[Commemorating the Chelsea Flower Show Return] Landscape Designer Kazuyuki Ishihara and Kanda Myojin Head Priest Yoshihiko Shimizu in Special Conversation! "Why is the world attracted to Japanese gardens?" to be held on June 14.

On June 14, 2026, we will host a special talk event at Kanda Myojin titled "Why is the world attracted to Japanese gardens?" featuring landscape designer Kazuyuki Ishihara, who has received global acclaim at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show.

This event, commemorating his return from the Chelsea Flower Show, will look back on Mr. Ishihara's works and challenges on the world stage, and explore how he has communicated the aesthetic consciousness of Japanese gardens to the world and polished them into a "Japanese brand." He will also discuss how his work was received by the British Royal Family and the future of Japanese gardening culture.

In addition, this time, "Landscape Bonsai" (Bonkei) works advocated by Mr. Ishihara will be presented within the shrine grounds. You can actually experience his unique worldview that expresses Japan's satoyama and natural landscapes in a small space by combining moss, flowers, and stones. This event is designed not just as a lecture, but as a place to "feel Japanese aesthetics with all five senses."

On the day, Kanda Myojin Head Priest Yoshihiko Shimizu will also be on stage. He will talk about how to regenerate the Chinju-no-mori (sacred forest) in an urban shrine and the role of shrines in modern society.

The moderator will be Toshiya Uekawa, a sociologist, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, and Representative Director of the Chiyoda Central Cultural Exchange Promotion Organization. With a research theme of "how to convert culture into social, urban, and regional value," he has been involved in disseminating the cultural value of Jimbocho and is working on the re-editing and dissemination of Japanese culture. In this session, focusing on the theme of "how can we brand Japan in the current world?", we will delve into the possibilities of "Japanese culture that spreads to the world" originating from gardening culture.

Through this event, we aim for participants to take home:
* An understanding of the essence of "Japanese aesthetics" that is valued by the world
* Perspectives for communicating culture as "brand value"
* Hints for Japanese culture dissemination that can be applied to regional culture, tourism, and corporate activities
* A hands-on experience of Japanese cultural sensibility

This is a special session for those involved in culture, tourism, regional development, and corporate branding, as well as anyone interested in the future of Japanese culture.

[Event Overview]
Event Name: Kazuyuki Ishihara × Kanda Myojin Head Priest Yoshihiko Shimizu Special Talk Event "Why is the world attracted to Japanese gardens?"
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Program:
Reception: 13:15
Formal Visit: 13:30–13:45
Special Conversation: 14:00–15:30
Art Appreciation: 15:30–16:00
Venue: Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center EDOCCO, 4th Floor "Reiwa-no-Ma"
(2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Participation Fee: 5,000 yen (includes formal visit Tamagushi fee)
* Special commentary by Kazuyuki Ishihara on the works installed in the shrine grounds
* Includes a commemorative pamphlet
Capacity: 45 people (first-come, first-served basis)
Application URL: https://jp-culture.or.jp/20260614-2/