A hot tourist spot:Bonsai Village!

Lately I hear that Bonsai is highly popular among foreign people especially from Europe and the US. There seems to be a Bonsai more than 1,000 years old or 100 million yen valuation. What an amazing world!

I heard that there is a Bonsai village established about 100 years ago formed with Bonsai craftsmen. So I went there.

There are 5 Bonsai gardens in a Bonsai village. They sell Bonsai and operate the Bonsai class.

What? It is a normal residential area. I wonder if there is a Bonsai garden in such an area???

Look! A Bonsai garden seems to be a normal house. Well… I hesitate to knock on the door. Don’t worry. 　As long as you keep the rules, you can freely go into it.

Here I am at Seikouen with full of green.

Once you pass the gate, it’s a Bonsai world!

You see flowers or a hanging Bonsai as well as a potted Bonsai.

The price of the pine seedling is about 1,500 yen. I could buy it.

All right! I chose Gardenia as it had sweet smell. Well, how can I plant it? Yes! Let’s go to a Bonsai class to learn.

First, you loosen the roots and plant them with soil for Bonsai to the pot.

The teacher praised me saying, “You chose a great seedling!” 　I did it!

After pouring plenty of water, I spread moss from the trunk of Bonsai to all over the surface of the pot.

Finished! What a nice looking. I cannot wait for the flower blooming next month.

■ Point

Bonsai for beginners is a Chinese Junuiper if you put the plant at a place under the sunshine. If not, maple is easy to take care. Please try.

■ Information

Bonsai village information

http://www.stib.jp/e/tourism/omiyabonsai.html

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

http://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp/en/

Seikouen

Hours: 9 am ‒ 6 pm (last entry is 5 pm.) Closed on Thursday

http://www.seikouen.cc/company.html#access

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