The second CELESTA tour of the year, the “UONUMA & Iwagumi Masterclass,” took place from Monday, October 12 to Sunday, October 18. We were delighted to welcome six participants joining us from the United States, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). Departing from the coastal landscapes of our previous Sado Island tour, this trip shifted its central focus inland to the Uonuma region of Niigata Prefecture. Located just about an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train), Uonuma features a striking landscape shaped by dynamic tectonic activity since ancient times—a process known as the east-west compression of the Japanese archipelago. This history has sculpted undulating strata that stretch from the 2,000-meter-plus peaks of the Echigo Sanzan mountains down into the rolling Uonuma Hills.

Blessed with fine weather throughout the week, the tour kicked off with a major highlight: a trek along the Ikazawa River inside the V-shaped valley of the Ura-Makihata Gorge. Guided by Yusuke Homma, participants descended directly onto the riverbanks to observe nature’s own craftsmanship up close. They studied the strategic placement of massive boulders along the mountain stream, the swirling currents and carved riverbeds created downstream, and the natural arrangement of stones near the water’s edge—gaining vivid inspiration directly from the wild riverbed.

Later, at the Mizunashi River (a tributary of the Uono River), participants experienced another unique phenomenon. During this season, the river’s flow drops below the surface, traveling underground as sub-surface water.

Taking advantage of the dry riverbed, the group walked right into the channel for a Tanseki (stone-hunting) experience to search for the renowned “Hakkai Stone” (please note: stones were observed and appreciated on-site only; none were collected). With the water temporarily gone, participants could comfortably study how boulders, varied rock sizes, and gravel naturally settle along the river course—offering invaluable insights for aquascaping layouts.

Another unforgettable moment required an early 4:00 AM departure from our lodge to witness the rare natural spectacle known as Taki-gumo (“Waterfall of Clouds”) at Shiori Pass, a phenomenon that occurs only under specific clear and foggy conditions. After driving through the pre-dawn mountain mist, the group arrived at the viewpoint just before the sun rose over the peaks. Deep fog generated around Lake Okutadami and Ginzan-daira spilled gracefully over the mountain ridge, cascading down like a real waterfall. The participants were left spellbound by this grand display of nature.

The itinerary also included a visit to Teikan-en, a Nationally Designated Place of Scenic Beauty crafted in the mid-Edo period. This expansive traditional garden features a large pond, a backdrop waterfall, and an extraordinary arrangement of celebrated stones. Walking through the vivid, rain-moistened moss garden, the group received a lecture from the garden’s staff on the core design philosophy of Shuseki Hinboku—”Stones as the Master, Trees as the Guests.” They learned how stones remain fixed in place over generations, and how trees are meticulously pruned so as never to obscure the timeless presence of the rocks.

For the second half of the tour, the stage moved to the ADA NA Gallery in Niigata. Drawing directly from the Uonuma landscapes explored earlier in the week, the agenda centered around a live demonstration of creating an aquascape inside a 1,200 mm tank, followed by a hands-on Iwagumi workshop where participants built their own stone layouts in 600 mm tanks. To round out the experience, the group visited the reclaimed land of Yoroi-gata—the original landscape that inspired Takashi Amano to create Nature Aquarium—as well as Sakata Wetland, a Ramsar-registered site where tour guide Yusuke Homma actively pursues landscape and underwater photography. Visiting these sites allowed everyone to connect deeply with the primeval scenery of the Kanbara Plain and trace the roots of Amano’s early childhood memories.

Looking ahead to next spring, CELESTA is excited to announce our upcoming tour, “OIRASE & HOKKAIDO — Early Summer Exploration,” scheduled for May 22 (Sat) – May 28 (Fri). Starting from Tokyo, the journey travels north to the pristine Oirase Mountain Stream in Aomori. Spanning seven days across Hokkaido and Niigata, this tour will deeply intertwine Nature Aquarium layout design, untouched natural ecosystems, and practical layout theories. We look forward to embarking on this extraordinary journey with you!