Watch an online explanation for our 2027 program on YouTube!
Want to know more about Ueyakato Landscape's 2027 Japanese Garden Training Program? Check out our online explanation held on September 25!
Japanese Garden Training Program
2027 Program Details
The Kyoto Garden : A Permanent Tradition of Innovative Freedom
As Japan’s capital, Kyoto was the seat of national culture for 1,200 years. Garden culture was no exception, and today Kyoto still has many gardens that have been designated national cultural properties. Both in terms of garden creation and garden management, Kyoto has evolved an aesthetic sense of its very own that is still alive today.
As a Kyoto landscaping firm with a history dating back to the nineteenth century, Ueyakato Landscape has an expertise in Japanese garden management and creation that can only be acquired over multiple generations of supporting the scenery of historic gardens across Kyoto. Over this 5-day training program, participants will not only study our record of garden management and creation, they will learn from it how to create and nurture Japanese garden scenery that expresses the enduring features of the Japanese garden tradition, but also boldly adapts that tradition to the needs of different times and places.
On the morning of the first day, our company president Tomoki Kato, who is also a professor at Kyoto University of the Arts, will lecture on Ueyakato Landscape’s philosophy of garden management and creation. In the afternoon, we will visit gardens managed and fostered by Ueyakato Landscape. On the second day, garden management will be taught by a veteran gardener who has overseen the gardens of Nanzen-ji Temple for many years. On the third day, one of Ueyakato Landscape’s garden researchers will lead an excursion to temple gardens in Kyoto that incorporate a broad range of garden styles. After observing and training in Japanese gardens, the course’s final two days will be completing a Japanese garden space with veteran gardeners who have created countless Japanese gardens.
This video shares some scenes from our 2025 program and conveys the close communication between instructors and participants featured at each year's program.
Application guidelines
- Schedule (tentative)
- April 19-23（Mon.-Fri.）
- Day 1
- AM Lecture (Lecturer: Tomoki Kato, Professor at Kyoto University of the Arts)
PM Garden excursions
Welcome lunch - Day 2
- Garden management training（A traditional Japanese garden under Ueyakato Landscape management）
- Day 3
- Garden excursions
- Day 4
- Garden creation training
- Day 5
- Garden creation training
Dinner party - Price:
- ￥550,000-
*The above tuition covers the cost of tools, footwear, travel expenses and garden entry fees during training as well as lunchtime food and drink expenses, and a dinner party on the last day. Participants bear the cost of lodging expenses and travel expenses to Ueyakato Landscape. - Cancellation policy:
- A 100% cancellation fee will be incurred for any cancellations occurring after a final decision is made about whether to hold or cancel the event.
A 30% cancellation fee shall apply to any cancellations occurring after the application deadline. - Participants:
- 5 people. (3 person minimum)
- Application deadline:
- November 30, 2026 (Mon.)9:00 JST
- Applicant selection:
- All applicants will be screened to ensure their participation goals match the goals of this program. Applicants will be accepted on the basis of how well their participation goals match the goals of this program.
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by email on December 8, 4:00 PM (JST).
Successful applicants must make their payments by December 15 4:00 PM (JST) of this notification. Acceptance of applications for which payment is not confirmed within one week will be cancelled and transferred to waitlisted candidates. - How to Apply:
- Fill the required items into the form below and submit your own resume. There is no required format for the resume, but please make sure to include the following information.
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Education Record, including higher education major
- Employment Record
- Reason for applying to this program（Maximum 150 words）
- Portfolio (if available)
*Above schedule is subject to change
Instructors
Tomoki KATO:
As Ueyakato Landscape company president and a professor at Kyoto University of the Arts, Tomoki Kato has been consistently committed to pursuing and promoting an active Japanese garden tradition based on solid skills, knowledge, and aesthetic taste. As a scholar, he conducts research grounded in practical learning that contributes to how Japanese gardens are both managed and enjoyed today. He gives frequent lectures both in Japan and abroad, including the 2014 and 2018 keynote speeches at the international conference of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA).
Yoshiki KATO:
As Ueyakato Landscape‘s executive director, Yoshiki Kato has overseen garden management and construction projects at over 400 gardens under our company’s management, including gardens nationally designated as cultural properties. In 2003, the year he assumed his current position, Kyoto Prefecture certified him as a “Master Craftsman of Tomorrow,” a designation awarded to young craftsmen exhibiting excellence in their work, and in 2022 he was additionally designated a “Master Craftsman of Today.” From 2016-22, he served as the chairman of the Association of Kyoto Street Tree Pruners.
Mitsuru YAMAGUCHI:
A top-class technical craftsman with over 20 years of experience in Japanese garden creation both in and beyond Japan.
Not only can he read the meaning behind a Japanese garden’s space at a glance, he also has the ability to create new methods of Japanese garden construction.
Combining the world of classic Japanese gardens with more modern elements, he continually challenges himself to provide higher quality spaces and has received the Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture’s highest award.
A leader for Ueyakato Landscape’s gardeners and an instructor with a wealth of experience teaching abroad.
Repeat Participant Program
In autumn 2027, we will hold an additional "advanced" course for repeat participants who have already taken our regular spring program. Past participants interested in immersing themselves even more fully in Kyoto garden training are encouraged to apply! We will share the details of this course with our participants from earlier programs during winter 2027.
This program is organized by the Heritage and Garden Artistry Division of Ueyakato Landscape.
Please send all inquiries to the following email address.
Heritage and Garden Artistry Division
Ueyakato Landscape
email: chizai@ueyakato.co.jp