A dad spent £10K transforming his drab backyard into a Japanese garden - and has now added a monk's Zen space.<br /><br />Dad-of-two Martin Fitton, 55, began the massive project in 2009 and recently added a teahouse and the 'meditation garden'.<br /><br />He has perfect Bonsai trees and has been told by several Japanese visitors that it is a home from home.<br /><br />Martin works on the garden in Brislington Village, Bristol, during the week as he does weekend shifts as a tanker driver.<br /><br />He has never visited Japan but hopes to go in 2025 and is saving up, and has yet to try Japanese food - and prefers Chinese.<br /><br />Martin has now opening up the garden to the public.<br /><br />He said: "We are going to open it as a business to put money back into it.<br /><br />"I do all the work over the winter, I built the garden on a budget.<br />I spent about £50 a month on it.<br /><br />"I did everything in the garden apart from the lanterns and recently added a Zen garden which monks use to meditate.<br /><br />"One Japanese visitor couldn't believe that I made everything myself, including a replica of a famous temple.<br /><br />"I was visited by a YouTuber last year who came to the UK to visit it.<br /><br />"After the pandemic some visitors from Japan and Asia said it felt like being at home when they couldn't travel.<br /><br />"I studied Japanese garden culture after going on a course in Dorset in 2009.<br /><br />"Every day after dinner I go and sweep the leaves, it isn't like an English garden as there's no mud.<br /><br />"We have had around 22 visitors per hour. I open it for charity but also to put money into the garden."<br /><br />He will open the garden as part of NGS (National Garden scheme).<br /><br />Martin added: "I am overwhelmed with the attention, I would have dreamed creating something in my garden would go so far in the UK and go even further in Japan.<br /><br />"I have made some wonderful friends from Japan. I get a lot of people contacting my through my Facebook page, YouTube channel and website saying I have given them inspiration to go out in their gardens and create their own Japanese garden or finish something they started years ago. <br /><br />"They also say after seeing my Facebook post and reels they feel calm, happy and take their mind off problems in their life."<br /><br />A student held an exhibition in the garden and an artist used it as inspiration for a painting.<br /><br />Martin added: "I do have a kimono and dressed up once like the Karate Kid.<br /><br />"My neighbours think it's wonderful and can't believe the garden is in Bristol.<br /><br />"In 14 years I've spent £10,000 on it.<br /><br />"I have got to try Japanese food.<br /><br />"Last year we had a kimono photoshoot here."
