UK Garden Features in 13th Annual World Gardening Fair at Hotel Okura Tokyo

From 1st to 5th May 2013, Hotel Okura Tokyo is to host the 13th Annual World Gardening Fair within the hotel. 

---

At the event, which will be opened by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, visitors will be able to discover a series of gardens created by the wives of the ambassadors from 10 different countries, with examples of trees, flowers and natural environments that represent each country. This year, the countries include the UK, the USA, Venezuela, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The UK’s entrant to the Gardening Fair has been created by Mrs. Sara Hitchens (left) and will feature a rose arch with climbing yellow Teasing Georgias and pink Mary Roses, alongside light pink peonies and lavender. A curved pathway from the rose arch meanders through the garden of flowers and includes traditional herbs such as thyme, rosemary and sage as well as a cascade of Constance Spry roses across trellises.

---

The ambassadors’ wives initially designed their gardens and worked with experienced Japanese designer, Mr. Shirasuna (above) who developed their ideas to create gardens that would accurately portray the natural landscape of every participating country.

Other entrants include a patio garden representing the Andalusia region of Spain, a Swedish herb garden, and a Singapore tropical garden with exotic, tropical flowers.

---

Last year, the World Gardening Fair raised ¥455,984 (£3,164) for the Northeast Japan Earthquake Restoration Fund. This year, proceeds from the fair will be donated to TOMDACHI, a US-Japan public-private partnership that is supporting Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

---

Other events taking place alongside the fair are a Bonsai Exhibition, a Lladró Exhibition and a La Vita Colorata Collection.

Tickets cost from ¥1,500 (£10.49) per person (children admitted free of charge) and tickets with lunch in the restaurants cost from ¥4,500 (£31.45).

Participating countries:

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - Mrs. Erika Colon de Ishikawa
United States of America - Mrs. Susan H. Roos
Spain - Mrs. Romana Sadurska de Navarro
Kingdom of Belgium - Mrs. Karine Vercraeye
Kingdom of Sweden - Mrs. Eva Vargö
Republic of Azerbaijan - Mrs. Rana Ismayizada
Republic of Singapore - Mrs. Chin-Wang Lee Moi
Republic of Turkey - Mrs. Sinem Kiliç
Kingdom of the Netherlands - Mrs. Béatrice van Vollenhoven
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Mrs. Sara Hitchens

For more information, please visit www.hotelokura.co.jp/tokyo/en

-Ends-

For further press information call Anthea Yabsley at IDeal PR on 0208 578 6777 anthea.yabsley@ideal-pr.co.uk or Sara Norman on 0780 317 575 pr@saranormanassociates.com

For more hotel information contact Ms. Natsuko Eguchi or Mr. Koji Sakamoto 
Public Relations, Hotel Okura 
Tokyo 
Tel: 03-3224-6731
E-mail:pr@tokyo.hotelokuraco.jp