Kyoto University Weeks 2017: Public events at 23 facilities across Japan (7 October – 11 November 2017)

Kyoto University maintains numerous facilities across Japan to support its diverse and distinctive research activities. To serve as the University's "window" for local communities, these facilities also hold public events, such as the ones during the annual Kyoto University Weeks.

The 2017 Kyoto University Weeks were affected by typhoon No 22, with three facilities cancelling events and several others changing their plans. Still, 23 facilities held events from 7 October through 11 November, attracting a total of 4,636 attendees and participants.

• Official website (in Japanese)
  http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/social/weeks/2017.html

Kyoto University Weeks 2017 public events

1. Hokkaido Forest Research Station: Mini public seminar "Nature Observation" (Saturday 21 October)

On 21 October, the Hokkaido Forest Research Station Shirakaba Branch of the Field Science Education and Research Center (FSERC) hosted a mini public seminar, "Nature Observation".

The program attracted 11 applicants, of whom 10 attended. Following an opening ceremony and introduction in the Branch's administrative office, participants traveled by rental car to a forest trail. They then walked along the trail in two groups, listening to explanations from teaching staff and technical personnel.

The event received favorable feedback, such as "As a first - time participant, I found the explanations very accessible and easy to understand; it's been an extremely rich learning experience."

2. Hida Observatory: "Rediscovering Nature Tour for Adults" (Saturday 7 – Monday 9 October)

The Graduate School of Science's Hida Observatory hosted a public event from 7 through 9 October entitled "Rediscovering Nature Tour for Adults".

The first two days took place mainly inside the observatory. Day one began with a briefing on the research activities taking place at the facility, followed by lectures on the sun and other astronomical bodies. This was concluded with a tour of the telescope. Unfortunately, the night weather was not good enough for astronomical observation.

On the second day, participants examined a solar telescope and viewed the latest images of the sun obtained. This was followed by a lecture on sunspots, prominences, flares, auroras, and solar spectra, ending in a lively Q and A.

In the evening, while the sky was clear, participants observed the sky with their naked eye as well as through a 65-cm refractor telescope, the largest in Asia.

Throughout the event, participants enjoyed the unique opportunity to observe nature.

3. Kamitakara Earthquake Observatory and Hodaka Sedimentation Observatory: Joint public event for Kyoto University Weeks (Saturday 11 November)

For KU Weeks 2017, two observatories from the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI) — the Kamitakara Earthquake Observatory and the Hodaka Sedimentation Observatory — hosted a joint public event on 11 November to raise awareness of natural disaster risks and introduce their research activities. Both observatories are conducting research on Mt Yake, an active volcano in the Hida Mountains.

As part of this event, the Observatories' faculty and staff participated in an evacuation drill for a volcanic eruption of Mt Yake, organized by the city of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. They were joined by 546 participants from the local community, including elementary school students, senior citizens, and disaster-response personnel. The researchers from the Observatories used this opportunity to share their activities with Takayama residents, performing demonstrations and showing their tools.

Afterwards, the researchers delivered public lectures at a local community center with around 20 attending.

4. Primate Research Institute: 27th Public Program Day (Sunday 29 October)

On 29 October, the Primate Research Institute (PRI) hosted its 27th Public Program Day. Eighty-four people of all ages participated, from not only neighboring areas but also other parts of Aichi Prefecture, and even from the Kanto and Kansai regions.

After attending a lecture on the institute's latest findings, entitled "What Is the Human Instinct?", participants visited several facilities, including the chimpanzees' rooms, a free-range farm for Japanese monkeys, and several exhibition rooms. Participants asked numerous questions, and left comments such as "It was amazing to see chimpanzees actually learning", and "The event gave me a great opportunity to visit many parts of the institute and to learn so many new things".

5. Shigaraki MU Observatory: Tour to study the Shigaraki MU radar 2017 (Saturday 7 October)

On 7 October, the Shigaraki MU Observatory of the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH) hosted a tour of its middle- and upper-atmosphere (MU) radar.

There were two sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, attracting 136 participants in total. Each included a lecture on atmospheric studies using radars in Japan and Indonesia, a facility tour to see the MU radar and other atmospheric observation devices, and a live demonstration of radiosonde observation.

