Vertical gardens in Aoyama

When I walk around Aoyama, I often spot vertical gardens here and there.  This new way of greening of town is definitely increasing and I think it’s becoming a trend.  Practically, boutiques, restaurants and cafes are adopting this lovely greenery on their façade or inside walls. 

Vertical gardens are easy on the environment.  They not only make the look of the buildings fascinating, but are effective against the heat island phenomenon.  For example, they protect buildings from being exposed direct sunlight and prevent a rise in wall temperatures.  According to a report of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, vertical gardens have created at least about 55 ha of greenery in the last 13 years in Japan.

Plants at Kazahana cafe are very energetic! 

As far as I know, we can see one of the oldest vertical gardens at Kazahana in Aoyama.  Kazahana is a café on a back street, but it’s a Mecca for aspiring gardeners as well.  The owner is a landscape designer who sometimes takes part in the Chelsea flower show and his designs have won awards.  Over the years, plants on the wall have grown bigger and a bit wilder, though I like this place because it totally makes me forget about being in the middle of Tokyo.

It looks like a entrance of a wonderland.

 My favorite vertical garden is the one at Santa Chiara church.  It’s really amazing.  The building is almost covered with plants and it looks like a green cave!  I was so excited when I saw it and I bet it will wow you, too.  Although this cave doesn’t give you a nature adventure, it offers you delicious and sweet experiences.  Every time I visit this site, I never miss dropping by a Spanish chocolate shop, Cacao Sampaka, which is attached to the complex.

I have no idea what will be the weather like this coming summer, but no matter how hot it’ll be, with vertical gardens, our days might be much cooler than last year. 

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Nicolai Bergmann cafe

The Aoyama area, where some of my clients’ offices are located, is a nice place to get around. New commercial establishments such as restaurants, cafes and pilot shops opened one after another. It’s not only fun but also useful to know the recent fashion trend.

However,I haven’t had very much time to visit them very often so far. It’s a shame! I think I should make the most of the advantage of working in this area and step outside a lot more often. I had made a list of must cafes in Aoyama and I invited a friend of mine for lunch.

Nicolai Bergmann café is on a back street in Omotesando. Nicolai Bergmann is a flower artist from Denmark. He established his own brand after working as a florist for 10 years in Japan. What makes him different from other flower artists is his fusion style mixed with European traditional design and Japanese essence. We can see the unique combination of colors and forms in his arrangement.

The café is located inside a flower shop. We ordered Denmark style open sandwiches dressed with salmon, cheese,fruits, nut and such. It was so nice to have lunch being surrounded by beautiful flowers. This place would surely be listed as one of my favorite places in Aoyama.

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Omohara no Mori (Omohara Wood)

The new landmark of Harajuku was born in April. Tokyu Plaza Omotesandou Harajuku might be one of the places where you should visit in Tokyo.

Tokyu Plaza Omotesandou Harajuku is a fashion complex, which is located on the corner of Meiji street and Omotesando street. Young people might not know but there used to be an apartment called Central Apartment on this site. The place, which had both residential and commercial facilities is a legend.

A lot of photographers, illustrators, writers, editors and fashion-stylists had their offices in Central Apartment and most of them started their career in this building. As a result, their creative activities and gossiping contributed to transition Harajuku into a center of pop culture in 70’s and 80’s.

With inheriting the geographical DNA of the Harajuku culture, the new landmark is expected to be more than just a fashion theme park. What blew my mind most in here is that it has beautiful greenery on the rooftop rest area called Omohara no Mori, or Omohara Wood. It’s a very nice garden, which makes me totally forget about the fact it’s on the building.

When I went there on Sunday, many people were enjoying their holiday over a cup of coffee around keyaki trees that have been a symbol of Omotesando street for many years. Sitting in a deck area or swinging on a hammock, you can chat, talk, and also have a meeting for creating something new.

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