Karuizawa Nature
Adventure 2023

Every day we will experience what nature has to offer in different environments. The locations include volcanic fields, waterfalls, bird watching, cooking over a campfire, and Japanese culture.

Ages 4 - 6 Years Old

Week 1: Jul 24 - 28
Week 2: Jul 31 - Aug 4
Week 3: Aug 7 - 11
Week 4: Aug 14 - 18

Register by April 24 and save ¥10,000 yen with our Early Bird Discount
A student has fun by a river with the Tokyo Children's Garden Summer Program

Program Information

Camp Dates

Week 1: July 24 - 28, 2023
Week 2: July 31 - August 4, 2023
Week 3: August 7 - 11, 2023
Week 4: August 14 - 18, 2023

Register by April 24 and save ¥10,000 yen with our Early Bird Discount
  • Ages

    4 to 6 Years Old

  • Camp Time

    9:00am - 3:00pm

  • Location

    Rising Field Karuizawa

  • Fee

    ¥154,000 per week

Frequently asked questions

What will my child do during Nature Adventure?
We will spend the week in various destinations around Karuizawa. The whole day will be spent in nature no matter the weather condition. The child led curriculum will inspire the counselors to create provocations for the group. Some inspirations could be distinguishing leaves, trajectory of rocks, knot tying, stick play, circle of life, and many more.
Where will we meet?
We will pick up and drop off at Karuizawa Station South Exit near the rotary. (Google Maps Link)
Where will Nature Adventure go?

Our list of locations include (Locations might change depending on the weather and circumstances)

Rising Field - An all inclusive campsite that ranges from bushcraft to glamping. There is the potential of hiking, waterplay, spotting wild animals, cooking, and much much more  

Kumanokotai Shrine - A shrine in between Nagano and Gunma prefecture. The traditional Japanese shrine is deep in the forest with a lot of exploration of culture, geography, hiking, and even a sacred magical tree.  

Sengataki Waterfall - This waterfall is smaller than Shiraito Falls which means it’s more peaceful and allows for more exploration.

Onioshidashi Volcanic Park - A destination where we can feel the power of the earth. With a vantage point of Asama we can learn about the formation of the area and see a glimpse of the active volcano.

Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary - A wonderful place to observe flora and fauna. There is a feeding pond where birds gather and plenty of nature for adventure.

What about the weather?
Weather is one of the most valuable teachers. We will follow the Japan Meteorological Agency when there is inclement weather we will cancel for the day.
Is there a curriculum?
Nature Adventure uses an emergent curriculum. We follow the children’s interest throughout the day with supplemental materials to enhance learning.
Is it dangerous?
The safety of the children is our first and utmost concern. We make sure to scout the area to mark out the hazards which the children do not have knowledge of. Part of learning self awareness for the children is finding out their threshold in order to be more risk-averse. Risky play and tool use are part of the life skills learning if they choose to participate.
What is the ratio of teachers to students?
We are here to provide the best education possible with a low teacher to students ratio of 1:3
What are the requirements?
We do require the child to be potty trained. They should also be able to carry and load a backpack for at least 15 mins. Proper layering/clothing for the day is a must.
What should we wear? Are there any "Must Haves"?

As you prepare for an unforgettable summer camp experience, it's crucial to dress appropriately for the weather. To help you choose the proper attire, we recommend visiting Picchio's excellent climate-based clothing resource: https://picchio.co.jp/climate/.

In addition to the clothing recommendations provided by Picchio, please ensure your camper has the following essential items for a comfortable and enjoyable experience at our summer camp:

Must Haves for TCG Summer Campers

  1. Long, breathable pants: Choose hiking pants or track pants over jeans to prevent scratches. (Example)
  2. Long sleeve breathable shirt: This will protect campers from the sun and insect bites.
  3. Breathable T-shirt with light jacket: Allows for layering and comfort. (Example)
  4. Close-toed shoes: These protect feet from branches, rocks, and insects.
  5. Hat: Provides additional sun protection.
  6. 500ml+ water bottle with a cup: Ensures campers stay hydrated. (Example)
  7. Complete set of spare clothes: In case of accidents or weather changes.
  8. Outdoor appropriate backpack: It should be comfortable for children to carry for long durations. (Example)

Recommendations for Choosing Outdoor Wear:

  • Consider buying a larger size jacket so it can be worn over winter clothes.
  • Encourage layering so children can easily regulate their body temperature.