In the live demonstration, participants, including children, released a research balloon into the air and observed it until it disappeared into the sky.

Participants left many favorable comments, such as "It was wonderful to look inside the MU radar and see how it works," and "listening to explanations on the radiosonde, my heart was filled with anticipation for what it may help discover."

6. Research Center for Environmental Quality Management: Public program "Half-Day Research Experience at Lake Biwa" (Saturday 14 October)

On 14 October, the Graduate School of Engineering's Research Center for Environmental Quality Management (RCEQM) hosted a public program entitled "Half-Day Research Experience at Lake Biwa". This event is held annually to introduce the general public to RCEQM's research activities and findings on environmental issues.

The 2017 program was attended by 15 participants from a wide range of generations, including students and working professionals. After listening to the director's opening address and a briefing on RCEQM's activities, participants visited an experimental water-treatment facility installed in Otsu City's sewage plant, which is located next to the Center. They then split into two groups to tour the facility, and took part in experiments involving water-quality analysis and observation of algae from Lake Biwa. The event concluded with a mini lecture and a Q and A session.

Participants left various positive comments, such as: "I found explanations very detailed and easy to understand," "I didn't know Kyoto University had such a wide variety of research laboratories," "I really enjoyed the experiments," and "Thank you for the very interesting lecture."

7. Center for Ecological Research: Public program "Wonders of Life Forms You Would Never Learn About in School" (Saturday 14 October)

On 14 October, the Center for Ecological Research (CER) hosted a public program entitled "Wonders of Life Forms You Would Never Learn About in School".

This annual event is aimed at introducing topics not included in school textbooks to people interested in ecosystems, environmental problems, and various forms of life. Sixty-four applied for the program, outnumbering the available places, with 47 actually taking part.

Following a lecture on the ecology and behavior of parasitic wasps, participants observed nature in CER's Forest. They collected various kinds of plants and mushrooms while listening to explanations about the ecosystem.

The program was well received by participants, who left comments such as "I was surprised at how quick the bees' infestation happens," and "I enjoyed the nature observation so much, I wished it would last longer."

8. Kwasan Observatory: Outdoor concert, "Gallery Week", and open house (Saturday 7 and 28 October)

The Graduate School of Science's Kwasan Observatory hosted an outdoor concert on 7 October, and an open house and the "Gallery Week" exhibition on the 28th.

The concert has been held annually for the past five years to raise funds for the observatory. The world-renowned musician Kitaro delivered a live performance on stage. He was joined by ambient-music composer and performer Hiroki Okano, as the DVD "Kojiki and the Universe" -- consisting of a variety of images of the universe along with pieces from the album Kojiki -- was projected on the observatory building.

The open house on the 28 ^th attracted around 150 visitors despite the rainy weather. The program was comprised of: exhibitions with briefings on telescopes and observation equipment, a screening of the "Four-Dimensional Digital Universe", and hands-on activities such as a handicraft workshop.

The "Gallery Week" event featured an exhibition of the research desk, documents, and other items that belonged to Dr Issei Yamamoto, the observatory's first director.

The event ended successfully with positive feedback from many visitors, such as "The concert reminded me of the fact that I am not just a human living on the earth, but also a part of the universe," and "Thank you for explaining various things about the universe in an accessible way. I have become interested in astronomy, and want to study it further".

9. Ashu Forest Research Station: Public program (Saturday 21 October)

On 21 October, FSERC's Ashu Forest Research Station (AFRS) hosted a public program, showcasing its research and education activities and offering opportunities to commune with its rich natural environment.

Despite the heavy rain, 60 participants enjoyed a wide variety of activities, such as a guided forest tour, a hands-on experience with freshwater fish, a mini lecture, and a visit to the resource center. Participants were able to experience the wonders of nature and talk with the researchers who are studying them. They left comments such as "The event was great. I learned so much."

10. Kamigamo Experimental Station: Autumn Nature Observation (Saturday 3 November)

On 3 November, FSERC's Kamigamo Experimental Station hosted an autumn nature-observation session.

This year, 139 individuals (77 groups) had applied for 30 places, with a final count of 33 participating. After a briefing, participants in two groups walked along a 2-km observation trail for two and a half hours with the faculty and staff. Some participants said, "Explanations given by the faculty and staff were so interesting that the time passed very fast," and "I learned a lot about how leaves grow."

