The crisp crunch of fresh winter snow underfoot, the sweet scent of budding springtime flowers, the heady buzz of cicadas chirping in the summer’s shade and fallen leaves swirling in an autumnal breeze.

The Japanese word 'fuubutsushi', marks the moment of nostalgic anticipation we feel for the changing seasons. It’s the understanding that each precious moment in the flow of our lives is fleeting, and each of these changes will bring with them, a new season.

A love letter to both the natural history and cultural heritage of the great kingdom of Japan. The four main islands in the archipelago, Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, are represented by the seasons winter, spring, summer and autumn respectively. The islands are then chronologically linked by moon brides, symbolizing the transition from one season to the next.

Each island houses ancient Shinto shrines, temples and monuments local to their region, and beside these landmarks sits a rich tapestry of endemic seasonal flora and topiary. Lastly, beneath the islands lay sleeping giant kami, represented by the animals only found in Japan, the elusive giant catfish, giant salamander, samurai crab and stone turtle.