About Tasty Corner Cafe
We are a team of horticulturists, garden historians, and landscape designers united by a profound love for the art and philosophy of Japanese gardens.
Sharing the Art of Japanese Garden Making
Tasty Corner Cafe was founded in Kyoto in 2018 with a single mission: to make the deep wisdom of Japanese garden making accessible to every person who loves the natural world.
Whether you have a postage-stamp urban courtyard or a sweeping rural property, the principles of Japanese garden design — asymmetry, naturalness, seasonal awareness, and the active use of negative space — can transform any outdoor environment into a place of meaning and beauty.
Our team works from a traditional machiya townhouse in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, at the heart of the city that gave birth to many of the world's greatest gardens. We walk the same streets as the great garden masters, visit the same temple gardens, and draw daily inspiration from our living city.
We believe that a well-designed garden is not a luxury but a necessity — a place for restoration, contemplation, and reconnection with the rhythms of the natural world.
Our Team
Haruki Yoshida
Third-generation Kyoto gardener with 25 years' experience designing temple and private gardens. Trained at Ryōan-ji under master gardener Kenji Tanaka.
Sakura Nakamura
PhD in Japanese Cultural History from Kyoto University. Author of "The Living Archive: Three Thousand Years of Japanese Garden Making." Specialises in Heian and Muromachi garden history.
Takumi Aoki
Licensed landscape architect specialising in contemporary Japanese garden design for international clients. Has created gardens in London, New York, and Zurich inspired by Kyoto's temple gardens.
Our Values
Seasonal Awareness
We believe a garden's power lies in its responsiveness to time. Our content follows the natural calendar, offering guidance that aligns with the earth's rhythms rather than fighting them.
Deep Education
We write for curious, serious people. Every article is researched thoroughly, drawing on Japanese primary sources, academic scholarship, and the knowledge of working garden professionals.
Cultural Respect
Japanese garden traditions carry centuries of philosophical and spiritual meaning. We approach this culture with deep respect, always contextualising techniques within their full historical and cultural significance.
Global Accessibility
Japanese garden principles transcend geography. We provide guidance that can be adapted for any climate, any scale, and any budget — from a small balcony tray garden to a multi-acre estate.