Beyond the 'Plant' Framework: Enriching Human Sensibilities and Lives with 'Future Topiary' Fused with Technology

Neverland International Co., Ltd. (Location: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masayo Miyazaki) is a company that creates places for smiles, making everyone involved in plant art 'topiary' – people, companies, things, and places – happy.

Based on the technology and experience cultivated over 36 years since its founding, we challenge ourselves to create new value by breaking out of the existing framework of 'plants' and fusing them with modern cutting-edge technology.

Our company supports April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day to express dreams. This press release is a dream of Neverland International Co., Ltd.

AI-generated image

What exactly is 'Topiary'?

Topiary, in a word, is 'plant art.' According to the NPO Japan Topiary Association's definition, it is 'a sculptural object that artificially and three-dimensionally shapes plants.'

Do you remember Edward in the movie 'Edward Scissorhands' trimming trees into various shapes with his scissor hands? That's topiary. Also, the plant characters you see at Disneyland, those are also topiary.

In a Life with Technology

In recent years, with the evolution of AI and robotics, autonomous driving technology and delivery robots have gradually become familiar to us. Technology is beginning to naturally blend into the casual scenery we see in cities. What was once a story of the future is now becoming a part of everyday life, gently accompanying people's lives.

What if plants could guide people, converse, and begin to play a role in the city?

We thought about whether we could realize such a topiary that is somehow nostalgic yet feels futuristic.

'Next-Generation Topiary' Concept Fusing with Technology

What our company aims for is topiary as a new existence that goes beyond the framework of 'plants.'

Technology breathes 'new life' into plants.

■ Robot × Topiary

The birth of 'Delivery Topiary' equipped with autonomous driving technology. Inorganic robots transform into adorable plant animals and characters, delivering packages while bringing greenery to the city.

AI-generated image: A city where 'Delivery Topiary' works

■ AI × Topiary

Through fusion with AI (Artificial Intelligence), topiary becomes your good partner. It speaks to you according to the day's weather, the plant's condition, and even the mood of visitors, providing 'healing conversations' that comfort the heart.

AI-generated image: 'Conversational Topiary'

■ Projection Mapping × Topiary

A fantastical space where animals come alive at night: the 'Night Topiary Zoo Garden.' At night, animals come alive with the magic of light. Projection mapping tailored to the three-dimensional shapes of topiary creates a fantastical 'night animal and plant garden.' This creates completely different emotions between day and night.

AI-generated image: Daytime animal topiary garden

AI-generated image: Night Topiary Zoo Garden

Achievements in 'Experiential Topiary' that Resonates with the Five Senses

Our company has always explored the possibilities of topiary not just as mere landscape decoration, but as 'plant art that appeals to the five senses,' evolving it into 'experiences that remain in people's memories.'

Representative Examples

■ 'Whale Topiary' created in Kochi Prefecture

Whale topiary 'spouting water' installed in Katsurahama, Kochi (2023)

Click here for details on the installation

■ 'Biotopiary Garden' expressing the cycle of nature by fusing plants and spatial production

Biotopiary Garden (Hibiya, 2009)

Biotopiary Garden image perspective

Click here for details on the installation

■ 'Piano Topiary' combining music and plants

Piano topiary created for PR promotion of 'Hamamatsu Mosaic Culture World Expo 2009'

'Playable' topiary with a real keyboard built-in

Click here for a blog post about music-related topiary

From Decoration to Experience

In this way, we have evolved topiary from 'decoration' to 'experience' by incorporating elements such as water flow and sound, not just visuals.

These initiatives are utilized as content that enhances the value of a place, such as extending visitors' stay time and promoting photo taking and SNS posting.

Experience Guides the Future of Topiary

Representative Director Masayo Miyazaki

Over the past 36 years, our company has accumulated approximately 100 production achievements for local governments and companies in 44 municipalities across 27 prefectures nationwide.

During that time, we have continuously witnessed how the 'vitality' and 'form' of plants enrich people's hearts and bring out smiles.

Technology is by no means far from plants. By giving plants 'voices' and 'movements' through technology, the relationship between people and plants will evolve to be more intimate and exciting.

Leveraging this experience, we aim for 'a world where the convenience of technology and the healing of plants coexist, and adults and children alike can be engrossed, creating a society full of smiles.'

【About Neverland International Co., Ltd.】

A specialist company leading the popularization and development of topiary in Japan. Engages in planning, production, maintenance, and human resource development for topiary nationwide.

Official Website