Fabulous afternoon at the Omiya Bonsai Museum. Located a short walk from Toro Station on the JR Utsunomiya line. From Tokyo Station it was only about 35 minutes. We were incredibly fortunate that our visit coincided with a 30-minute tour. Our guide, Harry Turton, from the UK, taught us so much about bonsai, how it’s presented, how to appreciate it, and the history. I appreciate so much more of bonsai after our guided lecture. Arigato, Turton sensei!

I believe the tours are Tuesdays and Fridays at 2:00 p.m.

We also loved exploring the garden and taking in the many bonsai, some as old as 500 years and even one that is estimated to be 1,000 years old. Mindblowing.

Near the museum is the Bonsai Village. Residents open up their yards to visitors. To join the village residents must have at least ten bonsai, live in homes two stories at the maximum, to give sunlight to the bonsai, and be willing to open their gates to visitors.

We stopped by one to see a friend of ours, Kanta Hirota san, at his family’s garden. There is hundreds of bonsai on his property, many for sale.

I look forward to going back when I have more time. At the museum the current exhibition is on satsuki azalea bonsai. It would be fun to see other bonsai in the bonsai village.

Omiya is a major commuter city north of Tokyo. It was recently voted the number two popular city to live in near Tokyo, number one was Yokohama. If you do take the short train ride to Omiya I also highly recommend visiting Hikawa Shrine, which dates back 2,000 years. A gorgeous shrine with a big garden. 

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

https://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp/en/

Note that it is closed Thursdays.

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