Written by Akida Omar, 09 January 2026
An intern at Glide Japan in 2026, Akida was one of our very first participants in our ikebana workshop.
I recently joined an ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) workshop at Space Beppu, and it was more meaningful - and more fun - than I expected.
The workshop was led by Minori-sensei, who has practiced ikebana for over ten years. She first explained the history of ikebana using a kamishibai (paper-theater), which made the learning easy and enjoyable. One message stayed with me: “Through ikebana we learn patience and a deeper connection with nature.” It helped me realize ikebana is not only about beauty, but also about calming the mind and appreciating nature.
I was also surprised to learn that ikebana can support sustainability. We used loss flowers, which help reduce waste and support Japan’s SDGs efforts. There was even a mini quiz, which made the atmosphere friendly and interactive, and changed my old image of ikebana as something “difficult”.
Then we tried arranging flowers ourselves - choosing flowers based on our mood, thinking about the right lengths, and creating our own designs. Even with similar materials, everyone’s arrangement looked different, and it was exciting to see each person’s creativity.
At the end, Minori-sensei sang ‘Sakura’ by Naotaro Moriyama, which was a beautiful way to close the session. This workshop helped me connect with Japanese culture and reminded me to slow down and feel more peaceful in daily life. I truly recommend it to anyone who wants a relaxing and valuable cultural experience.
GLIDE JAPAN Inc.
Mission
As ambassadors of our region, we connect local communities with the world, paving the way for a prosperous future.
Vision
Our goal is to become Japan’s leading engine of regional revitalisation, making it a norm to attract young people to rural areas, driven by their dreams.
| Company Name | Glide Japan Inc. |
| CEO | Masahiro Ide |
| Capital | ¥1,000,000 |
| Established | April 20, 2023 |
| Number of Employees | 12 (including contractors) |
| Head Office | 12-9 Chiyomachi, Beppu City, Oita 874-0942, Japan |
| Phone | +81-977-75-9566 |
| Australia Office (Satellite Office) | 421/4 Spring Street, Rosebery, NSW 2018, Australia |
| Business Activities | Inbound tourism consulting, travel arrangement services for international visitors, regional revitalisation projects, multilingual translation, video production, and more. |
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