Training course/ study tours - Fantastic private tours in Japan

Category: Training course/ study tours

Field workshop on early blooming cherry species in Takao mountain

Posted on 2025年3月21日2025年6月15日 by japan flower tour home

Yesterday, I planned and carried out an observation event for early-spring plants such as early-blooming cherry blossoms at the Tama Forest Science Garden at the foot of Mount Takao in Hachioji City, a suburb of Tokyo.

In 2025, the early-blooming cherry blossoms bloomed late, and we were only able to see some cherry blossoms, such as Hachisukazakura and Kanzakura, but we learned about the differences between the wild species of cherry blossoms and cultivated variety such as Satozakura, as well as how to read botanical names.

We learned on how to create varieties from seedlings, and how to create varieties from branch mutations. We also learned about the differences between registered varieties and other varieties.

Although there were only a few in bloom, we also learned about the characteristics of early-blooming varieties such as Kanzakura, and the difference in the blooming period between single and double petal varieties.

We exchanged opinions on strategies to preserve the offspring of species including Anemone japonica or Mimigatanantensyo Arisaema limbatum, and how to distinguish between violets that are difficult to identify.

Let’s learn kanji, Japanese character, and get to know Japanese culture better with Meiji shrine tour

Posted on 2025年1月26日2025年2月1日 by japan flower tour home

I participated as a volunteer member in a study group held for deepening the understanding of Japanese culture of trainees staying in Japan invited by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The study event was organized by the English group of the Tokyo city guide club (TCGC), of which I am also a member, and they do various things using English for people visiting Japan.

First, participants were asked to choose a kanji to try calligraphy, and under the guidance of a calligraphy expert, with supporters’ help like me, they experienced the difficulty and fun of calligraphy.

After that, we enjoyed some short game including picture matching cards that showed the origins of kanji characters, and then we went to Meiji Shrine with our guide.

JICA calligraphy event, Meiji shrie excursion JICA書道体験明治神宮ツアー

In January, Meiji Shrine displayed works that won prizes in calligraphy contests for elementary and junior high school students from all over the country, and participants deepened their understanding of kanji and the Japanese language by viewing them and thinking about the meanings of poems of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Astonishing autumn leaves at Kitanomaru Park

Posted on 2024年12月7日2025年1月26日 by japan flower tour home

Best time for Maples and Ginkgo trees

I organized an autumn foliage observation event for a group of the Tokyo City Guide at Kitanomaru Park as a host. The maples in the forest were at their best on a cloudless day, and the gradations from orange to crimson were beautiful. The old ginkgo tree, said to be about 200 years old, was a beautiful yellow suitable for a landmark. Members of the event learned how to distinguish between species in maple trees, which can be difficult to distinguish between, and enjoyed not only the autumn leaves but also the red berries of evergreen trees.

Wonderful days with young trainees from Brunei

Posted on 2024年11月26日2025年1月26日 by japan flower tour home

Heartwarming Days of Exchange

The delegation from Brunei, who we stayed with for about a week, returned home. On the last day of their three-day homestay in Mie Prefecture, host families prepared a lot of halal Japanese food for the Bruneians, and held a grand farewell party for us, including dressing us in kimonos, performing a typical Bruneian dance, and dancing the Bon Odori dance with everyone.

We felt lucky just to be able to see Mt. Fuji from the bullet train returning to Tokyo, and then, at Tokyo Station, Doctor Yellow train arrived at the platform next to us. We were really blessed with good weather on this trip, and it was a truly lucky week. The group finished their presentation and left in high spirits for their home country. Although it was a short visit, I hope that this visit will help promote mutual understanding between Brunei and Japan, and that Japan’s excellent culture and agricultural technology will be conveyed to Brunei.

Welcome to beautiful Japan, young Brunei agricultural engineers!

Posted on 2024年11月24日2025年1月26日 by japan flower tour home

Welcome to Japan

Since last Tuesday, I have been participating as a coordinator in a project operated by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) under commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which invites youth people from ASEAN countries to Japan to learn about the good things about Japan. The course I am joining in is attended by young farmers and agricultural officer from Brunei, and they have been attending lectures at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and visiting a new initiative called aquaponics, which combines hydroponic and aquaculture.

Tokyo to Matsusaka

Now we are in Mie Prefecture since last weekend, where we have been enjoying autumn in Japan by visiting irrigation facilities that have been in operation for over 200 years and farmer’s market by agricultural cooperative, and enjoying mandarin orange picking. And since the day before yesterday, they have been staying at a farm and experiencing various life of farmer. This course is a joint course with young agricultural workers from Vietnam, and I am translating English while another coordinator translating to Vietnamese at the same time, which can be a little difficult, but I enjoy it with the energy of the young people. Although it is a short course of about one week, I hope that they will understand not only the good things about Japan, but also the difficulties of agriculture in Japan, and that this will be useful for agricultural development in their home country of Brunei.

Autumn harvest observation event in Yoyogi Park on a cold, rainy autumn day

Posted on 2024年11月3日2025年6月16日 by japan flower tour home

Unfortunately, it rained in Tokyo on Saturday, the first day of the three-day weekend. However, the rain was still a little light in the morning, so the Nature Exploration group in Tokyo City Guide Club held an observation event in Yoyogi Park with the theme of autumn fruits or nuts.

We don’t usually pay much attention to these small fruits, but if looking closely, I can see that Chinese hackberry, Scabrous aphananthe, and camphor trees are secretly bearing fruits.

Also, depending on the type of acorn, the way the fruit is formed and the shape and pattern of the cupule, also called a cap, vary, and when we understand the differences, we will feel a little proud. The autumn leaves in the park have started to change little by little, with flowering dogwood and winged spindle bearing red fruits, but most of the trees, including the maple, are still green.

The autumn leaves are a little late this year, but in a little while the leaves of the trees in the park will turn red and yellow and we will be able to enjoy them again, but I am a little worried about how the heat of this summer will affect the autumn leaves.

What surprised me a little was that the early-blooming Kawazu cherry trees was blooming out of season. Could this be due to the long, hot summer this yea