The University of Tokyo forests and forest science education in Japan

In-forest teaching is a vital element of forest science education at university level, and university forests play a critical role in this. In Japan, the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) owns the oldest university forest, which was established in 1894. This paper outlines how the University of Tokyo Forests (UTF) provide in-forest education for forest science. The UTF consist of seven branch stations with a total area of over 32,000 ha. Third- and fourth-year undergraduate students majoring in forest science attend field courses in these forests. Same undergraduate and graduate students are affiliated with the UTF, where they conduct field studies for their graduate theses. Since 2005, the UTF have expanded their educational activities by offering university-wide hands-on experience seminars with field experience for first- and second-year undergraduate students, although these courses are open to all students studying at UTokyo