Accompanying Persons' Program (optional)
September 11-13 during the conference

The cultural programs (A, B and C) are free of charge and supported by volunteers in Tsukuba (materials are paid for by the APACE Conference secretariat); and are held in the conference venue at Epochal.

Welcome to the Japanese art of flower arrangement. To bring out the full beauty of each flower, the empty space left between them are carefully planned, expressing a uniquely Japanese esthetic sensibility. You can bring back the concept and a nice original photo, even though you cannot take out the flowers. Participants will have a wonderful time through the cultural exchange of Ikebana!.

It is one of the quintessential expression of Japanese esthetics. Tea ceremony is a discipline for sharing time with one's guest and fostering communion with one's own soul. Anyone, even those who have no knowledge of tea ceremony etiquette, can enjoy having green tea and sweets. The best tea break for this meeting!

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of folding a single square sheet of paper into a shape or object without using glue and scissors. Today, Japanese origami has become a world famous cultural emblem. Participants can learn how to fold origami from the basic (Valley Fold, Mountain Fold....) to some famous classic origami techniques (Crane, Yakko-san [Manservant], Balloon etc).

Excursion

An excursion will be scheduled and conducted by two fully qualified English speaking guides. Advance reservation is necessary at the Registration Desk. Participant will be issued a ticket and an identification badge on which you are requested to write your name. The badge must be worn during the excursion. Please note that tickets will be collected at the beginning of the excursion.

Meeting point: Information Desk at 12:00
Bus tour including light lunch: 1200 Yen

The first full-scale winery in Japan, Chateau Kamiya, was built in 1903 by Denbei Kamiya. The main building is of French-style masonry architecture with a reddish-brown wall, green roof and a white clock. Indeed, the color coordination gives us the impression of a Western-style culture. Denbei Kamiya, left Japan for France to undergo training and acquired techniques in wine making and as such was able to produce wine that was appealing to the Japanese people by removing the bitterness and making it sweet. Besides wine production, he successfully expanded his liquor business through Japanese liquor and whisky production. The exhibition building currently houses wine barrels and tools used for wine production.
One can find huge grassy picnic areas, restaurants, a souvenir shop with a recent addition of a new central court.
http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bukyoku/seikan/
kokuko/e-ibaraki-report/0607kamiya.html *Carrying capacity is less than 26 people.

– An Adventure to Tokyo –
Get on a Tsukuba Express Train, and you can reach Downtown Tokyo within 45 minutes!

Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is the oldest temple in Tokyo and attracts tourists from around the world. It takes 41 minutes from Tsukuba Express Station.

Bus Tours in Tokyo

You can make your own plan for a day tour at:
http://www.jtbgmt.com/suprisetour [SUNRISE TOUR]
http://www.hatobus.co.jp/ [HATO BUS]
Half Day City Tour: Tokyo Morning;Tokyo Afternoon etc.
Full Day City Tour: Dynamic Tokyo; Panoramic Tokyo etc.

Please visit our Information Desk at the Congress Center Epochal during the conference (11:00 am - 4:00 pm)