Interviewers/Authors: Hikaru Sasaki, Yuria Nishimura

Mr. Yoshihiro Imai (Manager)

Sukoyaka Sagano Farm is an agricultural experience farm located in Sagahirosawa, Ukyo-ku. Unlike ordinary citizens’ farms, where you can freely farm by renting small plots, this is a farm where you can experience consistent farming from planting to harvesting under the guidance of the farmer. Seedlings, fertilizers, and tools are all provided by the farm and Mr. Imai, who is an agricultural expert, gives careful guidance so beginners can join without worry. This farm focuses on growing vegetables without pesticides, and uses organic farming techniques, so it is possible to harvest safe and delicious vegetables. In addition, the farm is used by participants of all ages from children to adults, as a platform for local people to interact with each other and grow vegetables together.

― How long have you been working at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?

Mr. Imai: I have been working here for 6 years since 2015.

― What is your main job or role at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?

Mr. Imai: In addition to our traditional farm work of selling harvested vegetables to supermarkets, we try to contribute to the local area by broadening the roles of farmers as I suppose that is the future of farming. For instance, we provide guidance to local people on farm work to help them learn about agriculture. We also grow rice in Nantan City and Kameoka City and besides Sukoyaka Sagano Farm, there are fields in the Kameoka and Kisshoin areas. We are also working with university teachers to develop new vegetables.

― Please tell me about your daily work at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm.

Mr. Imai: My son oversees administration duties for the farm, and I mainly manage the fields, giving advice on planting and harvesting to those who come out for the agriculture experience. We also decide what vegetables to grow and the amount to grow. We plan for our farms in each season and provide advice on how well each person is taking care of his or her own plots, so that people can share the joy of harvesting.

― Do you think Sukoyaka Sagano Farm has a special role in the lives of Ukyo-ku and Ukyo-ku residents?

Mr. Imai: My role is to help people return to the basics of learning how vegetables are produced. Since this area is close to the city center, there are many people who are not so familiar with agriculture and its developments.  So, my role is to provide such people with firsthand experience of the natural growth of vegetables, so that they can gain knowledge about agriculture, and to share knowledge with others, so that people of all ages can communicate and make connections through farming. The role of Sukoyaka Sagano Farm is to create a fun community for people to participate in such activities.

― What role do you hope to play in your community in the future?

Mr. Imai: I believe that the activities we are carrying out today will help us to be more responsible to the local community. We have contributed in many ways, and I think we are spreading the basic ideas of what can be done through agriculture.

― What age group of people participate in the farming experience? Also, do you have any ideas to invite people of other ages to participate in this farming experience?

Mr. Imai: There are participants of all ages joining this farm experience. There are many people with parents and children. However, recently due to the influence of COVID-19, some university students began participating with their friends on holidays, as well as volunteers from Kodomo Shokudo (a special restaurant for children in need) to provide healthy food for their menus. For elderly people, there are those who want to be out in the sun once a day, or those who want to just take a walk in the fields. They can gather to meet their needs. We also have become involved with the curriculum of local kindergartens and elementary schools. We encourage all who are interested to learn more about our programs through our website and pamphlets.

― What do you want the participants to learn the most through the farming experience?

Mr. Imai: I would like people to learn more about agriculture and enjoy farming based on this knowledge. Furthermore, I hope that more people can experience how delicious organic vegetables are, and that eating them will lead to a wholesome and healthy life.

― What kind of vegetables do you grow at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm? Are you planning to grow new or rare kinds of vegetables in the future?

Mr. Imai: I am always looking for new vegetables to be able to grow. We also receive requests about new vegetables from people who participate in the Sukoyaka Sagano Farm, so we sometimes choose the vegetables to grow in response to those requests. We have grown more than 50 kinds of vegetables so far. Kyoto has a variety of original vegetables called Kyo-Yasai (Kyoto vegetables) and continues to develop new varieties. I think it will be our new challenge to grow these on the farm.

― How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?

Mr. Imai: Due to the COVID-19 situation, gathering at a farm is different from before and we need to be careful. We ask participants to wear masks and face shields, and to disinfect their hands. At the same time, we try to avoid crowded situations; for example, we provide several guidance sessions in smaller groups. On the other hand, there are more people who want to take up farming as a hobby to possibly escape from working remotely. On the farm they can relax and be rejuvenated by working in nature. So, I think we have created a place for people to be with their families and interact with others in a healthy way.

― If you could connect with Sukoyaka Sagano Farm overseas, what would you like to teach people overseas?

