Testimonials

The work, in our clients’ words.

Featured

We have had the pleasure of a personal and professional relationship with Mr. Abiko for many years.

We are based in the States but practice a Japanese tradition, so bonsai must combine the cultures and aesthetics of both places.

Mr. Abiko designed our retail display area. The feature point is a traditional Tokonoma. The warm, natural wood and earthy colors welcome people into our nursery. No T.V. screens here. Just a beautiful quiet bonsai display….a dry Japanese garden…beautiful bonsai. He carefully oversaw the project from start to finish. From cutting and tying bamboo to carefully placing rocks, inside and out. It has been a lasting, durable and welcoming space. Even better today, than when it was created.

When it came time to renovate our New England farmhouse mudroom into a bonsai display and workspace Mr. Abiko created a design that captured the stillness and beauty of the Japanese display area without compromising, and even highlighting the old farmhouse space. The marriage of these two worlds has been a happy one, with many people complimenting us over the years on the peace and beauty they feel in this room.

Mr. Abiko has also recently re-designed our main workshop greenhouse. Once again, creating a practical and functional workspace that invites magic and creativity.

Mr. Abiko fuses American structures, materials and landscapes with Japanese principals and aesthetics. These works, although rooted in our own backyard, urge us to look East. Perfect inspiration for bonsai students!

We are ever grateful to him for his considerable contributions to our success.

Teddi, New England Bonsai Gardens, Bellingham, MA
Toshio Abiko has done special projects for me since 2019. He is skilled, imaginative, responsive and flexible, and his work is sturdy and beautiful. Along my side yard I wished for an open fence that vines could grow on — the final design is a simple, elegant structure with climbing hydrangea reaching along the cross-bars. He also built a stable handrail for the steps from my porch to the back yard: a wide, strong piece of bamboo, so comfortable to hold, joined to the steps by knobby pieces of a second kind of bamboo. Elsewhere he made a second handrail plus a trellis to support a rose. Always, many alternatives are considered, and I receive detailed drawings and accurate cost estimates. Both the outcome and the process are a pleasure.
Lois L. · Oct 2025
I had an old cedar fence that was leaning badly, with a broken cross beam, broken boards and missing top end caps. The job was done professionally, with excellent clean up and much faster than I thought it would take. Toshi was very organized, polite, kind and did exceptional work! The fence looked so good we hired Toshio to weather-proof it. Now our fence looks new — we hope to extend its life for another 10 years!
Kitty H. · May 2018
Retreat House — Japanese rooms in Buffalo, NY
The craftsmanship in wood is impeccable — like fine furniture. Earlier in my life I lived in Japan for six years, and Toshio’s skill reminds me of the very best carpentry I saw there. The wood he selected is very straight-grained, everything is square, level, and plumb... and it smells amazing. He also agreed to some minor trim work inside my house, and it came out looking equally beautiful. I really enjoyed Toshio’s professionalism and thoughtfulness, and I can’t wait to work with him again.
Mark M. · May 2017
Toshio was fantastic — he came and looked at the job and gave a very accurate quote. His quality of work is superb and he cleaned up the worksite completely. He was punctual, professional and very pleasant. The fence looks great — you wouldn’t know it had been repaired, as the design he came up with blends in perfectly. We are so happy with the work and would highly recommend him.
Patrick T. · Mar 2017
Stone garden at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston
Toshio surpassed my expectations on every project with his creativity and design, and always finished on time and on budget. We met during the design stage to review his drawings, discuss materials, and plan the schedule. He is a unique craftsman with a designer’s mind and skillful hands. On every project he has done for me I have been truly impressed with the final result — if I had a project today, he would be the first person I’d call. His training in Japan gives him an advantage: he thinks a project through to the last detail from the beginning, blending Japanese and American design into new and beautiful work.
Stephen G. · Feb 2014
It went wonderfully. Toshio came the day before to see what needed to be done, and was on time each day — the second day he worked for seven hours straight. He was very careful to have the appropriate hangers, wires and tools, and incredibly precise in hanging everything, in particular the four items going up the stairs. It was amazing how he handled the measurements and the care to make sure everything was precisely placed. Everything looks terrific.

Thank you very much for writing your review. As an artist, I really enjoyed hanging your mother’s art frames. — Toshio

Annmarie F. · Jan 2016
Circular window with shoji grid
Toshio’s work is what I would refer to as “excellence in craftsmanship.” From the very beginning you get the feeling he is going to do it perfectly. He presented an accurate design before starting, and you get to see his great attention to detail. He does the work himself, does it to perfection, and is very cost effective. I have never been this satisfied working with a contractor for any home project.

Thank you for writing your great review. Hope your family and nice dogs can enjoy it safely. — Toshio

Tony R. · Aug 2015
Mr. Abiko immediately set up a time to review the areas where I wanted shelves. He then sent a detailed email including the design and the specific parts he needed, and was very specific about every cost involved. He kept me up to date on the build. The shelves are wonderful — the time and effort he put in was amazing. He installed them and did an outstanding job. He is very particular and takes great pride in his work. The end result is fantastic, just what I wanted. I would highly recommend him.
Gary O. · Nov 2015
Tokai Japanese gift store interior, Boston
From the first visit I was highly impressed with his thoroughness. The job was not large, but I appreciated getting a written quote with such detail — other estimates were cheaper but only gave vague details. Toshio took his time to make sure the work was done well: he installed the Polyiso board and added sealant and planks so the area under my stairs would have zero drafts. He also installed spray foam in my laundry room and recommended a panel to make the area more finished. I would hire Toshio again in a heartbeat. He is very professional, arrives on time, and cleans up after himself.
Marta O. · Sep 2015
Toshio did a fantastic job installing a bamboo gate in the rear yard of my home. He came twice before making the gate, taking all measurements with the greatest accuracy, then sent me a CAD drawing to review. After some discussion he adjusted the drawings so the gate would fit with high precision between the house and the fence. On installation day he removed the old wooden gate and, with great focus, installed the new bamboo gate. It can be latched by a rope to a post — a big advantage during a storm, with no noise of metal hitting. My bamboo gate is the first in my neighborhood and it looks very elegant. As always, I have high praise for Toshio’s workmanship.
Anil A. · Oct 2014
Kaisendonya restaurant interior with fusuma doors, Tokyo
Toshio did a superb job installing our cedar fence. He’s polite, punctual, and professional; he asked a few questions before the job, then set about his work quickly. The job started on time and was completed within two days. The end result is terrific — the fence is strong and looks great, and we’ve already received compliments from neighbors. We will seek out his services again!
Marc W. · May 2014
Toshio’s work is first rate. We will definitely hire him again.
Paul E. · Jul 2017
Retreat House — Japanese washitsu room, Buffalo, NY

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