ITTO and the City of Yokohama inspire visitors at the 2025 Yokohama Flower and Garden Show
2025/05/03
Families gathered at ITTO-City of Yokohama joint exhibition booth at the 2025 Yokohama Flower and Garden Show. Photo: Paula Sarigumba/ITTO
From May 3 to 5, 2025, during the latter half of Japan’s Golden Week, the PACIFICO Yokohama Exhibition Hall came alive with vibrant blooms, gardening enthusiasts, and children's laughter at the Yokohama Flower and Garden Show. Among the many attractions, the joint exhibition by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the City of Yokohama’s Green Environment Bureau stood out, captivating attendees with an engaging display emphasizing the beauty and importance of tropical forest biodiversity.
The ITTO–City of Yokohama booth simulated the atmosphere of a tropical rainforest through an exhibition booth that includes real tropical plants and stuffed animals. At the exhibition booth, Staff members of ITTO and the City of Yokohama and volunteers offered hands-on learning opportunities through origami and art activities which encouraged visitors to reflect on the current state of tropical forests and consider their own role in environmental action. The booth attracted children, families, and other visitors, sparking interest through its interactive and educational design.
A centerpiece “tree,” artistically crafted from trimmed branches collected during tree maintenance in Yokohama, stood as both an educational display and a symbol of environmental commitment. Visitors were encouraged to write their pledges for tropical forest conservation on paper leaves, gradually transforming the tree into a living statement of collaborative effort. The exhibit also highlighted how the City of Yokohama addresses environmental challenges—from local efforts to global issues—through its continued support of ITTO’s mission.
The exhibition booth received a special visit from Dr Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama, who commended the strong collaboration between the City and ITTO. He expressed particular admiration for the Tropical Forest Origami book, noting its high quality and the enthusiastic response it received from children.
On May 3, ITTO and the University of Tokyo Origami Circle (ORIST) hosted three origami workshops, teaching participants of all ages how to fold paper into the shape of Rafflesia, one of the world’s largest and most elusive flowers. Native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, Rafflesia blooms can exceed one meter in diameter and emit a strong odor to attract flies for pollination. Often called the “phantom flower” or “stinking corpse lily,” it has no leaves, stems, or roots, and lives entirely as a parasite on vines in the grape family. With 28 known species, including the record-holding Rafflesia arnoldii, this genus symbolizes the extraordinary and unique flowers found in tropical forests.
The day also featured a special lecture by Dr Fumito Koike, Professor Emeritus at Yokohama National University, who shared insights from his canopy research in tropical forests across Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Dr Koike emphasized how understanding forest ecology supports conservation and sustainable industries. He also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing tropical forest science and education.
Through engaging activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring talks, ITTO and the City of Yokohama successfully conveyed the vital role of tropical forests in global sustainability and deepened public appreciation for conserving nature, both locally and globally.