Is there likely to be something a little closer to home in the near future edzard or is this trip to Tokyo like a trip to Mecca?

INKognito,..
I have not heard anything yet, about seminars closer to home,.. and if you can get Lee to give you a job then she'll send you to Kyoto along with her other staff...
Mecca?, pretty much... it doesn't get much better, unless you find, pick and choose your own destinations, and then you'd be missing the educational commentary.
...yes, it is a must do, that will make a difference for years to come. You'd enjoy it and the instructors...

Inky --- I second Edzard's enthusiastic endorsement of this program. I wrote down everything I heard during the two weeks and typed up my notes afterwards. A mini-education, fascinating and much better than going on your own. Because you're with a university group, you get to go into parts of gardens that are usually restricted to visitors, visit gardens not open to the public, and hear lectures by all sorts of specialists.

Lee