Recreational Tree Climbing

Recreational Tree Climbing® in Japan

Tree Climbing® Japan (Tree-Friendly People)

His vision for helping people of all abilities to safely climb trees lead John to find Peter Jenkins of Tree Climbers International (TCI). After receiving basic training from TCI, he later went on to establish Asia's first tree-climbing school. 

In 1998 John founded, Tree Climbing Japan (TCJ), an organization to help people of all ages and abilities to safely climb trees. 

Special tree-climbing programs were developed for physically disabled and emotionally challenged persons. 
John's vision was to also include, nature appreciation, relaxation, and environmental education within special tree climbing programs in a fun and interactive way suited for families.

Tree Climbing Japan activities gained great popularity in Japan and within a few years became a nation-wide organization with instructors and facilitators holding events and special tree climbing sessions throughout Japan. TCJ activities have won a number of awards as well as cooperation with corporations and Japanese government. 

In 2005 John was the producer of the Growing Village pavilion, one of only two private pavilions funded by the Japanese government at the World Expo 2005. During the Expo, Tree Climbing Japan not only planted and grew living furniture, but also helped thousands of people climb trees. To date TCJ has helped over 300,000 people of all different abilities climb trees safely in Japan. 

In 2003 John further dreamed creating science based programs to help people with disabilities climb to overcome depression, reduce pain, increase mobility through special rehabilitation based adaptive tree climbing programs called Tree Climbing Therapy and TreeHab coined after Tree Rehabilitation. 
TCJ continues to have a close relationship with TCI and follows their guideline and standards while also branching out into original and unique tree-climbing programs and activities. 

Recreational tree climbing, facilitated by TCJ certified facilitators and instructors, is a wonderful, ecologically-friendly activity that is safe and fun. It also helps to build a greater respect and appreciation for Trees. 

Independent and scientific research confirms that interacting with trees and nature while young, results in a more ecologically-friendly conscience, greater self worth, better social and communication skills, enhanced ecologically sustainable actions and life choices. Tree Climbing is also a great way to offset "Nature Deficit Disorder" 1 and "play deficit" 2 . 
  1. Richard Louv (2005)
  2. Stuart Brown (2009)
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