Ordinary looking terraced home transports you across the world when you enter
There is nothing out-of-the-ordinary about the interiors of Martin Fitton's family home in Brislington, Bristol. His brown terraced city house has a loft conversion, a conservatory and the rooms are well-kept by Martin and his wife Cyndie, 54.
But if you take one step outside into their garden, you'll instantly be transported across the world to Tokyo. Lorry driver Martin, 55, has spent the last 14 years transforming his plain back garden into a tranquil Japanese-themed paradise.
He's become well-known across the nation and recently he finally received recognition in Japan, after appearing on ANN News - a huge highlight for the DIY dad-of-two.
Martin bought the house in 2001 and lives with his wife Cyndie (Martin Fitton)
The DIYer has transformed his grounds to a Japanese paradise (Martin Fitton)"I was on the world news in Japan in November. It was a shock and I got very excited," Martin told the Mirror.
The green-fingered gardener has dedicated his free time - approximately two days a week - to designing, building and landscaping his bog-standard back garden for over a decade.
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Martin originally took inspiration from a public Japanese garden while on holiday in Compton Acres in Dorset in 2009.
He explained: "My wife also saw a Japanese garden on telly once and said, 'that looks nice'.
"The theme started at the top of garden then creeped down and jumped over the house - now it's in the front garden too."
The empty space used to be a place for his young kids to play outdoors (Martin Fitton)Though the Far East theme may soon begin to appear inside, after an artist recently painted a portrait of a lady wearing a kimono in the garden.
"I'll put up that picture and then probably another one to match on the opposite wall - so it may well creep in, but we have no plans at the moment," Martin said.
His multi-tiered garden, that was once taken up by a climbing frame for his kids, is now complete with a pond that homes 23 koi fish, some as old as 17.
"I've kept koi for about 27 years and had most of the fish since they were babies," Martin said.
Martin spends two days a week gardening and does it all on a budget (Martin Fitton)Martin, who has lived in the home since 2001, says his secret space is loved by next-door neighbours, who cannot see the details at fence-height.
"My neighbours think it's amazing and can't believe it's on their street," he explained.
"I always check with them before I build anything big, but it really is all hidden and contained to my garden. You'd struggle to see it over the bushes."
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Martin began gardening in 2009 and then renovated it in 2017 using "better materials and traditional Japanese techniques".
While he has spent over £8,000 creating his oasis, it takes up far more hard work and time than money - as he's saved a lot doing the construction himself.
His family and neighbours are in awe of his beautiful work (Martin Fitton)
Martin recently welcomed a YouTuber from Japan into his garden (Martin Fitton)"I haven't got loads of money to pile into a garden and I like doing things on a budget," Martin explained.
"If I see something expensive, I'll try to make it myself cheaper. At the moment, I'm working on fence panels trying to make them look less English-looking.
"I've recently made a new bridge and next I'll be renovating the tea house to make it look more Japanese."
Martin uses a wood treated with a Japanese technique - shou sugi ban - which is believed to help ensure the material will last for roughly 100 years.
One of his most difficult projects was creating the Japanese garden room on the second level, which has become a favourite spot for family gatherings.
His next project is renovating the tea room to make it more authentic and Japanese (Martin Fitton)"Cyndie will always say let's go and sit up there together for lunch, or we might sit by the pond and watch the fish," Martin said.
The entire family, including son Rhys, 29, and daughter Vanessa, 27, appreciate Martin's incredible outdoor space - and so do locals.
"Shortly after lockdown, I opened up my garden for charity. I had a lot of Japanese students visit and they said it was like going home," Martin said.
"That was the biggest compliment as I really wanted to make it authentic."
In February this year, YouTuber Deep Japan, also known as The Last Samurai, travelled all the way from Japan to visit Martin's garden.
While he's appeared on Japan world news, Martin is yet to visit his favourite country (Martin Fitton)Martin is now keen to repay the visit and hopes to travel to Kyoto for the first time in two years.
"My garden has taken me places I would never have dreamed of. My goal now is to see the real Japan," Martin said.
"We are wiping out next year's holidays and hoping to go to Kyoto in 2025."
Though his passion for Japanese shrines, gardens and temples is unlikely to move him permanently overseas, as there's no place quite like home.
"I don't think we'd ever move house. I've created something that I couldn't leave," Martin added.
To visit Martin's Japanese-themed garden, head to his online website for details.
Do you have an extraordinary home? Get in touch. Email [email protected].
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