Category: Volunteer Activities

Opening day, 13th April 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 in Osaka Healthcare Pavilion

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Today, 13th April 2025, the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 just started

Also, my volunteer wark is started from the first day. Since it was the first day, a large number of people visited, and although it was expected to some extent, the opening was quite crowded and chaotic. Today, I walked from Yumeshima Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line and entered the venue via the East Gate. Compared to the West Gate, which can only be accessed by shuttle bus, entering from the East Gate is more convenient, even if it is a little crowded. For the Osaka Expo, the Chuo Line was extended from Cosmo Square Station, one stop before, to Yumeshima Station. An additional 90 yen fee is required for this extended section. This section is not included in the Osaka Metro “Enjoy Eco Card,” which allows unlimited use of all lines in one day, so if you use this card, you should be aware that you will have to pay an additional 90 yen fee at Yumeshima Station.

Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn

On the first day of volunteering, I guided visitors inside the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn, pavilion of the organizer of the EXPO, Osaka prefecture and city. The area I was in charge of was relatively less chaotic, and I tried to respond with a smile as much as possible so that the visitors could enjoy themselves.

Before and after the activity, I was able to walk freely around inside of the Expo site, and I was able to enjoy it with the general visitors, except for places and activities that required reservations.

Unfortunately, it rained heavily, so the Blue Impulse demonstration flight was canceled, and there were many people who waited the event, in the rain for a long time, which made me a little worried about the customer satisfaction. Also, there were pavilions that were not yet completed and were under construction, so it was a slightly unsettling opening.

For me, the excitement I felt at the Osaka Expo 55 years ago came back to me, and I also had the opportunity to enjoy some brief conversations with the pavilion companions. I am looking forward to the activities that begin today.

Field workshop on early blooming cherry species in Takao mountain

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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.

Joining Tokyo International Marathon by Volunteer work

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I enjoyed for participation as a volunteer in the Tokyo Marathon on March 2nd. On the day of the marathon, which was held in beautiful and peaceful spring weather, I was in charge of guiding the runners who had finished to the changing rooms. This internationally major event, with about half of the approximately 38,000 participants being from overseas, really shows that people from all over the world are looking forward to it.

On the day of the race, we supported the runners who had finished the race by guiding them to the place where they could change clothes, so that the runners who had completed the full marathon could change clothes and head home without using too much energy as much as possible. Even though many of the runners were exhausted, they thanked the volunteers and staff who supported them, saying, “Thank you! I had fun today.” It was a day that made me feel glad to be a volunteer.

Every runner shared the use of the changing rooms, which were not particularly spacious, and they also separated their trash before throwing it away. When the activity was over, there was no trash on the ground at all, so the volunteers did not have to collect trash or clean up. I also felt the high quality of the runners who participated (I think that the good manners of Japanese runners partly influenced to foreign runners).

Recently, the problem of overtourism has been pointed out, and the decline in the quality of tourists visiting Japan is often pointed out, but I once again felt that it is important to attract such visitors with a high sense of purpose, and to have them recognize the good points of Japan, and if possible, to lead to raising their awareness.

Preparation for the Tokyo International Marathon, volunteer work

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I volunteered at the Tokyo Marathon runner registration desk on February 27th and March 1st. The volunteers are working as hard as they can to support runners from all over the world run through Tokyo in as comfortable a manner as possible in preparation for the main event on March 2nd.

A volunteer guided tour of the beautiful Japanese apricot garden and Lucky Cat Temple on a calm spring day

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Yesterday, I guided the people who are participating in JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) course to Hanegi Park in Setagaya and Gotokuji Temple, famous for its maneki-neko (beckoning cat). Japaanese apricot or ume blossoms are less well known than cherry blossoms, and there are few opportunities to see them overseas, but when JICA recruited participants for the tour, over 20 people applied, and the tour was divided into five groups. I was in charge of one of the groups and guided four people. The four people were from Vietnam, Egypt, and two from Kyrgyzstan, and most of them had never seen ume blossoms before.

In the ume plum garden, I tried to explain the history of ume blossoms, their develoipment from wild one, their fragrance, and how to enjoy the differences between the various varieties, so that they could learn as enjoyably as possible.

