Tour Bonsai Style

This style or form of art actually originated from China not Japan; it was adopted by the Japanese. The Chinese were first known to use this form of art in 700AD; they would use special techniques to dwarf trees; growing them in pots or bowls. The Chinese called this 'Pun-Sai'; they designed special bowls of china or bronze to keep the trees in.

Japan has so many different events and places to go that all revolve around the art of Bonsai in one way or another. One of these places is a village (Omiya) which is just outside Tokyo; you could catch a train from Tokyo there. This would be a great place to do a day trip to; this village is filled with many well respected Bonsai nurseries. You could see how they are grown and cultivated; there is also a Bonsai art museum here that was just built in 2010. The museum has a wonderful collection of Masterpiece Bonsai trees, as well as much insight into the history of Bonsai, along with a collection of pots, tools and culture. If you are actually interested in learning the art of Bonsai personally there are workshops, fairs and a local Bosai Festival held on May 3-5. These are a few things available to help you in learning the art of Bonsai.

The best time to go on an organized Bonsai tour is in early February to coincide with the famous Kokufu-Ten Bonsai exhibition. It is best to visit Japan in the warmer more stable seasons of spring or autumn. If you decide to go in spring try and go in late March/early April so it coincides with the Shunga-Ten (Shohin exhibition Osaka) and the lovely cherry blossoms. If you decide autumn is more suitable for you then try and go in October/early November. This is the time that the Shunga-Ten (Shohin exhibition) is in Tokyo, or in mid November you can attend the Taikan-Ten (Bonsai exhibition Kyoto).

The main Bonsai sights in Japan include the Shunkaen Bonsai museum in Tokyo, Bonsai villages Omiya and Takamatsul (Kinashi), the Kyoto based Koju-en Shohin nursery and several famous Bonsai exhibitions. If you are truly looking for a unique holiday offering a new and different experience I think the Bonsai tour would be worth considering.

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