Saitama Omiya | Peaceful Paths of Bonsai
Omiya is a located just north of Tokyo, in Saitama prefecture, a mainly urban prefecture that houses a huge number of Tokyo’s city workers. Omiya’s star attraction is the Omiya Bonsai Village, one of the best places in Japan to get an in-depth insight into the art of aesthetic miniaturization. The village began in the 1920’s when a group of Bonsai growers moved to Omiya from their home district in central Tokyo which had been damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Omiya was their choice of relocation due to its clean water, available land, and favorable soil. Over the years the village has grown and now houses hundreds of thousands of miniature trees and plants. Multiple bonsai nurseries and a superb bonsai art museum are situated along the district's peaceful paths.An excellent addition to the village in 2010 was the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, which educates visitors about the various aspects of bonsai. English audio guides and well written English descriptions explain clearly how to appreciate the art form and highlight key points to take note of. The museum also exhibits the various styles of bonsai and accompanying elements such as pots and stones.
They welcome walk-in visitors, but do not allow photography. They have on sale their wide selections of bonsai as well as relevant gardening tools. Nursery owners are generally happy to answer questions and appreciate any interest shown in bonsai. The nurseries and bonsai museum are closed on Thursdays. The Omiya Bonsai Village is a perfect spot for those interested in the art of bonsai.
