About Your Guide
Early On
Andrew William grew up in the Washington D.C. area with deep interests in Eastern philosophy, nature and art. After completing a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture he designed and built gardens for a decade in Boulder, Denver, Aspen, Seattle, and Kauai. Eleven years ago he relocated to Kyoto to learn the traditional techniques of Japanese garden design and construction from the masters.
Kyoto Garden Apprenticeship
While training in one of the highest ranking garden companies in Kyoto, Andrew had a chance to work in several prestigious gardens including the State Guesthouse at the Kyoto Imperial Palace and the private garden at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
He became one of the only foreigners to obtain certification from the Kyoto Zouen Kumiai Kunrenko, a prestigious gardener training program taught by many of Kyoto’s garden masters and industry elites.
A New Venture
In 2017 he founded An Design, a garden consulting and tour company in Kyoto, Japan. Having received over 1,300 5-star reviews, An Design has become one of the highest rated tour companies in Kyoto.
Read more about Andrew’s experiences in this interview.
What Does ‘An’ Design Mean?
安 / An / Peaceful, Quiet, Contented, Rested.
These are feelings I hope you will experience as we journey through Kyoto together. Veering away from the usual tourist attractions with their large crowds and hectic atmospheres, I will bring you to a world which many who come here are not able to find. We will have a chance to experience true peace in an otherwise busy world.
Immersed in spaces of unimaginable beauty, we will experience the true nature of Kyoto.
Hello From Kyoto
Hello and thank you for being here. Drawing on my experience working in a traditional garden company here in Kyoto and my self-studies in Eastern philosophy since as long as I can remember, I am able to provide experiences for my guests that are unique and from the heart.
Available for online experiences, as well as half-day, full-day, and multi-day walking tours, I look forward to leading you on an enchanting and introspective journey while helping you to better understand this enigmatic country of Japan.
Respectfully,
Andrew William
andrew@andesignkyoto.com
