This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
The Weed Research Club at Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School, located in Chiyoda City in the heart of Tokyo, is currently comprised of over 20 members across all 3 grade levels. Many joined because they wanted to be part of a cultural club, or liked the welcoming vibe. Few had prior interest in plants or weeds. But, Kirioka tells us, there is something about weeds that draws people in over time.
"The more you learn about weeds, the more fascinating they become. Take cucumber herb. When you rub its leaves, it smells just like a cucumber. Weeds I didn't even know the names of when I first joined now feel near and dear to me."
One standout feature of the club is that they eat the weeds they study. Tsutsumi says that eating the weeds completely changed his perspective on nature.
"When eating a weed, you really have to make sure it's not toxic. Skipping that is dangerous. And through that process, you realize that each weed has a name, and a unique ecology. Learning that made me notice just how much plant life exists in our regular, everyday surroundings."
The clubroom for the Weed Research Club is located in the same hallway as the science-based clubs, including clubs for physics and earth sciences, astronomy, biology, and chemistry. But even among them, its activities stand out as uniquely unconventional. While the club for biology focuses on keeping and studying animals and insects, Kirioka says, "The draw of the Weed Research Club is that we pay attention to the nature in places no one usually cares to look."
"Weeds hide in ordinary spots—between cracks in buildings, near your feet. But when you really look at them, they can be really cute. I love noticing these tiny little lives."
Because of the school's location in central Tokyo, most of their fieldwork is limited to the school grounds. But Tsutsumi says Hibiya High School's grounds are surprisingly rich in nature.
"There are so many plants, insects, and even small animals around here that some students joke it's basically a jungle. Even in the middle of the city, there's so much to study, we can't keep up."
The Weed Research Club also makes use of the original field guide, Flora of Hibiya High School, that they inherited from former members. They have used it to create a weed map of the school grounds, and even worked with the school library to make plant-themed bookmarks—efforts aimed at sharing their research results beyond the club.
Tsutsumi says that the field guide has also led to the discovery of rare plants.
"We once stumbled upon corydalis, a plant listed on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'Red List of Threatened Species,' right on our school grounds. It had these bright yellow flowers that made it stand out, and when we looked it up, we realized it was endangered. Knowing a plant like that exists right here on school grounds made us feel a real sense of urgency. Since we've been lucky enough to find it, we want to protect it as much as possible, and make sure the research is documented properly."
The club's culinary experiments with weeds are evolving as well. Lately, Kirioka says, they have even tried adding sweet osmanthus to their usual wild herb tea.
"We were worried the aroma of it would be overpowering, but it turned out surprisingly sweet, and tasted nice. Of course, we always check for toxicity before we eat any weed, but the urge to explore new flavors and aromas is endless."
As Kirioka's knowledge of weeds has grown, so has her view of the city scenery.
"Even the weeds in front of my house—I now see how hard they're working to survive. Sometimes I even see a bit of myself in them."
Tsutsumi says observing these humble plants has gotten him thinking about how we can live sustainably with the nature in cities.
"Plants are fighting to survive too, but sometimes they do get in the way of human life. Ideally, I'd like them to coexist with us without causing us too much trouble."
Tsutsumi adds that achieving balance with nature in cities requires a shift in mindset.
"Noticing plants takes a certain calmness of mind. If people had more time, maybe they'd have more space for that. I hope more people grow to have that kind of awareness."
A group of young researchers, studying weeds in a corner of central Tokyo. In doing so, they are cultivating a new vision for how cities and nature can grow together.
Operating on the concept that envisions green urban development for the next 100 years, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pushing initiatives to protect, cultivate and utilize, and cultivate Tokyo's greenery.By promoting initiatives like the creation of a biodiverse community, its efforts aim to transform Tokyo into a sustainable city that exists in harmony with nature.
TOKYO GREEN BIZ - Green Urban Development -TMG