Mr. Imai: There are about 150 farms across Japan that offer agricultural experiences, and they are mainly in Tokyo as the network of farms expanded after the decision was made to host the Olympics. International visitors to Japan can try out Japanese agriculture as part of a sightseeing activity and experience our high-quality and delicious vegetables which we are very proud of. Currently, there are three international people who participate in the farm program: two are from France and one is from Germany. We teach them how to take care of crops and how to harvest them using farming methods that suit Japan’s climate and soil. They get excited to talk about how to cook and eat vegetables with others without caring about their cultural differences. I hope that this will be a place for them to learn more about Japan and its food culture.

Interviewers/Authors: Ayane Maekawa, Hina Yamanaka

Mr. Naoki Ueda (Vice Chairman)

Mr. Taiji Matsuno (International Department Manager)

Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School is a Japanese language and culture school that offers courses to students from various countries. “Min” means “exchanges between people” and “Minsai” refers to the “interaction between people from different cultures”. The school values people-to-people exchanges through education in language and culture, and it strives to nurture international people who can play an active role in the world, while contributing to world peace. In this interview, Mr. Ueda, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Matsuno, International Department Manager, shared with us the main activities and philosophy of Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School.

― How long have you both been working at Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School, (hereinafter referred to as Kyoto Minsai).

Mr. Ueda: Before, I was working for a resource development company, but I wanted to work in management. I heard about this job at Kyoto Minsai, and I joined the company in October 2019.

Mr. Matsuno: I have been working since 2009, after completing the 3-month Japanese language teacher training course offered by Kyoto Minsai.

― What are your main jobs and roles in Kyoto Minsai?

Mr. Ueda: We aim to create a school that is needed by both the local and international communities, and we are working to create a workplace where teachers and staff can work together with a sense of satisfaction.

Mr. Matsuno: I do a variety of things related to sales and promotion, such as holding interviews overseas to bring in foreign students and assisting applicants in the application process for the visa required for studying in Japan.

― What kind of jobs and activities do you do every day or week for Kyoto Minsai?

Mr. Ueda: In the teaching department, we instruct students about Japanese language, Japanese culture, and career paths. Regarding administrative jobs, we manage the school and students, and communicate with various government officials regarding our students. The online business division, which began last year, also provides online lessons and information via SNS.

Mr. Matsuno: Our school has four entries a year, so I’m usually very busy assisting foreign students with their visa applications when they apply to Kyoto Minsai. I am also in charge of school promotions to meet with prospective students and study abroad agencies.

― For the students studying Japanese at Kyoto Minsai, what are their main goals?

Mr. Matsuno: There are two courses at our school. The Long-Term Course prepares students to enter a Japanese vocational school, university, or graduate school. The Short-Term Course is for those who want to work in Japan or work in their home country using Japanese.

― What part of your job at Kyoto Minsai  is most rewarding for you?

Mr. Ueda: I feel rewarded when I see the growth of students, teachers and staff members through their everyday efforts. It’s even better if I have been involved in the process of their growth. 

Mr. Matsuno: I get involved with the students early on at the interview stage, so watching their growth through their studies is extremely rewarding. At first, they can’t speak Japanese at all, but as I see them gradually learning Japanese and using the language for conversation, I become satisfied with my work.

― Why did you choose to establish Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School in Ukyo Ward?

Mr. Ueda: Kyoto is famous for its history, culture, tradition, and art. It also puts a lot of effort and support into education and tourism, so I thought it was the best place for foreign students to learn about Japan. Within Kyoto, Ukyo Ward has a quiet and calm environment that is good for students, and I also thought it was easily accessible to various areas as it is in the center of Kyoto.

― As a Japanese language school in Ukyo Ward, what kind of relationships have you developed with the local community?

Mr. Matsuno: We were asked by the Ukyo Police Station to record announcements in five languages to use at some tourist destinations. The announcements made by the students at that time are still being used in the bamboo grove of Arashiyama.

― What is the most impressive thing about Kyoto Minsai for both of you?

Mr. Ueda: As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued, it has been difficult for some students to live comfortably. Residents and entrepreneurs donated food and other resources to support the students. I was most impressed and even cried when seeing our students’ smiles when I was able to distribute these donated goods. This motivated me to work even harder for them.

Mr. Matsuno: I remember a student who I taught Japanese at a university in Indonesia for three years. At that time, she could not speak Japanese at all, but after she graduated from university, she came to study at our school and after that she passed the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Furthermore, she was able to work for a company in Japan.

― What are your plans for Kyoto Minsai in playing a greater role in the community in the future?

Mr. Ueda: I hope we can introduce more technology into our education programs and continue to work with local people to address local issues concerning our school and students.

Mr. Matsuno: In particular, many students from Southeast Asia are interested in becoming caregivers in Japan, so I hope that we can better match healthcare employers with students who want to become caregivers.

― Finally, what do you think is the most important thing about Kyoto Minsai?