11. Uji Open Campus 2017: "We Love Science! Let's Explore this Wonderful World!" (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October)

For the 2017 KU Weeks, the Uji Campus hosted an open-campus event on 28 and 29 October, entitled "We Love Science! Let's Explore this Wonderful World!" This is an annual event aimed at introducing the general public to the research activities taking place on Campus.

Despite the bad weather on both days, the 2017 event attracted more than 2,000 people in total, including regular participants and first-time visitors.

The program offered activities for people of all ages, such as lectures by faculty, exhibitions on Uji's research institutes, and tours of the laboratories, usually closed to the public. There were also hands-on activities, where participants worked on experiments and experienced the breadth and depth of the world of science, ranging from grand topics to familiar phenomena. A stamp rally was also held, in which many participants, especially children, enjoyed roaming the campus despite the strong wind and heavy rain from the approaching typhoon.

Participants left comments such as "I will definitely come back next year," and "Please continue this annual event." The Uji Campus plans to hold this community-oriented event for years to come.

12. Ujigawa Open Laboratory: Open laboratory "Experiencing Disaster-Causing Natural Phenomena" (Sunday 29 October)

On 29 October, DPRI's Ujigawa Open Laboratory hosted a public event entitled "Experiencing Disaster-Causing Natural Phenomena".

To avoid overcrowding, this year's event required prior registration, while providing a more frequent shuttle-bus service than in previous years. A total of 246 participated despite the bad weather due to an approaching typhoon, which at one time caused the organizers to seriously reconsider the event.

Through hands-on experiments, the participants visually and sensorially experienced the power of flowing water and the danger of floods. Many provided favorable feedback, including: "Fantastic equipment enabled us, including children, to easily understand natural phenomena," "I was really able to feel how frightening disasters can be," and "The event gave us a valuable opportunity to experience things we normally wouldn't be able to."

13. Experimental Farm: Open Farm 2017 (Friday 3 November)

On 3 November, the Graduate School of Agriculture's Experimental Farm hosted an "Open Farm 2017" event with 776 attending.

The Farm's breadth of activities, from cutting-edge research and education to agricultural production, were showcased through a wide range of activities. There were three lectures on the theme of "Green Energy Farming at the Kyoto University Experimental Farm", along with two farm tours, one focused on rice and fruit, and the other on vegetables and flowers. Other activities included a rice-harvesting experience; open laboratories on "Removing Astringency from Sour Persimmons" and "DNA Extraction Using Kitchen Goods"; a sale of fresh farm products; and additional exhibitions.

The spot sale and farm tours attracted the largest crowds, while the open laboratories and agricultural experience also proved so popular that each session was filled to capacity as soon as registration opened. At the experimental-equipment and poster exhibitions, many visitors were seen intently following the staff's commentary. The lectures drew a large audience, who contributed to a lively Q and A.

14. Research Reactor Institute: "Atom Science Fair" lectures (Saturday 21 October)

The Research Reactor Institute's public event, the "Atom Science Fair 2017", took place on 21 October. The annual Fair is aimed at encouraging people of all ages to develop an interest in science.

The lecture event took place at Kumatori Town Exchange Center "Renga-kan", attended by 61 people despite the rainy weather. Three lectures were delivered under the theme of "Forefront of Medical Physics Assisting Radiation and Particle Beam Therapy", followed by a lively Q and A session.

The event concluded successfully, attracting positive feedback, such as "The program introduced me to the field of medical physics, and made me want to study it in the future," and "The lectures covered the basics, so they were easy to understand."

The Fair originally included an experimental session, scheduled for 29 October, but it was cancelled due to typhoon No 22.

15. Abuyama Observatory: Public program "Earthquake Science Museum Day 2017" (Thursday 2 and Friday 3 November)

DPRI's Abuyama Observatory hosted a public event on 2–3 November, entitled "Earthquake Science Museum Day 2017", with 118 attending.

Each day, the Observatory's staff and volunteers, called Abuyama Supporters, delivered four lectures to pre-registered attendees. For the first time, the event included an exhibition, open to all visitors, including those without prier registration. There were also four optional mini lectures focused on the Observatory's attractions.

