Makiko's back ground
Photo by Shu Tomioka
Makiko Sato
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Makiko Sato trained in hospitality at Tokyo's legendary Imperial Hotel and she considers this understanding of hospitality an incredibly useful asset enabling her to create natural surroundings that successfully serve people needs.
Makiko expanded her knowledge at Writtle College (UK), gaining skills in garden design. Her horticultural career initially took off as a show coordinator. Since 2004 she has worked at the Gardening World Cup in Nagasaki, Japan with several Chelsea Flower Show medal winning garden designers including Sarah Eberle and Andy Sturgeon .
makiko design studio was established in 2011 to provide garden design services throughout the UK, Japan and overseas. Her unique blend of natural English and contemporary Japanese style is adaptable to a garden of any shape and size.
Her planting skills was relied upon by Sarah Eberle at the Chelsea Flower Show since 2014. Makiko has also worked with with Paul Stone for BBC Gardeners World 2016, and also several high skilled senior designers. She has now continued to work for several Gardens for RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Flower Show.
Makiko won a Sliver Gilt medal at her first conceptual garden for ‘Japanese Reconstruction’ at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2012.
She challenged to express with her garden to communicate her appreciation for all the support and encouragement received from British people and from the world at
the time of the disaster.
Planting and unique British style of her own that incorporates a Japanese garden was well received across cultures.
Garden Charity UK was also set up in the UK for supporting victims of the Great Eastern Japan earthquake which occurred on March 11th 2011.
Worked as an assistant for Show director of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
The recognition committee member of The Japan Branch of The Royal Horticultural Society (RHSJ) recommendation products. *2013-2015
A gardener at Great Dixter on a short-term basis to explore professional skill of plants and planting schemes by a head gardener, Fergus Garrett.
‘When I was little, we moved down to the countryside. My parents, specially dad who was an architect, wanted me to learn and feel about the nature which has been deeply rooted as my treasure world. I have now deep appreciation to be given about the opportunities.
Thank you.
I hope to illustrate natural harmony by bringing any different styles can be unified and coexist in utter tranquillity.
Garden is a place to make people happy in the world. - makiko ’