Youth Gardeners Realize Their Dreams Exploring Japanese Landscape Artisanship
The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan worked with Kosugi Zohen Co. Ltd. and successfully secured funding from the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative program of the Youth Development Administration of the Ministry of Education. Kosugi Zohen, founded in 1673, is a globally renowned company specializing in Japanese garden design and construction. The company won the Gold Medal in the Landscape Gardening category of the 39th WorldSkills Competition in 2007.
Ten young people who were studying landscape-related courses or engaged in garden and landscape related professions were selected to travel to Japan for a two-week intensive training in Japanese garden design and construction from July 13 to 28, 2025. The program, organized by Kosugi Zohen, combined theory and practice: during their two weeks of training, the participants attended academic lectures on the aesthetics and philosophy of Japanese gardens given by scholars and engaged in direct hands-on training under the guidance of master gardeners. The participants also enjoyed field visits to iconic Japanese gardens in Tokyo and Kyoto, and further cultural immersion, participating in a traditional festival in Atami City and other traditional activities.
The participants reflected on their experiences in their training reports, one writing: “After learning the theoretical aspects of Japanese gardens, I realized that Japanese gardens are a unique form of landscape art. They are not only a visual experience, but also a spiritual one.” Others expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Education for providing such a valuable overseas learning opportunity, and to the Japanese host company for the dedicated guidance and warm support they received. They all found the training truly meaningful and considered it to be one of the most beautiful and profound chapters in their lives.
