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Kew Gardens
Japanese Gateway
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The restoration of the Japanese Gateway at Kew Gardens represented a careful balance between heritage conservation and environmental stewardship. DBR’s specialist team undertook a sensitive programme of works designed to protect local wildlife, conserve the gateway’s historic fabric, and return this iconic structure to its former elegance. Each stage of the project was guided by respect for the craftsmanship, cultural significance, and natural setting of this unique landmark.
Client
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Dates
November 2024
—
April 2025
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade II
Fabric
Timber
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a landscape where science, heritage, and artistry meet. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 50,000 plant species and some of the world’s most iconic glasshouses and historic structures, Kew is globally recognised for its dedication to botanical research and environmental stewardship.
The Japanese Gateway at Kew Gardens – A Story of Craft, Conservation and Cultural Legacy
Within this vast living collection sits the Japanese Gateway, Chokushi-Mon, a treasured architectural feature framed by two hand-crafted Japanese gardens. When Kew approached DBR to conserve the Gateway, the request went beyond routine maintenance. It was an opportunity to safeguard a unique cultural artefact that forms part of the garden’s narrative of global connection, horticultural excellence, and historic preservation.
Working alongside Kew’s specialists, ecologists, and garden teams, DBR was entrusted with honouring the spirit of the original 1910 craftsmanship while preparing the Gateway to inspire generations of future visitors.
We are incredibly proud of the role our team played in returning the Japanese Gateway to its authentic appearance. By undertaking detailed analysis of the original colour coatings, our conservators were able to develop a redecoration approach that stayed true to the structure's historic tones and textures. The renewed white and brown finishes now beautifully reflect the gateway's traditional aesthetic, showcasing DBR's commitment to craftsmanship, accuracy, and the sensitive preservation of cultural heritage.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The story of the Japanese Gateway is rich with cultural and historical depth. Originally carved by Japanese master craftsmen for the Japan-British Exhibition in London in 1910, the structure is a near replica of the Gate of Nishi Hongan-ji, a major Buddhist temple in Kyoto. It was built in the ornate Momoyama period style, often described as Japanese rococo, recognised for its bold forms and exquisite detailing.
Surrounding the Gateway are two carefully curated gardens. The Garden of Peace evokes the quiet, contemplative nature of a traditional tea garden, while the Garden of Activity uses slopes, rocks, and raked gravel to symbolise waterfalls, mountains, and the sea. Both spaces guide visitors toward the Gateway as though stepping through a living narrative.
In addition to its cultural value, the Gateway also serves an ecological role. A bat box concealed within the structure meant that conservation could not begin without ecological monitoring an unexpected but rewarding reminder of the harmony between heritage and wildlife at Kew.
Reviving Intricate Craftsmanship
The conservation project began with ecological checks to ensure the Gateway was free of bats before work could begin. Once cleared, DBR removed the large wooden gates for off-site restoration, enabling precise structural repairs and stabilisation of delicate joinery. On-site, conservators reinforced weakened timber, re-paired splits, secured loose carvings, and consolidated exposed areas. Coating samples were analysed to inform an authentic redecoration scheme, and all surfaces were carefully prepared and repainted to restore the Gateway's historic appearance. This work drew on traditional craftsmanship, scientific insight, and specialist heritage skills, combining precise joinery, carving conservation, coating analysis, and timber repair, all delivered with respect for the original 1910 artisans. Works also included paint retouching and cleaning of all Repousse metalwork and finishing with a micro crystalline wax.