Additional Gear Suggestions:

  • Rain pants: Look for pants that cover up to the chest with suspenders and have foot loops for a secure fit. (Example)
  • Boots: Opt for boots with handles on both sides for easy wear and removal. (Example)

Recommended Shop: For high-quality, sustainable, and affordable outdoor wear from Finland, visit https://www.reimajapan.com/.

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Our 2023 Team!

Portrait of Tokyo Children's Garden Summer 2023: Karuizawa Nature Adventure Camp Advisor & Consultant Tsuyoshi “Yoshi” Domoto
Tsuyoshi “Yoshi” Domoto
Camp Advisor & Consultant

Yoshi was born in Sapporo but had an international upbringing, spending his childhood in Taiwan, Hong Kong (China) and South Korea until he left for the United States for University.

His passion for education was ignited in 2014 during the time when Yoshi worked for a non-profit in Honduras when he learned that his homestay sister had only four books at home. Because he believes quality education should be accessible to all, he crowdsourced a project that resulted in the establishment of the town’s first community library (e-libro project).

Yoshi has organized, managed and delivered successful summer camp programs in previous seasons in Tokyo, Nagano and Gunma prefectures as the Country Manager of a programming school for kids and also as the Director of an academic institution for international school students in Tokyo.

Yoshi currently works as an educational consultant where he advises and consults international schools, educational institutions and individual families who want to provide a quality education for their children. He holds a Masters of Education in Technology, Innovation and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (MA 2017).

Portrait of Tokyo Children's Garden Summer 2023: Karuizawa Nature Adventure Head Counselor Kai Chang
Kai Chang
Head Counselor

His fondest memories as a child were playing outdoors in the creek with friends, camping with the Cub Scouts of America, and being outside. We built makeshift rafts, explored the neighborhood, learnt about our environment, and dealt with the weather without adult supervision. His passion is to give that right to explore, play and be in nature back to the children in an educational setting. Realizing the need to for education in an outdoor environment Kai founded iForest - International Forest School in Tokyo.

In the pursuit to become a confident outdoor counselor Kai began seeking a profession in education in 2007. Starting with the U.S. Peace Corps to a MS in Early Childhood and Family Development from Missouri State University. He has worked in prominent international schools in Minato municipality and he is a board member at NPO Harmony International School, Fujisawa, Japan.

Kai is also a JBS (Japan Bushcraft School) certified advisor, is WFA (Wilderness First Aid) certified through Wilderness Medical Associates International, and will soon be a Level 3 Forest School Leader

About TCG

Tokyo Children’s Garden is an innovative, Reggio Emilia-inspired bilingual preschool nestled in the heart of Tokyo. We view children as capable learners and actively embrace their thoughts and ideas in our unique, nurturing environment.

At the start of the pandemic, we temporarily closed our Tokyo campus while seeking an alternative to online sessions. Believing young children need real-life experiences, we relocated to a scenic house in the woods of Kawaguchiko, surrounded by breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, not knowing if any of our school families would follow us.

To our delight, most of our families joined us, resulting in a memorable summer of forest fun. Since then, we have regularly offered forest school experiences in Karuizawa and are thrilled to introduce our Nature Adventure camp to new families this summer.

This year, we're fortunate to have Kai Chang and Tsuyoshi "Yoshi" Domoto lead our Karuizawa Nature Adventure in picturesque Karuizawa. Our exciting program has engaging activities and outings to spark curiosity and inspire young minds. Campers will make new friends, explore nature, and learn new things, all against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Asama. There's no better way to spend the summer!

Students doing arts and crafts at Tokyo Children's Garden

About iForest

iForest is an all outdoors nature school in and around Tokyo. It is inspired by the Danish forest school approach and believes that each child holds their own motivation to learn.  Learning in nature at an early age will help the children have a deeper appreciation and connection to our beautiful world. The freedom of learning from the outdoors stimulates physical, cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional and with the added health benefits.