Participants left comments such as "I enjoyed learning about the history of seismographs, and surveying the Osaka Plain from atop the observatory", and "I appreciated the one-on-one explanations, and really enjoyed freely looking around the facility."

16. Wakayama Forest Research Station: Public mini lecture (Sunday 29 October)

Cancelled due to typhoon No 22

17. Seto Marine Biological Laboratory: Facility tour (Saturday 28 October)

FSERC's Seto Marine Biological Laboratory (SMBL) hosted a facility tour for the KU Weeks on 28 October.

In addition to introducing SMBL's research activities, this annual event includes a tour of Hatakejima, an inhabited island administered by the laboratory, to raise awareness of the need to conserve its natural environment. This year, however, the island tour was cancelled due to the approaching typhoon No 22, and was substituted with a visit to the experimental vessel "Yanthina".

There were 18 participants, nine from neighboring towns, such as Shirahama and Tanabe, four from Wakayama City, four from Nara Prefecture, and one from Shiga Prefecture.

First, participants attended lectures on the "History and Activities of SMBL" and "Nature Protection on Hatakejima", and a briefing on "Yanthina". They then went to the harbor to board the vessel and set out to sea. Aboard "Yanthina", they experienced a typical sample-collection process, operating observation devices, such as radars and fish detectors, as well as an arm for hoisting and lowering underwater sampling equipment.

They then headed back to the harbor, traveling near the Sakata-no-Hana cape to view Hatakejima, and returned to SMBL for an aquarium backyard tour.

Participants left comments such as "It was unfortunate that the Hatakejima tour was cancelled due to the typhoon, but it was great to be able to see inside the experimental vessel and the backyard of an aquarium, which are usually inaccessible to visitors."

18. Shionomisaki Wind Effect Laboratory: Public program "Experiencing Meteorological Observation" (Saturday 21 October)

On 21 October, DPRI's Shionomisaki Wind Effect Laboratory hosted a public program entitled "Experiencing Meteorological Observation".

Despite an approaching typhoon, two sessions took place, one in the morning for the general public with 13 participants, and the other in the afternoon as an exchange and collaboration program with local high schools with seven students taking part.

Both sessions offered the same activities. After receiving a briefing on the mechanisms of meteorological instruments, such as aerotonometers, thermometers, hydroscopes, ombrometers, and 3D ultrasonic anemometers, participants measured upper-atmospheric conditions by releasing a helium balloon equipped with a GPS sonde — a device for measuring temperature and humidity — to an altitude of 16 km. Participants also learned, through a live demonstration, how to use a compact weather sensor (CWS) to measure wind velocity, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and rainfall.

They then watched presentations on: the history of the Wind Effect Laboratory, including past experiments; how to interpret information about typhoons; and typhoons and tornados that have hit Shionomisaki in the past. They also made small wind-power generators from plastic bottles, and tested them using an electric fan. In a successful experiment, the device emitted three kinds of LED light, each indicating a different voltage.

Despite concerns about the typhoon, the event concluded successfully, with participants leaving comments such as "I enjoyed the opportunity to experience what I could never do in my everyday life", and "The wind power experiment we did toward the end was really interesting."

19. Tokuyama Experimental Station: Public event co-hosted with Shunan City (Saturday 14 October)

On 14 October, FSERC's Tokuyama Experimental Station co-hosted a public lecture program with the city of Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

There were 20 participants –– residents of the cities of Shunan, Hikari, and Yamaguchi, and five students from Tokuyama High School and Yamaguchi Prefectural Tabuse Agricultural Technical High School.

They first visited a man-made forest of hinoki (Japanese cypress) on the station site, and watched a motokawashi , or "master bark peeler", harvest bark from the trees . Mr Koji Ohno, the peeler, kept answering questions from the participants to help them understand the harvesting process.

Participants also experienced water-quality analysis, a basic procedure in environmental research. In addition to the river- and well-water samples prepared by the station, they analyzed the samples they themselves brought in, and discussed the results with each other.

20. Tokushima Landslide Observatory: Tour of the facility, a landslide site, and an active fault (Saturday 7 October)

On 7 October, DPRI's Tokushima Landslide Observatory (TLO) hosted a tour of its facility, a landslide site, and an active fault.

This annual event was launched in 2015 to share information about landslides in the Shikoku region and the topological changes caused by the seismic activity of the Median Tectonic Line, one of the major faults in the country.

