Based on the concepts of trash, festival, life, and art, the Gomi Matsuri , a garbage-themed festival, was held on May 3, or Gomi no Hi (lit., “garbage day;” a name derived from “gomi” having the same sounds as “5” and “3” in Japanese), in preparation for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which commences in April 2025. This year’s Gomi Matsuri, the second in as many years, was held at the Sakishima Morena and ATC Seaside Stage. Students from two Ritsumeikan University student organizations, Potential and the Environmental Group of Ooki Ni, the World Expo Student Committee, held a joint exhibit, and students from the Tea Ceremony Club also participated in the event.

The Gomi Matsuri is organized by steAm Band, a general incorporated association that is headed by Sachiko Nakajima, the Thematic Project Producer for The Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion, one of the Signature Pavilions of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Due to the Ritsumeikan Trust being one of the Jellyfish Pavilion’s sponsors, students from the three aforementioned Ritsumeikan University student organizations joined the event as exhibitors.

Potential, a student group that is working to transform electronic waste into accessories, and the Environmental Group of the Ooki Ni World Expo Student Committee held a joint workshop on the topic of the environment. By completing missions, such as taking a garbage separation quiz and participating in a garbage weight experience, and joining a workshop to craft original rings out of electronic parts obtained from capsule vending machines and old candy wrappers, visitors to their booth could learn about the environment in a playful manner. At the booth, families with children appeared to happily work together on their crafts.

Meanwhile, the Tea Ceremony Club held a tea ceremony in a tea room they built from garbage. Under the guidance of members from Kikusuikai, an Urasenke school tea ceremony group, and in cooperation with the tea manufacturer Ito En, Ritsumeikan University students took the lead in holding preliminary meetings in preparation for the event, together with members of the Kobe University Tea Ceremony Club. With no idea about what kind of trash would actually be at the venue, the students conceived an Umbrella Tea Ceremony. Based on the idea of holding an inspiring indoor tea ceremony where people could experience the atmosphere of an outdoor ceremony, the students built their Garbage Tea Room from discarded plastic umbrellas, cardboard, and other materials.

With rules against sitting on the floor and using formal language, the students held the ceremony to dispel the image of tea ceremonies, which tend to be considered formal occasions. Sachiko Nakajima, one of the judges for the Garbage Art Contest, which was the main event of the Gomi Matsuri, attended the ceremony along with the architect Tetsuo Kobori, Professor Hiroshi Suzuki from the University of Tokyo, other members of the Jellyfish Pavilion, and members of the general public. The Umbrella Tea Ceremony was a success, as everyone appeared to have an enjoyable time.

After the Garbage Art Contest and the various workshops held at Sakishima Morena came the Kurage Jam, where musicians paraded to the ATC Seaside Stage while playing their instruments. The grand finale was a stage performance by Sachiko Nakajima’s Kurage Band.

This year’s Gomi Matsuri attracted a crowd of around 200 visitors. The event appears to have raised people’s interest in garbage issues, and it provided an opportunity for everyone to once again think about why the SDGs were established and the many efforts being taken to achieve them. At Ritsumeikan University, we will continue to create opportunities for students to learn and play an active role in the leadup to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.