THE BEST OF JAPAN / MAKE YOUR TRIP AN UNFORGETTABLE ONE

AOYAMA SQURE
  1. VOL. 24 | WINTER 2024
  2. Saitama

Saitama

LOCAL INSIGHTS - Saitama

A yama-momiji (Japanese maple) named “Musashi-ga-oka” (“Autumn View”)
OMIYA BONSAI ART MUSEUM

The Omiya Bonsai Village was established in 1925 by a group of professional bonsai gardeners from Tokyo who moved to what is now part of the city of Saitama after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.

Known as one of Japan’s top bonsai centers, the Omiya Bonsai Village has six gardens steeped in history. Visitors can view and purchase a wide variety of bonsai grown and cared for in each garden.

There is also the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum nearby, which features wide-ranging exhibits that allow visitors to understand the fascinating aspects of bonsai and their history. This includes not just great trees, but also pots, suiseki (natural rocks appreciated for their aesthetically attractive shapes) on stands and trays, pictures depicting bonsai, and materials and artifacts with historic and cultural significance.

As home to the world-renowned premium bonsai brand “Omiya Bonsai,” the Omiya Bonsai Village is visited by fans from around the globe. 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the village’s opening and will see all manner of festivities, including a bonsai festival, collaborations and much more — be sure to check it out!


Omiya Bonsai Art Museum’s Instagram@omiyabonsaiartmuseum