A realist, not utopian, city respite garden transcends time and place. It flows from the dependable waterwheel to a human landscape with its ups and downs, twists and turns. Mature trees shade younger plants, herbs and vegetables nourish, a decaying branch reminds of life’s circles.Paths and ponds embody the dilemma for modern makers – reconciling human benefits and planetary costs. Thin ply walls permit accessible paths. Cement alternatives are less rigid.Rough timber is salvaged. A re-purposed telegraph pole reminds that information is central to all life forms. The warm sheepskin friendship bench welcomes people to think about others, and represents the apex of the water cycle, white clouds. All materials, plants, and trees are sourced from UK.The terrain is inspired by Hiro’s village near the Mount Koya UNESCO Heritage Site, and realised by cube landscapes. Makers from disability projects in Japan and London (Maxability) provide the ceramics.