Recruitment for 2026 Members Begins!
Hello Woods Program
Elementary School Members
"Aquatic Creature Kids Researcher"
The "truth about living creatures" that you can't learn from TV or books is here!
Become a researcher and study the creatures living by the water that change with the seasons.
The experience of "observing, thinking, and trying" nurtures children's ability to think and their sensitivity.
Let's create environments where living creatures can thrive and raise and study aquatic organisms that we actually catch.
Activity Details
Research on Seasonal Themes
with Free Thinking
Rather than being told everything, our kid researchers will think for themselves, come up with ideas, and study living creatures that live by the water with a free and unrestricted mindset,
while experiencing the real nature.
| Activity Schedule (Held 10 times in total) |
April 2026 to March 2027 ①4/18(Sat) ②5/23(Sat) ③6/13(Sat) ④7/18(Sat) ⑤9/26(Sat) ⑥10/17(Sat) ⑦11/28(Sat) ⑧12/20(Sun) ⑨2/23(Tue, holiday) ⑩3/21(Sun) |
|---|---|
| Activity Details | ・Investigation of creatures living by the water ・Research on creating environments where aquatic organisms can thrive ・Observation of seasonal changes in the ecology of aquatic organisms ・Creating waterside habitats for fireflies |
| Example Research Themes | ・April: Frog eggs, tadpoles, frogs, freshwater snails ・May: Fireflies, freshwater snails ・June to July: Dragonfly larvae, backswimmers ・September to October: Water scorpions, diving beetles, newts, crayfish ・November to February: Overwintering aquatic organisms, frogs, giant water bugs, freshwater snails ・March: Annual activity report, awards (final session) * Research themes may change depending on natural conditions. |
Member Benefits
* White coats, waders, and aquatic nets are not included in the member benefits for continuing and rejoining members.
* Waders will be sized on the day of the event, so they will be provided from the second session onward.
* The photos are for illustrative purposes only. Colors and designs may vary.
Voices of Participants
“I was naturally able to learn about the habitats of living creatures, their surrounding environment, and ecosystems, and became interested in environmental maintenance.”
“Over this past year, I feel that I have become more independent. Summarizing what I researched and presenting it in front of others was also a valuable experience.”
"My son, who used to be afraid of living creatures and didn’t want to touch them, happily watched the dragonfly hatch and became eager to continue raising them!"
"Each session had a different program, allowing us to experience the ecology of living creatures throughout the seasons."
"By letting dragonflies lay eggs, maintaining the river, and having many first-time experiences, I feel my understanding of living creatures has deepened!"
* Voices of participants from 2024, partial excerpts
Schedule Example
* Hours of operation and activities may vary
| 10：00 | Reception starts Gathering Orientation Aquatic organism survey |
|---|---|
| 10：30 | Lunch (bring your own bento) Aquatic animal research lab management and environmental maintenance Lecture and reflection |
| 15：30 | End * If you wish to take home or keep any captured creatures, time will be set aside after the event to review care methods together with the guardians. |
Aquatic Animal Research Laboratory
Director Eiji Okuyama (Doctor)
[Lecturer]
Eiji Okuyama
Introduces creatures and outdoor play in various magazines, TV programs, and events nationwide.
At Shogakukan's BE-PAL, he serialized the small fish fishing news for 15 years. Since 2015, he has been teaching about the current nature as a guest speaker at Rikkyo University.
<Books>
New Nature Play (Yama to Keikoku Publishing)
12 Months of Playing with Insects (Deco Publishing)
Let's Take a Detour / Let's Play on the Rocky Shore! (Holp Publishing), etc.
＜Others＞
Learn from the Forest Masters at HondaWoods
Together with Kid Researchers
Creating the Aquatic Animal Research Laboratory
Information and survey results obtained in each study, as well as collected organisms, are displayed and disseminated at the Aquatic Animal Research Laboratory. The Kid Researchers and scientists work together to create the laboratory.
Aquatic Animal Research Activities
Participant-Only Program
"Foster Parent System"
The Foster Parent System is a program that allows you to temporarily take home living creatures inhabiting Hello Woods for breeding and research. Through breeding, it fosters new discoveries and curiosity.
* The creatures you have raised can be returned to Hello Woods at the end.
