Omiya Bonsai Village — Attraction in Saitama

The museum was closed due to renovations, so check its re-opening date before you come. There were 5-6 other bonsai nurseries there that you can visit, and I saw plenty of amazing bonsais. No photography is allowed, so just soak in all the beautiful arrangements. I asked one of the masters about a small bonsai and he told me it took 25 years to grow from seeds. For international travellers you are probably out of luck, domestic visitors can buy bonsai at pretty reasonable prices (when factoring in the work that has been put in). You can buy some nice and small ceramic bonsai pots in a couple of the nurseries. Eye-opening experience if you like plants. Only two train stops away from Omiya Station or if you are a walker you can definitely walk here from the Station through...

What a cute area! We did not arrive in Omiya until 4PM on a Friday evening after a last minute change in plans, sadly the bonsai and manga museum were already closed, but after seeing this area on Design Talk+ during an NHK World broadcast, I knew we'd have to at least walk around and check it out. The small visitor center was still open and provided free walking maps of the area, which was appreciated!

The entire area was a quiet residential district and a pleasure to walk. Littered with small outdoor bonsai areas in from of random houses and small parks to enjoy outdoor time in, if that's your cup of tea I highly recommend talking a stroll in the neighborhood if you find yourself in the area. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle...

This location just marks a central place in the village, but there is nothing particularly interesting right at this point on the map. It is best to check the specific locations of the museum and nurseries for their opening hours. However, Omiya is a beautiful area, with several Bonsai nurseries where you can go for a walk, enjoy the bonsai on display and buy some trees, pots or tools. If you are a bonsai enthusiast, this is a must-see, and if not, it is still highly recommended to spend a morning enjoying something so...