Australia House Fall Gathering 2026
~A Fall Day to Learn About Japan-Australia Peace and Friendship Exchanges and Australian Café Culture, and to Deepen Our Bonds~
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the “Basic Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia” in 1976. Over the years, the two countries have deepened their ties through exchanges in various fields. Did you know that, although tragic incidents occurred in both countries’ prisoner-of-war camps during World War II, a peace and friendship exchange between Joetsu City and Cowra, Australia, has continued ever since, based on those historical facts? We will hold a talk session featuring Mr. Yoshikazu Kondo, former president of the Joetsu Japan-Australia Association—which plays a leading role in these activities—and barista Haruko Kuran, who will discuss the Australian café culture that so many Japanese people admire today, all while enjoying coffee brewed by her.
Lunch will consist of rice balls made with new-crop rice harvested in the local Urada district and mushroom soup. In the afternoon, we’ll deepen our connections by joining local residents in preparing “Australia House”—the hub of Japan-Australia exchange at the art festival—for winter. We invite you to visit Echigo-Tsumari as autumn deepens.
Event Overview
■ Date and Time: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
■ Venue:
Morning Session: Hanatate (next to Australia House), 7575 Urada, Tokamachi city, Niigata Prefecture 942-1342
Lunch: Australia House front garden (in case of rain, the Hanatate cafeteria)
Afternoon Session: Australia House, 7577-1 Urada, Tokamachi city, Niigata Prefecture 942-1342
■ Participation Fee: ¥1,500 (Payable upon arrival; cash only)
■ Registration: Please send your name, age, contact information, and address to the email address below.
australiahouse@tsumari-artfield.com
*The personal information you provide will be used solely for contacting you in the event of an emergency (such as a disaster) and to ensure the smooth operation and safety of the event.
■ Deadline: Thursday, October 29
■ Capacity: 20 people *Registration will close once capacity is reached.
◆Contents
<Morning Session: Japan-Australia Exchange—Learn About Australian Culture>
10:30–11:15 Presentation and Slideshow #1
“The Story of the Naoetsu Prisoner-of-War Camp”
Reflecting on Peace Through Memories of War—The Story of Naoetsu, Joetsu City, and Cowra, Australia
Speaker: Yoshikazu Kondo, Former President of the Joetsu Japan-Australia Association
11:15–11:30: Break
Coffee Service (Supervised and Presented by Barista Haruko Kuran)
11:30–12:15 Talk and Slideshow #2
“Café Culture in Melbourne, Australia, as Seen Through Coffee”
Lecturer: Haruko Kuran
~ On the Way to Australia House ~
12:25–1:15 p.m. Lunch
Rice balls made with new-crop rice, mushroom soup, and assorted pickles (Urada Women’s Association)
<Afternoon Session: Preparing Australia House for Winter>
1:15–1:30 p.m. Gardening project
A Talk on the Gardening Project (Australia House Landscaping)
Speakers: Kawaguchi Yutaka, Naito Kaori
1:30 PM–2:45 PM Snow fence installation (panel fitting) and landscaping maintenance
2:45 p.m. Break and group photo
3:00 p.m. End
◆Instructor Profile
Yoshikazu Kondo
Former President of the Joetsu Japan-Australia Association. In 1995, knowing nothing about the Naoetsu Prisoner-of-War Camp, he welcomed former Australian prisoners of war and their bereaved families at the airport as they arrived to attend the opening ceremony of the Peace Memorial Park.The following year, he joined the Joetsu Japan-Australia Association and served as its president for 10 years until 2018. Currently, alongside his day job, he is active in promoting Japan-Australia exchanges and peace education in schools.
Photo by Makoto Watabe
Haruko Kuran
She worked as a café manager in Tokyo for four years, gaining experience in store operations and management. After that, she worked in customer service and the kitchen at a wine bar before moving to Melbourne in 2018. She worked her way up from barback (assistant barista) to barista and then to head barista, and also worked at a popular café in the city center. Drawing on her experience as a barista, she introduces Australian café culture.
Kawaguchi Yutaka, Naito Kaori
Kawaguchi Yutaka, born in 1953; Naito Kaori, born in 1970
[Books, Articles, and Artworks]
2006 *60 Container Garden Styles by Kawaguchi Yutaka* (published by the Agricultural, Mountain, and Fishing Village Culture Association)
2002 *Yutaka Kawaguchi’s Eco Garden* (published by Nippon Hoso Publishing)
2000 *Yutaka Kawaguchi’s Gardening Lessons* (published by Yama-to-Keikoku-sha)
[Major Artworks, Exhibitions, Projects, Workshops, etc.]
1999 International Rose and Gardening Show, Garden Division, Seibu Dome, Tokyo
[Awards and Grants]
2005 International Rose and Gardening Show, Garden Division: Honorable Mention
2003 International Rose and Gardening Show, Balcony Division: Second Prize
2000 International Rose and Gardening Show, Garden Division: Grand Prize
Summary
| Date and time |
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Venue |
Australia House (7577-1 Urada, Tokamachi city, Niigata Prefecture) |
| Admission |
¥1,500 (Payable upon arrival; cash only)
|
| Note |
[Contact] |
Official Tours / Itineraries
Related Events
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