Ikebana Therapy Guide Certification Course
The Melbourne Ikebana Festival is honoured to present Dr Hamasaki and Professor Niikawa — internationally acclaimed researchers and pioneering leaders in the field of Ikebana Therapy.
At the Melbourne Ikebana Festival 2026, they will personally lead the Ikebana Therapy Guide Certification Training Course. This special occasion marks the first time this prestigious certification has ever been offered outside Japan.
This exceptional opportunity is not to be missed.
Ikebana Therapy Guide Certification Course
Discover the Healing Power of Flowers
Course Overview
Step into the transformative world of Ikebana and wellbeing. While the Japan Ikebana Therapy Association offers a comprehensive two-year certification program, this exclusive three-day intensive course is your gateway into the practice of Ikebana therapy.
Designed as an inspiring introduction, this course empowers you to bring the beauty and mindfulness of Ikebana into therapeutic and community settings.
What You Will Experience
Over three enriching days, you will:
Learn the step-by-step process of Ikebana therapy
Explore the theoretical foundations behind its healing effects
Discover Ikebana Kaidō — where the spiritual philosophy of flower arranging meets social wellbeing
Gain practical insights into creating community-based healing events using flowers
Be inspired by real-world case studies and applications
Your Path Forward
Upon completion, you will receive a certificate qualifying you as an Ikebana Therapy Guide, enabling you to:
Facilitate Ikebana workshops focused on relaxation, mindfulness, and healing
Work with community groups and selected care facilities (with appropriate supervision)
Expand your creative or therapeutic practice into meaningful social impact
Course Dates
27 August (Thursday): 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
28 August (Friday): 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
30 August (Sunday): 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location
Abbotsford Convent along with visits to community and care settings (additional venues to be confirmed).
Who Is This Course For?
For Ikebana Artists
Elevate your practice by learning how to create deeper emotional and healing experiences through your teaching.
For Therapists & Facilitators
Integrate Ikebana into your existing work as a powerful tool for mindfulness, expression, and wellbeing.
For Career Explorers & Enthusiasts
Curious about combining creativity and care? This course offers a unique pathway into a meaningful and emerging field.
Prerequisite
No prior Ikebana experience? You’re still welcome.
Simply attend a 60-minute introductory workshop led by Shoso Shimbo before the course or offered during the Melbourne Ikebana Festival 2026.
Limited Places
To ensure a personalised experience, participation is limited to 18 participants.
Course Fees
Standard: AUD $960 + JPY 20,000 (certificate fee)
Early Bird (by 31 July 2026): AUD $800 + JPY 20,000 (certificate fee)
Learn from Experts
Be guided by internationally respected leaders in the field:
Dr Eiko Hamasaki
Professor Niikawa
Experienced Ikebana Therapists as Teaching Assistants
Certification & Assessment
A short assessment will take place during the course
Results will be delivered within two months
Upon passing, you may apply for certification through the Japan Ikebana Therapy Association
How to Apply
Complete the application form
Pay the course fee (certificate fee payable after passing) to Tsubo Melbourne Pty Ltd. Early Bird (by 31/7/2026) or Standard
Receive your acceptance confirmation
Join us on 27 August and begin your journey
Refund Policy
If the course is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, a full refund will be issued, excluding any institutional or administrative fees.
If you cancel your enrolment on or before 31 July 2026, you will receive a 50% refund of the course fee.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made on or after 1 August 2026.
Begin Your Journey
Reconnect with nature, creativity, and community. Join us and take the first step toward becoming an Ikebana Therapy Guide.
メルボルン生け花フェスティバルは、いけばなセラピー分野において国際的に高い評価を受ける研究者であり、先駆的リーダーである浜崎英子氏および新川教授をお迎えできることを大変光栄に思います。
メルボルン生け花フェスティバル2026では、お二人が直々に「いけばなセラピーガイド認定トレーニングコース」を指導されます。本認定コースが日本国外で実施されるのは、今回が初めてとなります。
メルボルンで認定証を取得するという特別な機会を、どうぞお見逃しなく。日本語+英訳のコースです。
Tatsuro Niikawa Ph.D. in Political Science, Waseda University. Former Associate Professor at Tohoku University and Professor at Doshisha University.
Currently Professor Emeritus at Doshisha University, Visiting Professor at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature and Kansai University, and President of the Japan Ikebana Therapy Association. Also chairs several public and community organizations in Kyoto.
Expertise: Public administration, local governance, public policy, civic participation, and social innovation.
Key Works:The World of Ikebana Therapy, Dynamic Studies on Public Governance, Introduction to Policy Studies, Theory and Practice of Social Innovation, among others.
Eiko Hamasaki Ph.D. in Social Innovation (Doshisha University), Certified Psychologist. Chairperson of the NPO Flower Psychology Association, Research Fellow at Doshisha University, and part-time lecturer at Nishiyama Junior College.
Also active in single-parent, youth, women’s empowerment, and dementia support programs.
Recipient of the 2017 Yomiuri Welfare and Culture Award for Ikebana Therapy.
Expertise: Dementia care, family and youth support, social participation, and therapeutic Ikebana.
Key Works:The World of Ikebana Therapy, Theory and Practice of Social Innovation, and research on “Ikebana Therapy” and community participation.
新川達郎
早稲田大学大学院政治学研究科修了東北大学大学院助教授、同志社大学大学院総合政策科学研究科教授·政策学部教授等を歴任。現在、同志社大学名誉教授、総合地球環境学研究所客員教授、関西大学客員教授、日本いけばな療法学会会長、そのほか公益財団京都地域創造基金理事長、地域公共人材開発機構理事長、京都わかくさネット理事、京都市環境活動推進協会理事長、京エコロジーセンター館長、日本ソーシャル·イノベーション学会代表等も兼務。専門分野：行政学、地方自治論、公共政策論、市民参加論、ソーシャル·イノベーション論著書：「いけばな療法の世界」（あいり出版）、「公的ガバナンスの動態研究」（ミネルヴァ書房）、「政策学入門」（法律文化社）、「公共政策学教育の現状分析」（明石書店）、ソーシャル·イノベーションの理論と実践（明石書店）等多数。
浜崎英子
同志社大学心理学専攻卒業 同志社大学大学院総合政策科学研究科博士後期課程修了ソーシャル·イノベーション博士（同志社大学）、公認心理師。NPO法人フラワー·サイコロジー協会理事長、同志社大学人文科学研究所研究員、西山短期大学非常勤講師、そのほか京都府ひとり親家庭自立支援センタースーパーヴァイザー、児童発達支援NEXT SCHOOL心理師、華道本能寺家元華務職、日本いけばな芸術協会特別会員。実践、研究分野：認知症ケア、ひとり親支援、不登校ひきこもり支援、若者就職支援、女性活躍支援、児童発達支援。2017年にいけばな療法で読売福祉文化賞受賞。著書、論文：「いけばな療法の世界」（あいり出版）、ソーシャル·イノベーションの理論と実践（明石書店）、「感染症拡大時における「いけばな療法」の社会参加モデル「いけばな街道」の効果と展望」（ウエルネスジャーナル）、「「いけばな街道」開催における認知症の人の「いけばな療法」による社会参加の効果」（同志社政策科学研究）など。