A total of 34 participated this year, outnumbering the expected maximum of 30. They met at TLO to first learn about the facility and the distribution of soils, landforms, and landslides across Shikoku, through lectures delivered using panels and maps. They then observed core samples collected through exploration, and learned about the characteristics of sliding soil masses.

Following the classroom sessions, participants traveled to a landslide site in the Nishi-ikawa district of Ikawa Town, a site that TLO has been closely monitoring for an extended period. They received a briefing on soils, landforms, movement characteristics, and the instruments used for landslide monitoring, and then took part in detecting and analyzing real-time micro tremors, as well as ground motions caused by their own jumping. They also visited the former sites of Ikeda and Hakuchi Castles to learn about their histories and topologies. Finally, in the town of Ikeda, they observed an exposed active fault and the topological changes caused by the seismic activity of the Median Tectonic Line.

Participants and the faculty actively conversed with each other, not only about the tour itself, but also about TLO's research activities.

The event received positive feedback, such as: "Thank you for the very enriching experience," "I learned so many things about each location that I would have missed as a tourist," and "I want to take part in this program every year."

21. Institute for Geothermal Sciences: Facility tour, public lectures, and building illumination (Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October)

The Graduate School of Science's Institute for Geothermal Sciences (IGS) hosted a facility tour and public lectures on 27 October. An illumination of its main building, a registered cultural property, occurred on the 27th and the 28th. IGS holds these events annually to introduce the general public to its research activities and to encourage an interest in geothermal sciences.

Two activities planned for the 29th — a simulated earthquake experience and "Jigoku (underground) Hiking” — were cancelled due to the typhoon.

In spite of the bad weather, 67 took part in the facility tour, and 22 attended the lectures. The tour included exhibitions and experiments held in three rooms and outside the building. Participants in one experiment session gasped in amazement to see rocks melt and flow like magma, while those attending the exhibitions and lectures asked the presenters numerous questions.

The day's program concluded successfully, with participants leaving comments such as "I had a great time," and "I will definitely come back next year."

22. Aso Volcanological Laboratory: Facility tour (Saturday 21 October)

On 21 October, the Graduate School of Science's Aso Volcanological Laboratory (AVL) hosted a facility tour.

Aiming to share its latest findings in volcanology with the local community, AVL began offering this annual tour in 2001, first independently, and then beginning in 2012, as part of KU Weeks. The 2016 event was cancelled due to the damage the facility sustained in the 2015 Kumamoto Earthquakes.

In spite of the stormy weather caused by an approaching typhoon, 68 participated, including parents and children. They listened attentively to briefings on volcanic activities of Mt Aso and the latest findings in volcanology. They then watched a live demonstration of observation equipment and experiments related to magma and volcanic eruptions.

23. Koshima Field Station: Public program "Observation of Koshima Monkeys" (Sunday 29 October)

Cancelled due to typhoon No 22

24. Miyazaki Observatory: Facility tour and a mini public lecture (Sunday 29 October)

Cancelled due to typhoon No 22

25. Sakurajima Volcano Research Center: Facility and tunnel tours (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October)

DPRI's Sakurajima Volcano Research Center (SVRC) hosted public tours of its main building and an observation tunnel on 28 and 29 October.

The annual building and tunnel tours, aimed at introducing the general public to the forefront of volcanological observation, used to be held separately, but were integrated into a single program for 2017. A total of 169 people applied for the 80 places offered, double the available numbers for the 2016 program, with 110 taking part.

Participants first toured the Komen observation tunnel, completed last year, listening to explanations about observation equipment and the role of such tunnels. They asked the attending staff numerous questions, while taking rare pictures of the tunnel's insides.

On 29 October, a tour scheduled for the morning was cancelled due to the typhoon, but fine weather prevailed in the afternoon to afford a view of the Showa crater from the Kurokami observatory room. During the facility tour, participants listened to explanations about observation devices and data, including a decades-old smoked-paper seismograph, images from the weather radar installed in August 2017, and a disdrometer.

Participants left comments such as: "I enjoyed the rare opportunity to see inside an observatory facility, which is usually closed to visitors, and got more interested in Sakurajima," and "I was surprised at how compact a research center can be."