Omiya Bonsai Village
【English guided tour】
30mins. from Tokyo
Our tour will take you on a leisurely stroll through the renowned Omiya Bonsai Village, a true mecca for bonsai enthusiasts, with an expert guide who shares your love of bonsai. Omiya Bonsai Village is one of the rare places where bonsai artisans reside and collaborate. Creating and perfecting this unique art form. At its height, the village boasted more than 30 bonsai gardens; today, six of these magnificent gardens are open to visitors. Over the course of three hours, we'll visit the Bonsai Museum and three distinctive bonsai gardens in the area, each with its own unique style and flavor. Our guide, steeped in knowledge and passion for bonsai, will provide fascinating insight into the cultivation and care of these miniature masterpieces, enhancing your appreciation of the art form.
The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is the world's first public museum dedicated solely to bonsai. You can appreciate the bonsai masterpieces that Japan boasts to the world.
We will visit 3 bonsai garden(Mansei-en, Seiko-en, and Fuyo-en) Mansei-en : You can see magnificent trees on display, which can be considered as masterpieces, as well as indoor hanging scrolls and floor decorations adding to the colorful ambiance. Seiko-en : One of the bonsai gardens in Omiya Bonsai Village that you don't want to miss, with one of the most beautiful collections of bonsai on display. Fuyo-en : Mr. Hiroshi Takeyama, who has a deep understanding of deciduous trees, owns a garden that is remarkably beautiful, where you can see several masterpieces of bonsai.
Address
1, Toro-cho, Kita-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 331-0804 Japan
Access Information
Meeting place : Toro Station (the East Exit Rotary of JR Toro Station)
Official URL
Business hours
Start time 10:00 AM
Regular holidays and closed days
None *Tours may not be held on certain days due to facility inspection days, etc.
Charges
￥20,000～（This tour is available on a private basis and can accommodate from one to six people.）
Parking Information
No. Paid parking available nearby
Tourist route including this experience
A Journey Through Timeless Art, Passed Down Generations
5-8H
Ancient Japanese texts state that the Imperial Family of Japan, along with its reigning Emperor, has held an unbroken lineage for a staggering 2,700 years. But how can a single dynasty survive for so long? One part of the answer may lie in Saitama! ©Saitama Tourism and International Relations Bureau At the Bonsai Art Museum is a pine tree estimated to be 1,000 years old. It’s been passed down between numerous owners spanning generations, being carefully tended to by each to grow into the beauty we see today. Using your smartphone, you can listen to multi-language audio guiding you through the gallery collection, inviting a deeper level of appreciation. After learning about bonsai at the Omiya Bonsai Village, head out into the bonsai garden to fully enjoy its treasures. Next to Omiya is Iwatsuki, a former castle town with 500 years of history that remains full of charm. It’s also known for its doll-crafting industry, particularly for traditional “hina ningyo” dolls, which are dressed up to recreate Japan’s old imperial court to celebrate the Hinamatsuri festival. The Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum lets you dive into the world of traditional Japanese doll making, which has been passed down from grandmother to mother and child for generations, and is also deeply intertwined with the Japanese Imperial Family.
Cultivating Tradition : Bonsai Artistry and Time-Honored Cuisine
5-8H
To truly appreciate the art of bonsai, deeply embedded in the Japanese aesthetic, a visit to the Omiya Bonsai Village is a must. After immersing yourself in bonsai, savor the traditional taste of Saitama with grilled kabayaki eel, presenting both the culture and tastes of Japan at their finest.