Bonsai
Those who are in the know can tell you that Saitama Prefecture is sacred ground for Bonsai enthusiasts.
Bonsai Village in Omiya is considered to be the center of the world’s Bonsai culture, and is visited by many enthusiasts from all over the world.
Those who are in the know can tell you that Saitama Prefecture is sacred ground for Bonsai enthusiasts.
Bonsai Village in Omiya is considered to be the center of the world’s Bonsai culture, and is visited by many enthusiasts from all over the world.
Bonsai: The Purest of Natural Beauty and Sensitivity
Bonsai is a traditional Japanese artform in which creations are expressed in time, space, and landscape.
In addition, Bonsai has a particular sensitivity to the changing of the four seasons, and its ability to display the power of nature expression and aesthetic sense captivates the viewer.
Today, the word “Bonsai” has been adopted internationally and the art has come to be a well-known facet of Japan’s unique culture.
The History of Omiya Bonsai
The relationship between Omiya and Bonsai is closely intertwined, including the creation of the Bonsai Village in Omiya during the Taisho Era (1912-1926) and the holding of world's first Bonsai convention.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1923 | A number of Bonsai growers from the remote forested areas of Tokyo’s Musashino relocated to what was at the time Omiya City’s Torocho district. |
| 1925 | The Bonsai growers inspired interest among the local residents and the number of Bonsai practitioners grew. Omiya Bonsai Village was established. |
| 1970 | The Japanese government held a Bonsai and Suiseki (naturally occurring shaped stone) exhibition at the Japan World Exposition in Osaka. The largest number of the exhibits was provided by Omiya Bonsai Village. |
| 1989 | The "1st World Bonsai Convention" was held in Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture (currently Saitama City). The convention was held over four days with approximately about 1,200 bonsai enthusiasts from 32 countries around the world participating in demonstrations and workshops; it was hailed as a great success. |
| 2017 | The "8th World Bonsai Convention in Saitama" was held in Saitama City. Approximately 120,000 people from over 40 countries came to the convention and related events, and the venues were crowded with many visitors. |
Omiya Bonsai Village
Omiya Bonsai Village is a tranquil place with the air of a classic Japanese-style townscape.
Home to the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama and several Bonsai gardens, the streets in this village are adorned with the names such as “Sakura” (cherry blossom), “Momiji” (Japanese maple),
“Kaede” (maple), and “Shide” (hornbeam). The Great Bonsai Festival is held in May every year, attracting visitors from around the world, making it an event that is bustling with Bonsai enthusiasts.
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The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama
At the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama, premier selections from Japan’s greatest Bonsai collections are on display in their most stunning forms. There are also special exhibitions and lectures held that convey the appeal of Bonsai to people both in Japan and abroad.
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The Bonsai Gardens of Omiya Bonsai Village
There are currently five Bonsai gardens in Bonsaicho, each with their own unique Bonsai trees, and visitors to the gardens enjoy seeing their changes in appearance throughout the four seasons.
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The House of the Four Seasons
With its quaint exterior, the House of the Four Seasons is used as a rest area for visitors to the Bonsai gardens. There is a room for relaxing inside that guests are welcome to use freely.
Bonsai x Pioland Hotel
Omiya Bonsai tree on display in front of the Reception Desk welcomes our guests.
We also have pamphlets for Omiya Bonsai Village available at the Reception Desk for guests who would like to learn more. Please ask for a pamphlet if you are interested.