Guide to Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama
Best Place to Visit for Bonsai Lovers: Bonsai Museum at Omiya Bonsai Village
The popular traditional Japanese cultural art, Bonsai (plantings in trays) has been attracting people all over the world lately. If you are into Bonsai art, there is one place that you should visit near Tokyo. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Omiya Bonsai Village, Saitama Prefecture is the first public Bonsai art museum in Japan which opened in 2010. Let’s visit the Bonsai Museum and dig into the world of Bonsai!
Welcome to the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama
The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum (大宮盆栽美術館) is located in Toro City, Saitama which is also known as the “Bonsai Village”. Numbers of Bonsai gardens and related facilities are situated in this small city, and you can regularly see the bonsai gardeners working on their masterpieces in this neighbourhood.
The museum has three exciting sections. It begins from the Indoor Collection Gallery which has the Introduction Area, the Main Gallery and the Zashiki-kazari Area, and bonsai arts are displayed in a small Japanese Tatami room with bonki (bonsai pots), suiseki-stones,both historical and folkloric materials and pictures. Displayed Bonsai art works are selected according to the season and rotate on weekly basis. (Photography is not allowed in this section..)
The next section is Photo Free Area where about 10 Bonsai arts are displayed outside and we are free to take photos of them as much as we want!
So here are some of amazing Bonsai Art works in this museum.
While you enjoy photography and test your photo skill, you are reaching the most exciting part of the museum.
The last section is Bonsai Garden where 40–50 bonsai art are displayed in the traditional authentic Japanese garden. (Also no photography allowed..)
The garden with the circle path is perfectly ideal for viewing bonsai arts from every different sides and angles. The garden also can be seen in over-look view from the terrace in 2F of a main building.
The real advantage of the outdoor museum is that we can fully enjoy the beauty of Bonsai for four different seasons. Summer is possibly the best time as bonsai trees are full in green and some bearing fruits.
Feeling very Zen? Indulge yourself with master pieces of Bonsai Arts! The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum can be accessed from Tokyo within 1 hour!
-Omiya Bonsai Art Museum (大宮盆栽美術館)
Access by train: 5 mins walk from JR Toro station East exit. Toro city can be reached by JR Utsunomiya line/Shonan-Shinjuku line/Ueno Tokyo line (less than 1 hour from central Tokyo)
Admission: 300 JPY
Hours: 9:00–16:30 (-16:00 from November to February)
Closed: Thursdays
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"The world is my oyster" A globetrotter 🌎 and hammock lover 🌞 who loves taking adventures to fuel wanderlust. Born and raised in Japan, I have spend almost a decade living and exploring countries across the world. Based on my travel experience, I'd love to share my knowledge and tips for travelling with my readers. I hope my stories help you plan your trip and have a great time in Japan 🌈