Kazuya Yanagihara 
The lobby of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama City, overlooking a garden lined with bonsai trees. (©Sankei by Kazuya Yanagihara)
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After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, bonsai growers from Tokyo relocated and formed a new community in Saitama Prefecture. This marked the beginning of Omiya Bonsai Village, located in what is now Saitama City.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the village's founding, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum reopened on March 21 following a major renovation.
The museum's updated concept presents it as an art museum dedicated to bonsai. It also features historical and ethnographic exhibits related to the craft. As the world's first public bonsai museum, how has it evolved over the years? I paid a visit to find out.
Living Masterpieces
One of the renovation's highlights is the garden pond. It has been expanded from its original 70 square meters (753 sq ft) to 100 square meters (1076 sq ft). A new still-water section was added, with a bonsai placed at the tip of a small peninsula. The tree's reflection on the mirror-like surface evokes the image of Mount Fuji inverted in a lake.
Currently on display is a Japanese white pine named Seiryu ("Blue Dragon"), estimated to be around 350 years old. According to the museum, the tree's shape resembles a massive dragon coiling along the water's edge and lifting its head skyward, ready to ascend. Its reflection in the pond adds to the powerful and majestic impression.
A new water system has also been introduced. Spring water now flows in from upstream, creating the soothing sound of running water. This dynamic movement contrasts beautifully with the stillness of the mirrored section.
Modern Comforts
Because bonsai are sensitive to heat, they were previously protected with shade covers. The renovation includes a misting system around the pond, which helps reduce stress on the trees and also provides relief for visitors during hot weather.
In fiscal 2023, the museum reported about 56,000 visitors. Of those, approximately 15% were inbound tourists. Many came from countries such as the United States and Australia, a sign that bonsai has become a globally recognized cultural symbol.
Access
- About a 5-minute walk from JR Utsunomiya Line's Toro Station
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (March to October), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (November to February), closed on Thursdays
- Admission: ¥310 JPY (about $2 USD)
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Author: Kazuya Yanagihara, The Sankei Shimbun
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