And since it was February 22nd, Cat Day in Japan, Gotokuji Temple was crowded with many people. Recently, the temple has become popular with foreigners, thanks to the cuteness of its maneki-neko (beckoning cat), and I explained the story behind how this temple became a maneki-neko temple, how it is different from a normal maneki-neko (it has its right paw raised, but it does not have a gold coin, so it is not directly inviting money), and how to properly handle maneki-neko. I also told the visitors not to immediately place the cat in the temple grounds after buying it, but to take it home with them and to be sure to return with it when their wish is granted, and we all prayed for their return to Japan and to this temple.

I have learned a lot from these tour guides, who are mostly volunteers, and I hope to be able to combine them well with regular tour guides and become a guide who can handle a wide range of needs. Most of the photos were taken during the site inspection.

Field workshop on Japanese apricot/ Ume plum

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Last weekend I hosted an observation event for Ume plum or Japanese apricot and other early spring plants at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden as an organizer as nature observation group in the Tokyo City Guide Club. I invited guides, not only knowledgeable about Ume blossoms and plants, but also about Koishikawa Korakuen Garden’s history, participants were able to hear a lot of interesting stories.

We were given a detailed explanation of the relationship between Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, which was the garden of the Mito clan’s upper residence in Tokyo, and Kairakuen Garden in Mito, which is famous as Ume blossom viewing spot. We also learned that for each plum blossom, the name of the variety can tell you to a certain extent what the shape of the flower and how it blooms, how to interpret the tree shape created by pruning, and how the shape of the flower changes even in one tree depending on the time of year it blooms, making our view of plum blossoms even more interesting.

I also learned a lot of eye-opening stories, such as the fact that the difference between Christmas camellia, which are about to end their season, and Japanese camellia Tsubaki, which are about to enter their peak season, can be easily understood from the perspective of Christmas camellia flowers, which are pollinated by insects, and Japanese camellia flowers, which are pollinated by birds. It seems that the plum blossoms are blooming and coming into full bloom late this year, so it looks like we’ll still be able to enjoy them.

Based on the results of observation workshop, I have also updated my ume plum or Japanese apricot encyclopedia page. Please take a look if you are interested. 

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

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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.

JICA calligraphy, event JICA書道体験
JICA calligraphy, event JICA書道体験
JICA calligraphy, event JICA書道体験
JICA calligraphy, event JICA書道体験
JICA calligraphy, event JICA書道体験

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

Best season of autumn leaves in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

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Beautiful Autumn Leaves

On Sunday, I guided a group of young people who are staying in Tokyo for a medium to long term, to Koishikawa Korakuen Garden as member of Tokyo City Guide Club. It was divided about 10 guests into four groups, and I guided two guests from India and Germany. The autumn leaves were in full bloom at that time, so I think the guests enjoyed themselves well.

However, since the pairings were decided at the entrance to the garden, it was the first time that both guides and guest group, so there were some confusions.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden was built to make people in Edo, who could not easily travel to Kyoto, to enjoy a simulated Kyoto trip, but it was some difference for participants from Germany, which had a similar feudal system, and participants from India, which has a different history, to understand the background. In addition, the English pronunciation of the guests was different, so it was difficult to communicate within the participants.

I have explained this garden many times before, and I had information in advance about the type of people I would be guiding, so I was able to plan the scenario and time allocation of my explanation to a certain extent, but I also had to worry about how much I should improvise to suit the pace and level of understanding of the two guests.

Also, because we were divided into four groups, we had to coordinate the viewing time for the whole group, and I had to skip some places to explain, so as a guide, I was a little worried and left with regrets about how much the group enjoyed. However, we were saved by the fact that the autumn leaves were at their best.

Astonishing autumn leaves at Kitanomaru Park

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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.

A quiet and beautiful day in Odaiba in late autumn

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Joyful volunteer work

The last day of November, the 30th, was a calm day in Tokyo, blessed with good weather. It had been a while since I last volunteered in the Odaiba area, and I was able to spend the time leisurely giving instructions to people looking for their destinations at Yurikamome stations or other places, and providing consultation to their next destination or the airport. As the autumn leaves in Odaiba have turned a lot, and looking at the Christmas lights, I began to feel like the end of the year was finally upon us.

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