2 hour private experience
Location: Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Tour a Kumamoto bonsai nursery with a 3rd-generation bonsai specialist. Learn about the history and craft of bonsai as you stroll the gardens. Then, guided by the bonsai master, try your hand at styling a small bonsai yourself.
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:30)
Who can attend
Children must be 12+ years old.
What to wear/bring
Clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Access
35min by car from Kumamoto Station
23min by car from Kumamoto Airport
Pruning Perfection
Along the outskirts of Aso, where volcanic landscapes and fertile plains have shaped the region for centuries, the carefully cultivated form of countless miniature trees, branches stretching and bending, gather, protected by a family of bonsai experts. Row after row of bonsai, spreading through open gardens, covered sheds, or displayed in wooden showcases, are devotedly tended to by a father-son horticulturist duo, the 2nd and 3rd generation, respectively. The origins of bonsai in Japan trace back more than a thousand years, when Buddhist monks introduced the practice from China. Over the centuries, the botanical art evolved into a distinctly Japanese form, admired by aristocrats, samurai, and eventually enthusiasts across the country, and viewed today as a living expression of nature itself. Step inside this prestigious working nursery to discover the craftsmanship behind bonsai, then shape your own miniature landscape under the guidance of the family who continue this remarkable tradition into contemporary times.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
