Aichi
▲ The Witch's Mouth
Behind the 'Witch's Mouth' stands a pair of tall bottlebrush trees. We proposed a species that aligned with the architect's vision. Selected specifically for their eerie silhouettes, these bottlebrush trees further enhance the witch's uncanny atmosphere.
▲Around the Entrance
Plantings centered on ornamental grasses sway lightly in the breeze, creating a refreshing impression. By introducing rhythm through varied plant heights, densities, and tones, we added a rich sense of depth to the space.
▲Restaurant Building (Flying Oven) Rooftop Plaza
We created a space where visitors can delight in the fragrant scent of herbs and a vibrant variety of colorful foliage.
▲Fountain Plaza
A Western garden-style plaza designed to harmonize with the film's world. Surrounding the fountain—modeled after the magic circle from Howl's Moving Castle—we arranged the plantings in a symmetrical layout.
▲Hatter's Hat Shop
In front of Hatter's Hat Shop lies an open, airy planting area centered on a lawn. Tree species native to Europe and North America, such as American sweetgum and London plane, evoke a distinctly exotic atmosphere.
▲ The Witch's House
In Director Goro Miyazaki's film Earwig and the Witch, even the specific types of garden plants were meticulously detailed. Faithfully reflecting this vision, numerous plant species actually depicted in the movie have been planted throughout the garden.
The path created behind 'The Witch's House' forms a lush, verdant space that feels seamlessly connected to the adjacent hillside.
The stonework around The Witch's House was crafted using traditional British dry stone walling. This dry-laid technique relies on interlocking stone faces without mortar or bonding agents, creating a remarkably sturdy structure.
▲ Howl's Castle
To capture the essence of the Wastes from the film Howl's Moving Castle, we deliberately left patches of bare ground and allowed naturally occurring weeds to remain, recreating the rugged atmosphere of the desolate landscape.
We used rubble stones to evoke the appearance of buried rocks gradually exposed at the surface as surrounding soil was weathered and eroded by wind and rain.
For the stepping stone path across the landscaped mound, we arranged the stones to prioritize safety while varying the layout to avoid monotony, allowing it to blend naturally with the surrounding landscape. By repurposing large boulders unearthed on-site as scenic feature stones, they became one of the defining focal points of the desolate wasteland.
▲The Okino Residence
This was one of the areas where we dedicated the greatest care to our planting approach, incorporating over 500 different plant species throughout the garden.
The design incorporated numerous rare cultivars rarely handled in conventional projects, making plant procurement a major challenge since many varieties were difficult to source or had been discontinued. Working in close communication with the architect, we successfully secured the plants by importing specimens from abroad and proposing alternatives with similar characteristics.
By laying stepping stones of Japanese Teppei stone, we created a strolling path that meanders through the garden. Bringing visitors right up to the flowers and the water channel, the space offers an immersive sensory experience where one can delight in the sweet scent of blooms and the gentle sound of flowing water.
▲View in May
▲View in November
As part of our ongoing maintenance, we rotate and replant seasonal annuals throughout the year. With the peak seasons for blooms and autumn foliage constantly transitioning, visitors are treated to a fresh, distinct landscape with every visit.
Each planting bed bordered by the pathways has its own designated color theme, planted with flowering species and colorful foliage tailored to that palette. As each section reveals a distinct character, visitors are warmly invited to stroll along the winding paths through the beds and take in the scenery.
【Comment from the Project Lead】
Because the Valley of Witches brings together architecture inspired by several different Studio Ghibli films, it was essential to tailor both our plant selections and planting layouts to capture the distinct atmosphere envisioned for each work.
While highlighting the signature character of each film around its respective building, we also drew in the surrounding hillside scenery, successfully creating a cohesive and harmonious landscape throughout the entire valley.
The seasonal transitions of the vegetation continuously transform the ambiance across the Valley of Witches, and we warmly invite visitors to experience the valley's distinct beauty across different times of the year.
その他の事例