Mr. Ueda: Our educational philosophy is “Through the education of Japanese culture, we aim at fostering global citizens who understand, accept, and love the ideas of others and cultures of different countries and regions. Not by means of interaction between a country and a country, but by having interaction between people and people with Japanese language and culture as the catalyst, we cultivate the mindset of mutual understanding, and we believe these efforts lead to world peace.” I hope we can share this with people in the local community and work together towards the same goal.

Interviewers/Authors: Chiharu Miyamoto, Ruka Sasaki

The Reverend Ryujun Oishi

Ninnaji Temple was founded in 888 AD and is now the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. There are historical buildings that were built in the Edo era such as Gojunoto Pagoda and Niomon Gate and it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. On the day of the interview, we first visited the Ninnaji Temple complex, guided by Rev. Ryujun Oishi, a senior priest. We were able to listen to many interesting stories, such as certain information on Emperor Hirohito’s connection to the temple around the end of World War II, the story of wood used in the main building, and the story of the pictures painted on sliding paper doors (fusuma). After the interview, we were also able to experience a virtual reality exhibition showcasing the temple’s national treasures and became so excited to see the Buddha statues, national treasures and important cultural properties, up so close on VR. We asked about the digitization efforts and what role Ninnaji Temple plays in Ukyo Ward. In addition to Rev. Oishi, we were able to speak with Rev. Gishin Kanazaki, the section manager of Ninnaji.

― How long have you been working at Ninnaji Temple?

Rev. Oishi: I have been working as both a chief Buddhist priest and a civil servant since I was in my twenties. I retired in my sixties and then in 2014 when I was 66 the current head priest of Ninnaji Temple, who was a classmate of mine from university, asked me to come to Ninnaji to work.

― What is your main role at the temple?

Rev. Oishi: I’m primarily a finance manager, but I’m also in charge of the maintenance of the landscape, and work in visitor services at Ninnaji Temple. At present, it is an important task to rebuild our finances due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19.

― What kind of place is Ninnaji Temple for residents living in Ukyo Ward?

Rev. Oishi: We try to provide a place for people to feel at ease and I want everyone to relax. I also would like to create an environment where people can talk with monks to ease their concerns.

― In what ways do you think Ninnaji Temple can contribute to the local community in the future?

Rev. Oishi: I think we should inform people in Ukyo Ward more about Ninnaji Temple so they can feel connected with the temple complex. During the light up events in spring and autumn, we schedule a special day and invite Ukyo Ward residents to come for free, but this service is not well known yet. We also provide a space in the temple for people to come together to eat bentos (boxed lunches) and it is a good way to develop strong connections with the local community.  We hope to create more opportunities to connect with the residents of Ukyo-ku.

― Please tell us about “Cleaning Volunteers”.

Rev. Oishi: “Cleaning Volunteers” is the name of a project in which volunteers clean the temple grounds and the Omuro Pilgrimage trail, which is a 2-hour walking course behind Ninnaji Temple. Our goal is to organize 100 volunteers, and currently we have between 20 and 40 people registered. About 20 students from Ritsumeikan University volunteer with the project and the rest are general volunteers. We would like more people to join this project.

― In addition to Ninnaji Temple, Kyoto has many historic temples and tourist destinations. However, in some places multilingual information is lacking, and this is an issue Kyoto is facing due to the increase of foreign tourists. What is Ninnaji Temple doing to provide services for foreign visitors?

Rev. Oishi: We have received a grant from the government to assist us in providing multilingual support in languages such as English, Chinese, French and Korean. Many temples and sites in Kyoto have the latest digital technology, and at Ninnaji Temple visitors can use their smartphones to access QR codes on various signs which provide enhanced 3D maps and information in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

― We saw the map of the precincts of Ninnaji Temple on the website and thought it was rare that there was a universal access version for people in wheelchairs or with strollers. Could you tell us how you came up with the idea of making these maps?

Rev. Oishi: The universal access version was created with a grant from the Japanese government in cooperation with Kyoto University.

Rev. Kanazaki: Because this temple complex is so large, we made maps to assist first-time visitors. Moreover, we are currently taking measures to increase the number of younger visitors to the temple. For example, for the design of the temple’s brochure we used three-dimensional images and an image of a cloudy sky instead of a blue sky on the cover. In addition, we regularly hold art exhibitions in spaces around the complex. I hope that these efforts will gain the recognition of young people and will lead to an increase in the number of visitors to the temple in the future.  

― What do you consider are the most important things necessary to continue the legacy and the history of Ninnaji Temple?

Rev. Oishi: We continuously pray for peace and happiness all over the world. I hope we are creating an environment at Ninnaji Temple where everyone can feel happy with their life, as well as experience a sense of peace while visiting Ninnaji Temple.