Tips for Visiting Bonsai Gardens in Japan

Bonsai

• Omiya Bonsai Art Museum – Beautiful garden and museum that makes a great starting point for visiting the famous Omiya Village bonsai gardens. (open to the public)
• Omiya Bonsai Village – Six gardens within walking distance from the museum. Check out Mansei-en (very close to the museum), Fuyo-en (the garden of deciduous specialist Hiroshi Takeyama), and any of the other gardens that are open. (open to the public)
• Aichi-en – bonsai garden of Junichiro Tanaka (appointment only)
• Shunka-en – bonsai garden of Kunio Kobayashi (appointment recommended)
• Bonsai garden of Masahiko Kimura (appointment only)
• Daitokuji Hoshun-in Bonsai Garden at the Daitokuji temple complex (open to the public)

Pots

• Marutatu Isomura Shouten – A pot vendor that sells containers from many local potters including Koyo and Reiho. Great starting point for visiting any of the kilns in Tokoname.

Exhibits

• Gafu-ten – Shohin exhibit held in January (Kyoto, Miyakomesse)
• Kokufu-ten – National exhibit held in February (Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum)
  • Ueno Green Club – Vendor area for Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition (15 min. walk from the Metropolitan Art Museum)
• Taikan-ten – Large exhibit held in November (Kyoto, Miyakomesse)

Gardens (non-bonsai)

• Kyoto
  • Kiyomizu-dera (temple on the hill)
  • Tenryu-ji (temple and garden)
  • Ryoan-ji (famous zen garden)
  • Kinkaku-ji (golden pavilion)
  • Daitoku-ji (temple complex with many sub-temples open to the public on different days)
  • Heian-jingu (temple close to Miyakomesse and other museums)

Fun Neighborhoods to Explore

• Kyoto
  • Gion – old neighborhood with traditional buildings
  • Train station – it’s huge with scores of good restaurants
• Tokyo
  • Shibuya
  • Shinjuku
  • Ueno Park (site of Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the Kokufu exhibit)
  • Ameyoko Shopping District (pedestrian mall south of the Ueno train station) and Nakamachi Dori (just to the east); restaurants, bars, and shopping

Where to Stay

• Tokyo
  • The area around the Ueno train station is a good place to stay when visiting the Kokufu Exhibition (show venue and vendor area are a 15-30 min. walk)
• Kyoto
  • The area around the Kyoto train station is a good place to stay when visiting Taikan-ten or Gafu-ten; show venue is accessible by bus, taxi, and subway (the most convenient option as it avoids traffic)