A rendering of the Japan Garden at the 15th China (Wenzhou) International Garden Expo. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]
A Japanese garden is nearing completion as part of the 15th China (Wenzhou) International Garden Expo to be held from April to July, highlighting the more than 40 years of friendship between Wenzhou and Ishinomaki, Japan.
Built on sloping land at the expo's main venue, the garden was designed by a team of experts led by Australian architect Graham McKay, an assistant professor at Wenzhou-Kean University. Drawing on his academic training in Japan, McKay holds a Master of Architecture from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he studied in the atelier of renowned architect Kazuo Shinohara, enabling him to capture the authentic character of Ishinomaki while ensuring the garden remains accessible to Chinese visitors.
Instead of flattening the site, the design makes use of nearly 15 meters of natural elevation, with surrounding hills serving as borrowed scenery. At the center is a two-story Japanese-style building defined by clean lines and muted tones. The garden is dominated by greenery — about 1,900 square meters — and features Japanese black pine, Ishinomaki's city tree, azalea, its city flower, and locally adapted species such as camphor trees and bamboo.
Seasonal changes are central to the visitor experience. Cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom in spring, dense greenery offers shade in summer, and red maple leaves define autumn views. Winding paths connect plazas, slopes, and viewpoints, encouraging visitors to explore the garden through gradual changes in elevation and perspective.
Wenzhou and Ishinomaki established sister city ties in 1984 and have maintained close cooperation in economy, culture, education, and youth programs. After the expo, the Japan Garden will remain a permanent public space, continuing to serve as a platform for cultural exchange and daily recreation.
