Hands-On Bonsai Workshop: “A Small Forest for the Future”

On Sunday, 25 May 2025, we joined forces with the renowned bonsai collective TRADMAN’S BONSAI to deliver an unforgettable cultural event at ESC Garage & Club in Osaka. As we prepare for opening in September, this workshop shows NLCS Kobe’s commitment to offering a world-class international education that remains deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

The morning and afternoon sessions welcomed families eager to explore the art of bonsai—many for the very first time. Guided by TRADMAN’S BONSAI artists, children and their parents learned how to select seedlings, work with soil, prune branches, and gently shape their own miniature trees. The chance to use real tools and interact closely with living plants quickly captured everyone’s attention. A particularly memorable moment came when participants viewed a magnificent 300-year-old bonsai, a reminder of the care, patience, and artistry behind this centuries-old tradition.

By the end of the workshop, every child had created a unique “small tree” to take home—something they can nurture and watch grow in the months ahead.

Beyond Technique: Exploring Nature, Ownership, and Imagination

Between workshop sessions, our NLCS staff led an interactive mini–talk session, offering families a glimpse into the inquiry-based learning approach the school is known for. Children were encouraged to think more deeply about the meaning of bonsai and our relationship with the natural world. 

Questions such as:

• “What does a bonsai need to grow?”
• “Who does a bonsai belong to?”
• “If your bonsai could speak, what would it say?”

sparked enthusiastic and imaginative answers. Responses ranged from practical “water and soil!” to philosophical “it belongs to everyone!” 

Through this conversation, children began to explore themes such as care, creativity, responsibility, and the connection between people and nature, and showcased the curiosity and open thinking that we at NLCS Kobe aim to foster in our students.

Speaking about the event;

Teppei Kojima, Bonsai Producer, TRADMAN’S BONSA

“This event was incredibly refreshing as we received so many genuine and unique questions from the children—things we wouldn’t usually think about ourselves. It was also impressive to see the actively enjoying the process alongside their children. While often we host workshops for children, it was wonderful to see entire families engaging and sharing the experience this time.”

Kohachi Ikeda, Founder-Owner of NLCS Kobe and CEO, Hakko LR, Co., Ltd.

“What I wanted to convey through this event was that bonsai is simply ‘cool.’ It’s a cultural treasure cultivated over centuries, something for Japan to be extremely proud of. recognize this through their own senses, that’s my greatest joy.

“The idea for this project came from shared conversations with Teppei—about how incredible Japan truly is and how we wanted children to see that. With NLCS Kobe opening soon, this event was a chance to bring our shared vision to life.

“Even as an international school, we must provide opportunities for students to connect with the host country’s culture and identity. By doing so, we make Kobe a destination that people from around the world want to visit. We want to create a place where the best of Japan can be shared with the world.”

Matthew Williams, NLCS Kobe’s Founding Principal

shared his thoughts on the educational value of the event and sincere thanks to TRADSMAN’S BONSAI 

“I think bonsai is also very meaningful from an educational perspective. The idea that bonsai are not “something you own” but “something to be looked after and cared for” is a very important lesson for children. 

“They require careful daily care, such as watering twice a day in summer. I think it is this kind of effort that fosters consideration and a sense of responsibility. Also, while bonsai can live for decades or even centuries, they are very delicate creatures. I think the fact that they possess both “permanence” and “transience” was a point that made the children think deeply.

“Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at TRADMAN’S BONSAI. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to teach our school about bonsai and the traditions behind it. I am filled with gratitude for creating such a valuable opportunity for our children to learn such important things.”

NLCS Kobe’s Vision: A World-Class Education Rooted in Japan

This event offered families a meaningful preview of NLCS Kobe’s educational philosophy: blending rigorous, world-leading academics with rich, hands-on experiences grounded in Japanese tradition and the natural environment.

We believe that workshops like this one encourage children to have a deeper appreciation for both the world around them and Japanese culture, something that lies at the heart of the school’s mission. The bonsai experience illustrates how learning at NLCS Kobe extends beyond the classroom and into the everyday world.

You can read more in a full report of the event and the Q&A session with TRADMANS BONSAI, on NLCS Kobe’s Note account.

Read more about NLCS Kobe’s approach to providing an exceptional International education blended with Japanese language and culture.