If you work at a global company, you may have faced this situation before: your CEO or other VIPs are visiting Japan, and you’re asked to arrange an authentic cultural experience. The challenge? Knowing what kind of program will truly resonate and leave a lasting impression.
To address this common challenge, we present a case study from MOTENAS Japan, a company that specializes in tailor-made cultural programs for corporate clients. In this example, a team-building initiative for an American IT company successfully bridged the gap between international VIPs and Japanese members, creating a deeper sense of connection and mutual understanding.
Client Request and Background
This project began with a request from the Japan office of a U.S.-based IT company.
Their inquiry was: “We would like to experience Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, as a team-building activity with our overseas visitors and members of our Japan office. However, we are not sure how to go about it.”
To meet this request, MOTENAS Japan designed a hands-on Ikebana program in which participants selected their own vases and Kenzan (needle-point holders), and even took part in the cleanup—an essential part of the practice that embodies Japanese etiquette. By exploring Ikebana’s philosophy of the “aesthetics of subtraction” and progressing from individual arrangements to collaborative creations, the program aimed to foster both a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and stronger communication within the team.
Event Schedule
- Introduction to Ikebana and Japanese culture
- Demonstration by the instructor
- Creation of a basic arrangement individually
- Team building through group arrangement making
- Final review and feedback
Program Details
The program began by introducing participants to the profound philosophy behind Ikebana. We first shared the history and cultural background of this Japanese art, along with the spirit of Omotenashi—Japan’s unique approach to hospitality. Rather than just offering a hands-on activity, we emphasized creating an opportunity for deeper cultural learning so that our international guests could truly understand the essence of Japanese culture.
Next came a live demonstration by the instructor.
In this session, the focus was on clarifying the differences between Ikebana and Western flower arrangement. Through the demonstration, participants experienced the Japanese concept of “less is more”—finding beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and incompleteness. This was not simply about floral techniques, but about gaining insight into the Japanese way of thinking and aesthetics.
During the hands-on portion, each participant selected flowers, arranged them using traditional tools such as vases and Kenzan (needle holders), and created their own unique work. They then presented their arrangements and received personalized feedback from the instructor.
The program went a step further by incorporating a team-building element. Participants were divided into small groups and asked to collaborate on group arrangements. Each team presented their creation and received comments from the instructor.
By experiencing both individual and group arrangements, participants could appreciate the differences between working alone and working as a team. The group activity, in particular, encouraged collaboration, highlighted the value of diversity, and gave participants a shared sense of accomplishment.
What Sets MOTENAS Japan Apart
In many programs offered by standard travel agencies, the venue, instructor, and program content are predetermined as fixed packages, leaving little room for customization based on the client’s needs. In some cases, agencies simply hand everything over to the instructor without much involvement, resulting in a “one-size-fits-all” experience.
MOTENAS Japan takes a very different approach to team-building programs.
We always begin by carefully listening: Who is coming, from which country, and for what purpose? What do you hope to achieve through this experience? Just as importantly, we take the time to understand the unique expectations Japanese hosts may have regarding hospitality and corporate entertainment, as well as the values and intentions of each client company. With these insights, we design and plan each program from the ground up—tailor-made for every occasion.
Our commitment extends to instructor selection as well. Based on the client’s budget, we identify the right experts and conduct thorough pre-meetings and rehearsals. When choosing instructors, we carefully evaluate three criteria: mastery of their art, English proficiency, and their ability to engage and entertain.
In cases where an instructor’s English skills are limited, we provide a professional bilingual MC to ensure smooth communication. For these MCs, we prioritize candidates with international experience—such as former employees at global theme parks or former cabin crew—who understand how to provide attentive care to international guests.
This meticulous attention to detail, from planning to execution, enables MOTENAS Japan to deliver services that not only meet but exceed client expectations.
Creating Unique Japanese Cultural Experiences from Scratch
MOTENAS Japan’s team-building programs stand out for their ability to design and deliver bespoke experiences that align with each company’s unique goals, offering peace of mind and confidence in every detail of execution.
Even from a broad request such as, “We want to host our executives from outside Japan, but we’re not sure what to do,” we can draw from over 100 cultural programs to craft a tailor-made experience from the ground up.
By introducing concepts like the “aesthetics of subtraction” in Ikebana, MOTENAS Japan helps participants gain insight into Japanese ways of thinking. It is through this deeper understanding of Japanese culture that true cross-cultural connection is formed.
No matter how vague the request—“Could we do something like this?”—MOTENAS Japan is ready to transform your ideas into an unforgettable program. They turn intentions into experiences that resonate, creating moments of genuine cultural exchange.
For those who want to know more about our services and the implementation process.
Our dedicated concierge will be happy to guide you through the process.
After graduating from university, I worked as a Systems Engineer (SE) at Reuters Japan. Later, I spent five years as a Systems Manager at Reuters Singapore. After that, I studied business administration at a business school in the Netherlands and joined Hitachi Ltd. At Hitachi, I was responsible for new business development, promoting new projects in China and investment schemes in emerging countries. After working for 11 years, I started running Motenas Japan, offering Japanese cultural experiences to foreigners under the motto “Bringing Japan and the world closer together.”
