Author: Peter

The year 2025 once again showed what the Swiss Club Tokyo is all about: bringing people together, enjoying good company, and celebrating a bit of Switzerland in Japan.

We started the year in the mountains with our traditional Ski Week in Shiga Kogen during the last week of February. Around twenty participants enjoyed several great days on the slopes – and perhaps even greater moments together off the slopes.

On March 22, a small but cheerful group gathered for a hike in Kamakura. While participation was modest, the pleasant walk and the conversations made it well worth it.

Spring continued with Sakura viewing on April 5 in Kinuta Park. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the weather was simply marvelous. As expected, we were far from the only ones enjoying the spectacle, but the festive atmosphere made it a memorable day.

Two weeks later, on April 19, families met for the Family Picnic in Futako Tamagawa. As the date coincided with Easter, the children were delighted to search for hidden Easter nests filled with chocolate treats – a highlight for the youngest members of the club.

A more formal gathering followed on June 12, when the Annual General Meeting took place at the prestigious Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Marunouchi. The evening marked an important moment for the club with the handover of the presidency.

One of the highlights of the year was our celebration of the Swiss National Holiday on July 27 at the YCAC in Yokohama. The day began with stifling summer heat, but as evening approached a pleasant breeze from Tokyo Bay made the celebration much more comfortable. Guests enjoyed Swiss sausages from the grill and raclette cheese, while the ever-faithful Tamagawa Alphorn Club provided a wonderful touch of Swiss folk music.

Throughout the year, our Stammtisch gatherings in Nihonbashi, held on the last Monday of each month, continued to be very popular. In addition, several informal get-togethers took place in Yokohama, as well as a memorable stand-up raclette evening hosted at the residence of the club’s president.

The social highlight of the year was undoubtedly the Year End Party on November 28 at the Hilton Tokyo. With the theme “Back to the 80s”, guests arrived in wonderfully creative outfits and competed for the best costume. Once again, it was a fabulous evening full of music, laughter, and dancing.

The year concluded on a warm and festive note with the Outdoor Christmas for Families on December 6, held at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador on St. Nicholas Day. Families enjoyed coffee, cake, and Christmas carols, while the children were thrilled by a visit from Santa Claus, who brought treats for everyone.

Looking back, 2025 was another year filled with friendship, tradition, and memorable moments. A heartfelt thank-you goes to everyone who helped organize events and to all members who joined and contributed to the vibrant spirit of the Swiss Club Tokyo.

Dear Friends of Switzerland,

Can you believe we’re already in the second month of 2025? Time flies, and before we get too far into the year, I wanted to share some important updates about our club.

A Change in Leadership

After nearly five wonderful years as President of the Swiss Club Tokyo, I’ve decided that the time has come to pass the torch. With my 70th birthday approaching in June, I feel it’s the perfect moment to step aside and make room for fresh energy and new ideas.

I’m pleased to announce that Massimo Biondi has stepped forward as a candidate to take on the role of President. Many of you already know him, especially if you’ve attended our Stammtisch gatherings. Even without an official board position, he has actively contributed to our club life with initiatives like the Urban Walk Experience and the Stammtisch Südkurve, a gathering for our Kanagawa-based members. The final decision on the next President will be made at our Annual General Meeting in mid-June, where the election will take place.

In the meantime, I’ll let Massimo introduce himself:

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Grüezi, I’m Massimo Biondi. Many of you may know me from Swiss Club Tokyo events over the years. For those I haven’t met yet—here’s a quick introduction!

As my greeting suggests, I’m from the German-speaking part of Switzerland—Zürich, to be precise. I grew up in the heart of the city, surrounded by banks (some of which no longer exist) and a beloved confectionery shop. Before settling in Tokyo, I also spent time living in Amsterdam and New York, though Zürich remains home, where I regularly visit family and friends.

My career began as a programmer (now called a software engineer), and while job titles have changed, my passion for technology remains. When I’m not buried in code, I love exploring Tokyo on foot, diving into its history, architecture, and design. And if you glance at my wrist, you might notice another passion—one that runs in my family.

There’s more to my story, and I’d love to share—just ask!

Motivation
The Swiss Club Tokyo has become an important link to my roots. When Peter announced his departure as president, I felt it was important to continue the great work he and his predecessors have done.

So, I’m stepping forward to offer my time and dedication as the next president. My goal is to strengthen the club as a vibrant community, welcoming all members.
I genuinely care about this community and want to help it grow. With your support, I hope to build on our strong foundation and make the Swiss Club Tokyo a lively and engaging home for all.

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What’s Coming Up in 2025?

We’ve got an exciting lineup of events to look forward to:

 Cherry Blossom Get-Together – Early April (still tentative, but fingers crossed!)
 Family Picnic – May
 Annual General Meeting – Mid-June
 Swiss National Day Celebration – Sunday, July 27 at YCAC Yokohama
 Year-End Party – November (exact date to be confirmed)
 Outdoor Christmas Party with Samichlaus – First weekend of December at the Swiss Residence

And of course, our monthly Stammtisch will continue on the last Monday of each month at the usual location, with the occasional Stammtisch Südkurve in Yokohama.

I might also bring back some hiking outings around Kamakura, so stay tuned for more details!

A Historic First: Online Voting for the Council of the Swiss Abroad

Last but not least, I’d like to draw your attention to the upcoming election of a new delegate to the Council of the Swiss Abroad. For the first time, Swiss citizens living in Japan will be able to vote for their delegate online—a project initiated by the Organization of the Swiss Abroad.

