Into the Snow Country Forests — Where Nature and Culture Converge

The journey begins in Niigata and leads into the snowy landscapes of Uonuma, where nature and human culture have long coexisted. Walking through forest paths and ravines once photographed by Takashi Amano, participants learn to observe nature as composition—light and shadow, depth, layering, and subtle balance. In the afternoon, the group visits Hakkaisan Brewery, where water, rice, and fermentation reveal Uonuma’s natural cycles. A cable car ascent offers panoramic views, highlighting changes in vegetation and landscape with altitude.

The Philosophy Residing in Stone — Gardens, Zen, and the Origins of Expression

This day explores the evolution of Japanese spatial philosophy through gardens and temples.

At Teikanen Garden, participants observe refined stone placement and negative space shaped by over 350 years of snow-country garden culture—an approach that deeply influenced Amano’s view of Iwagumi. Historic temple visits culminate in a zazen meditation experience, offering insight into the mental posture required to face nature without preconception. Stillness and observation reveal how silence, emptiness, and restraint form the foundation of expressive composition in both gardens and the Nature Aquarium.

Facing Stone — The Philosophy of Iwagumi

Before sunrise, participants may witness the dramatic Waterfall Clouds, a natural phenomenon photographed by Amano that reveals the scale and rhythm of the landscape. Later, along mountain rivers formed by snowmelt from the Hakkai range, participants search for and study Hakkai Stones in their natural environment. By touching and observing stones shaped by water and time, participants learn to read form, balance, erosion, and relationships—discovering that Iwagumi begins not in the aquarium, but in nature itself. This day forms the conceptual core of the masterclass.

Touching the Core of the Nature Aquarium

Building on experiences in Uonuma, participants move into hands-on creation at the ADA Nature Aquarium Gallery. Under the guidance of Yusuke Homma, a W1200mm layout is created, translating natural principles into aquarium composition. The seminar reveals the decision-making behind layout design—how balance, rhythm, and spatial tension are formed, and how restraint often carries greater power than excess.

Maintenance and Structure — Nature Aquarium as Practice

This day focuses on continuity rather than creation. Through a maintenance seminar, participants learn how Nature Aquariums are sustained over time, emphasizing observation, balance, and patience. In the afternoon, participants undertake the Iwagumi Challenge, creating their own stone compositions. With individual feedback from Yusuke Homma, compositional intent, center of gravity, and the use of negative space become clearer.

Origins and the Future — Inheriting the Nature Aquarium

A highlight of the tour is a special visit to the residence of Takashi Amano, where participants view the iconic 4-meter Nature Aquarium and garden. Through close observation and explanation, participants gain rare insight into the origins of Amano’s vision and its influence on the future of the Nature Aquarium. The journey concludes with a closing ceremony at ADA, including certificate presentation and reflection on the week’s experiences.

The Role of the Nature Aquarium in the City

Returning to Tokyo, participants explore how Nature Aquarium philosophy is expressed in an urban context. At Sumida Aquarium, participants view large-scale public aquariums created by Amano, learning how natural landscapes are translated into shared urban spaces. The final visit to ADALAB presents the cutting edge of aquarium and paludarium design, before the tour officially concludes at Tokyo Station.