Examples of creatures:
Backswimmers, frogs, dragonfly larvae, and other collected aquatic insects
Full support for studying at home
Explore various aspects of your interest, such as the ecology and distribution of living things. Our scientists and staff will support you with any basic questions you may have about breeding methods and research procedures.
* Depending on the type of living creature, some cannot be taken home or kept.
"Aquatic Life Kids Researcher"
Recruitment Overview
| Number of Participants | 20 people |
|---|---|
| Target | Fiscal Year 2026: 3rd to 6th Grade Elementary School Students |
| Membership Fee | New Membership: 23,000yen per person (with member benefits) For continuation from 2025 or rejoining from 2024 or earlier without member benefits: 10,000yen * Continuation and rejoining members are not eligible for benefits such as lab coats, waders, and water nets. |
| Participation Fee | 4,000yen per person each time * Original goods will be given as a gift upon participation in 5 sessions. * An original monthly creature card will be given as a gift for each participation. * Includes admission and parking fees. |
| About Recruitment | First recruitment period until 4/4 (Sat)
Second recruitment period 4/5 (Sun) to 5/16 (Sat) ※If you apply on or after 4/5 (Sun), there is a possibility that the delivery of member benefits will be delayed. Thank you for your understanding |
| Member Benefits | Lab coat, waders, aquatic net, observation case, research notebook, original pin badge, original card (awarded for each participation) * White coats, waders, and aquatic nets are not included in the member benefits for continuing and rejoining members. * Waders will be sized on the day of the event, so they will be provided from the second session onward. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply?
- Please enter the required information from the "Apply Here" link and make your reservation and payment (credit card payment only) by 5:00 p.m. the day before the event. After completing your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation email. Then, a staff member will send you a confirmation email, so please check the details. The confirmation email includes a guide for the day, so please prepare in advance.
- Can I choose the size of the waders and lab coats provided as member benefits?
- You can choose from the options below. Please select the lab coat size on the application form. For waders, sizing will be done on the day of your first participation (April 18 or May 23), so no prior notification is necessary.
Size (Corresponding Height cm) West Back and shoulders 110 (105-115) 72 32 120 (115-125) 76 34 130 (125-135) 80 36 140 (135-145) 84 38 150 (145-155) 90 41 160 (155-165) 96 44 - Can I join in the middle of the fiscal year?
- This program is structured to accumulate learning throughout the seasons and over the course of a year. Therefore, it is conducted as a program assuming participation from the first session (April 18 or May 23).
- Do I have to participate in all sessions throughout the year?
- You can participate according to your schedule. You can apply for each session individually, so please join based on your availability and interest.
- Can siblings participate together?
- As long as the children are within the target age range, it is possible. Please check the application guidelines for participation fees.
- Are there any items required when participating?
- Regarding belongings, we will send a guide about two weeks before the event date. Please check the contents and prepare accordingly.
- Is it okay if this is my first time participating?
- Staff will clearly explain the activities and important points before starting. During the activities, staff will constantly monitor the children’s condition and proceed with safety in mind. Staff who have completed first aid training will also be on site, so even first-time participants can join with peace of mind.
- Can parents participate?
- We apologize, but this program is for children only. Our staff will conduct activities with full attention to safety, so please rest assured. Additionally, photos of your child during the program will be shared via email afterward. Parents are allowed to stay on the premises while their child is participating.
- Is there parking available?
- You can use the designated parking lot free of charge. The designated parking lot is the one nearest to Hello Woods. If you are using the park or other facilities, you can use the designated parking lot throughout the day. Entry and exit on the day of drop-off and pick-up are allowed. You may also wait inside the park. Detailed information will be provided in the pre-event guide.
- What happens in case of rain?
- In case of rain, the content may be partially modified and carried out. If severe weather is forecasted, the program will be canceled. We will make a decision by 5 PM the day before and notify you by email or phone.
- Can I take home the creatures I catch?
- Yes. However, rare species such as giant water bugs and diving beetles cannot be taken home. Please observe them on site and return them to their original environment.
- Can you teach me how to maintain and store the tools?
- Within the program, we will also guide you on basic maintenance and storage methods, such as how to wash and dry the tools. You can use them safely in your daily life as well.
- Can you teach me how to care for them?
- Our staff, who are knowledgeable about living creatures, will explain it clearly. We accept questions not only on the day of the program but also by phone or email.
※Content is subject to change without notice.
※The price is displayed as the total price.
※The photos and illustrations used are for illustration purposes only.