Please keep an eye out for further details, including candidate introductions and voting procedures. We will keep you informed through the Embassy of Switzerland (to reach all Swiss registered in Japan), as well as via our newsletter and this website.

Meet Sigrid Houberdon, a fellow Swiss who has called the breathtaking island of Yakushima home for 15 years. Famous for its ancient cedar forests, waterfalls, and rich biodiversity, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a true natural wonder. Sigrid is passionate about sharing Yakushima’s charm and offers tailored experiences to help you explore its unique beauty.

But let Sigrid introduce herself and explain how she can help you discover everything Yakushima has to offer:

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Yakushima Nature!

My name is Sigrid Houberdon, and for over 10 years, I’ve been guiding explorers through the stunning landscapes of Yakushima. Together with a team of three expert guides—myself, a French guide fluent in English and French, and a local Japanese guide fluent in English and Japanese—we offer you the chance to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Island in a way that perfectly matches your interests and abilities.

Yakushima is a magical place, with 70% of its land designated as a protected park. With hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking the challenge of climbing to the highest peaks, wandering through ancient cedar forests, or strolling through lush tropical landscapes, we tailor each experience to make it unforgettable. But we’re more than just mountain guides. In addition to our signature hiking and multi-day trekking excursions, we invite you to explore Yakushima’s rich history, culture, and gastronomy. Join us for unique experiences, like a workshop to craft your own chopsticks from thousand-year-old cedars, or a guided tour to meet local artisans and sample traditional specialties.

For those seeking adventure beyond the mountains, we also collaborate with expert ocean guides for diving and river guides for kayaking trips, giving you the chance to explore Yakushima from every angle.

At Yakushima Nature, we take the time to understand your needs and tailor your experience, making sure your discovery of this island is a truly unique and personal journey. Whether you’re here for the landscapes, the culture, or the adventure, Yakushima offers a wealth of natural beauty and wonders—and we’re here to show you all of it in complete safety and with deep respect for the island.

Come and experience Yakushima with us!”

https://www.yakushimanature.com/en

The Annual General Meeting of the Swiss Club Tokyo is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 18:30 at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Marunouchi.

Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ffDJmFWEDYzgQw1P9

The General Meeting is a members-only event, but anybody interested in joining the Swiss Club Tokyo, you can do so on this occasion.
If that is the case, please fill out the attached application form and send it not later than June 4, 2024.

After the meeting, we will be able to mingle and enjoy a sumptuous dinner buffet together (drinks included).

Contribution to the cost of the evening is JPY 4500 per person (payment upon registration, if possible, please prepare the exact amount!).

We would like to remind you to also prepare the annual membership fee for 2024 (Individual = JPY 3000, family = JPY 5000, student =JPY 2000).

If you have any questions, please contact us: Contact

Despite a few drops of rain, this year’s family picnic at Hyogojima Park in Futako Tamagawa was yet again a great success.

The children had plenty of opportunities to play around, while the parents could relax and chat with each other.

Why not join us for the annual Swiss Club Family picnic at Hyogojima Park in Futako Tamagawa?

This casual gathering is meant to give families with a Swiss background a chance to get together, share, exchange, and most of all – have some fun!

This being said, it is of course perfectly all right to join if you are single, non-Swiss, and/or if you do not have any children. Anybody is welcome!

If you are interested, please let us know the number of people in your group via contact form:

There is no need for a limit on the number of participants, and we do not have a deadline, but it would give us an idea about how many people we can expect.

Please bring your own food and drink with you. A sheet to sit upon, camping chairs, a sun shelter, etc. would be a good idea as well…

Unfortunately, BBQ is not permitted!

The organization team will reserve a spot with little swiss flags at the far end of the park (see flyer below) and await your arrival at around 11 AM.

The park is located rather close to Futako Tamagawa station, which is ideal if you choose to arrive via public transportation.

Parking a car might be difficult (proximity to station, weekend), but there is public parking approx. 800 meters from the park. Please check the link on Google Maps: Tamagawa Kasenjiki Parking Lot https://goo.gl/maps/4R9W4K9U48dQjVz66

Important Note: Depending on weather conditions, we might have to shift the picnic to Sunday, May 26, or, in the worst case, cancel the event!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us: swiss.club.tokyo@gmail.com

Best wishes from the Organization team!

Initially, it didn’t look to good for our Family Picnic this year. First, we had to postpone for one week because of bad weather. Even though the forecast for our second choice didn’t look to good either, we decided to go ahead with the event. As there was still a bit of a drizzle when we arrived at the park, we chose a sheltered spot underneath a bridge. After that, the rain stopped soon, and the weather improved gradually. Against expectations, almost everybody showed up until we were a respectable crowd.
Even though the picnic was scheduled to end at 15:00, most participants stayed until 18:00. Looks like everybody had a great time!

Fellow Swiss Club Member Elena Laghi, who is very active on social media, has posted a very nice article on our hiking experiences in and around Kamakura.

Japan Virtual Tours – Four Amazing Hiking Trails in Kamakura With the Swiss Club Tokyo

Elena has been on all the excursion we currently offer in the Kamakura area. Enjoy her article and find out more about her experiences and impressions.

Also, on her webpage you find a plethora of information that might be of interest for you. Check it out!

And here some photos of the hikes:

Daibutsu Trail

Kinubari Yama Trail

Tennen Trail

Trail to Takatori Yama