Explore the history of bonsai at the museum, then stroll the storied bonsai nurseries
2 hour group experience
Location: Kita-ku, Saitama
At one of six bonsai historical Omiya bonsai gardens
Offered in Japanese, with friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
What you’ll do
Accompanied by a guide, learn the history of bonsai at the Omiya Bonsai Museum, then stroll the storied bonsai nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village.
If you would like to book a tailor-made bonsai experience, contact us at info@deeperjapan.com
Includes
Hachi (bonsai pot) and tools
(For the bonsai making experience, If you’d like to bring the bonsai you made home with you instead of the hachi and tools, please note that importing bonsai internationally involves detailed procedures and that permission is not always granted. For this reason, we recommend international guests to bring home the hachi and tools instead of the bonsai.)
Who can attend
Children must be 7+
Availability
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (12:00 - 14:00)
Session 3 (14:00 - 16:00)
Access
50 minutes from Tokyo Station.
About the Omiya Bonsai Village
The Omiya Bonsai Village itself was founded before the war by a coalition of bonsai gardeners searching for a prime location around Tokyo to establish their nurseries. A modern beacon for bonsai enthusiasts, the village draws visitors from all over the world with its collection of artful masterpieces and living cultural heritage. Each garden in the village is run by a different family of masters, who pursue and perfect their own style of cultivation. Formed in 1925 following the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1925, Omiya was selected due to the areas pristine water and good soil, essential for cultivating healthy bonsai.
The birthplace of modern bonsai
Despite bonsai’s centuries of history and aesthetic importance, bonsai culture suffered severely during World War II, with countless prominent bonsai trees destroyed by fire, caretaking prohibited barring rare exceptions, and effort focused on daily survival rather than cultivation. Postwar revival of this revered botanical and spiritual practice originated at the Omiya Bonsai Village, where the creation of the Omiya Bonsai Association not only sparked renewed interest in the art, but also led to the nationwide creation of the Nippon Bonsai Association.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
