijigari trail

Momijigari is the tradition of visiting places that are brimming with red leaves in autumn.

Follow our Momijigari trail across the Gardens and take in the spectacular seasonal displays of fiery foliage.

The trail will lead you to Japanese landmarks such as Chokushi-Mon, our Japanese Gateway, the Minka House and Ginkgo Grove.

Along the way, enjoy the wonderful displays in the Temperate House and visit the Marianne North Gallery to admire art of Japanese plants and landscapes.

Temperate House displays

Our magnificent Victorian glasshouse will be home to a large-scale artistic installation, One Thousand Springs, by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota.

The artwork will be an intricate construction of 5,000 haikus suspended in a web of red threads in the centre of the Temperate House.

Six varieties of Japan’s national flower, the chrysanthemum, will be on display with yellow, orange and white blooms. Kiku Matsuri (chrysanthemum festivals) feature across the country in autumn.

Soundscape in the Temperate House

Listen to the mesmerising soundscape by Yosi Horikawa, a self-taught Japanese sound designer, in the Temperate House.

He creates his unique pieces by capturing natural sound in Japan, from rocks thrown into pools to wind rustling through trees.

Weekend wonders

On weekend mornings in the Temperate House, busker ICHI, from Nagoya in Japan, takes the notion of a one-man band to new limits, combining his quirky handmade instrument inventions with steel-drum, ping-pong balls, typewriter, toys and everyday objects.

In the afternoon, KASHUŪ, the London-based Japanese calligrapher will perform giant calligraphy (shodō) art. The age-old tradition is a discipline of beauty and a search towards pure form and a peace within.