Nature, Humans,
and Creativity
within the Natural World

ABOUT US

Studio Kyōryū is a company
that creates gardens in
harmony with nature.

At Studio Kyōryū, we offer gardening and landscape design, construction, maintenance, and consulting services. We focus on using native plants and locally sourced materials to create gardens that feel natural and rooted in their surroundings. Rather than aiming for quick, dramatic changes, we take a long-term approach - working with the rhythms of nature to create spaces that grow more beautiful over time and can be loved for years to come.

Mission

Our mission is to enrich natural landscapes
and care for them as their guardians.
Any time humans shape the land, we leave a
mark - but we believe those marks shouldn’t
feel like scars.
Instead, we aim to create spaces that gently
return to nature over time.

We take the time to understand each site - its
history,
its memory - and work with that
knowledge to build environments that are
kind to both people and wildlife.
For us, the most meaningful gardens are
those that reveal the unique character of the
land slowly
and naturally, growing richer as
our clients and the environment develop
together.

Meaning of Kyōryū

Our name, Studio Kyōryū, comes from an
unexpected discovery we made while doing
garden maintenance
in eastern England—we
unearthed dinosaur bones.
That moment made us realize just how easily
the past can be overlooked or forgotten.

Those bones had been resting undisturbed in
layers of earth formed over millions of years.
It made us wonder: how much of nature’s
deep history has already been buried beneath
asphalt, parking lots, and skyscrapers?

The feeling we had when uncovering those
ancient remains in a client’s garden became
the foundation for how we think about
landscape design.
We chose the name Studio Kyōryū as a
reminder of the importance of honoring both
the past and the future.
Our goal is to create gardens rooted in the
unique spirit of the land - gardens
that will
still bring joy not just 10 years from now, but
even 100 or 1,000 years into the future.

SERVICE

We provide expert advice on plant selection suited to soil and sunlight conditions, drainage solutions, and garden planning that emphasizes native species. Our approach focuses on identifying and addressing underlying issues to build a garden that’s both beautiful and resilient.

Our design process begins with assessing the site and listening carefully to your vision. From there, we develop a design that brings out the unique character of the location while aligning with your goals and lifestyle.

We assemble a specialized team tailored to each project and carry out construction that faithfully reflects the design. We remain flexible throughout the process, making on-site adjustments as needed to achieve the best possible result.

We offer customized garden care plans based on your needs. Our experienced gardeners monitor plant health and maintain harmony with the surrounding environment. Tree pruning and selective removal of overgrowth are also available when needed.

In addition to gardening and design workshops, we host educational programs focused on living in harmony with nature - such as making candles using materials gathered in the garden. These hands-on experiences encourage a deeper connection with the natural world.

COMPANY

Founder & Creative Director
Andy Cunningham

Andy grew up surrounded by the rich natural landscapes of Scotland, where from a young age he developed a strong connection to nature. This passion led him to pursue gardening and landscape design. After completing hands-on training at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, he expanded his studies across France, Italy, and the U.S., ultimately earning a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture.

Andy has worked in several countries, always focusing on exploring the relationship between plants and people. On moving to Japan, he was deeply inspired by its unique natural environment and the diversity of native species. Driven by a desire to create sustainable gardens that truly showcase the beauty of plants, he founded Studio Kyōryū.

Alongside his work in design and construction, Andy also teaches Landscape Architecture at University College London and New York University, bringing an international perspective to the evolving connection between nature and people.

Our Team

Our team of gardeners and landscape
architects bring a diverse range of expertise.
We value and respect each individual’s
personality and perspective,
fostering an environment where everyone can
flexibly take on challenges that play to their
strengths.
What unites us all is a shared passion for
creating gardens that connect people with
nature.
This shared vision and teamwork are the
driving forces behind Studio Kyōryū.

A future cultivated by gardens, in harmony with nature.

Studio Kyōryū is a professional garden design team based in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, offering comprehensive services from design and planning to construction and maintenance. Our mission is to create lasting gardens where creative vision and expert craftsmanship come together in harmony.

At the heart of our approach is careful dialogue with our clients and a deep respect for the unique qualities of each site. Insights and lessons gained on the ground are shared across our team, building a collective wisdom that shapes our distinctive style. We believe that today’s gardens should not be about scrap-and-build cycles but about nurturing sustainable landscapes that honor the local environment and history in a thoughtful, balanced way. Nature’s environments hold endless creativity, and while we strive to bring out this beauty, we also prioritize ease of maintenance and cost-efficiency. This is essential because unsustainable gardens risk losing their original design intent over time and eventually become a burden on the land. Recognizing the evolving nature of gardens over time, we commit ourselves to maintenance and ongoing consultation after construction is complete. With sincerity and care, we engage deeply with every project, working side-by-side with our clients to shape gardens that will flourish into the future. This is the promise and passion of Studio Kyōryū.

CEO

Ayumi Yamamoto

Company Name
Studio Kyōryū Co., Ltd.
Established
December 2020
Capital
5,000,000 JPY
CEO
Ayumi Yamamoto
Business Activities
Design, construction,
management,
and consulting for
gardening and
landscaping
Operation of Studio
Kyōryū retail shop
Location
[Office / Shop]
1794-1-9 Maseguchi,
Miyota-machi,
Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
389-0207, Japan
Inside MMoP
Google Maps
Phone Number
+81-267-46-9235

Garden and Environmental Design for Facilities,
Residences, and Vacation Homes
Please feel free to contact us.

Contact us
via the inquiry form

Phone: +81-267-46-9235
(10:00 AM – 4:00 PM /
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)