News from JNTO

Hotel Okura Tokyo proudly announces that the 11th Annual World Gardening Fair is scheduled to take place from May 1 until May 5, 2010. This annual event is a rare opportunity to discover the floral elegance of 10 unique countries from across the globe. In addition, the proceeds of the fair will be donated to the "Save the Children, Japan", the world's largest independent organization for children.

A stunning example of beauty from last year's Fair
The Federal Republic of German "The forest of Hänsel and Gretel"

At the World Gardening Fair, one ambassadress and nine wives of ambassadors from 10 countries will create original horticultural compositions in the Hotel Okura Tokyo's Heian Room. It is a showcase of their unique cultures, traditions, and natural environments using trees and flowers representing their countries. The participants for this year are; Jamaica, The Republic of the Philippines, The Kingdom of Cambodia, The Kingdom of Morocco, The Kingdom of Norway, The Independent State of Samoa, The United States of America, The Hellenic Republic, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and The Republic of Bulgaria. In all, gardens from five continents are displayed at Okura. A variety of floras on display makes visitors feel as though they are on a voyage around the world.

The World Gardening Fair will begin on Saturday, May 1 with an opening ceremony attended by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.

Other exciting events will run in tandem with this special gardening fair. These include the Festival of Cuisine from 10 Nations, art and photo exhibits. These supplemental proceedings provide even further opportunities for visitors to submerge themselves in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of civilizations from all over the world

Jamaica	The Republic of the Philippines
The United States of America	The Republic of Bulgaria

The detailed information of the World Gardening Fair is following;

The 11th Annual World Gardening Fair at Hotel Okura Tokyo

Dates: Saturday, May 1- Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Hours:
May 1 to May 4: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Last admission 7:30 p.m.)
Night Garden Illumination begins at 5:30 p.m.
May 5: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Last admission 5:00 p.m.)

Venue: Heian Room (Main Building, First floor)

Admission:
Advance tickets Adults ¥1,000 / Elementary and junior high school students ¥700
At the door Adults ¥1,500 / Elementary and junior high school students ¥800
Lunch Set ticket ¥3,800/ ¥6,000/ ¥8,000

The four new countries participating this year are: