I’ve been trying to search this Sub-Reddit for notable places for niwaki/bonsai enthusiasts. I love Japanese gardens especially, and I’d like to visit multiple famous gardens if possible.
For those who’ve toured bonsai masters’ nurseries/gardens, do you usually have to make an appointment in advance? I’d love to finally meet Mr. Kimura and the like — and get their autographs perhaps :’) Unfortunately, I can’t speak Japanese, but I can be polite!
Edit: thanks so much for the suggestions everyone! I’ll be doing more research into these places 🙂
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Omiya Bonsai Village is fun to explore, it’s just north of Tokyo
Happo-en is a gorgeous garden in Tokyo [Happo-en](https://www.happo-en.com/) with a path with 500 year old bonsai, pond, tea house etc and there are often wedding photos being taken
In February-early March there is a yearly ume bonsai exhibition in Nagahama, Shiga prefecture. Not sure that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s pretty cool.
You need to go to Omiya a city outside of Tokyo. That is the Mecca of Bonsai culture in Japan. There is the fantastic Omiya Bonsai museum and the numerous nurseries there are incredible. The museum will let you film or take photos in a specific area but at the nurseries it’s not allowed.
There is a small but easily accessible garden near Mt. Takao called Takao Komagino Garden. There are only 2 dozen or so bonsai trees but all of them are impressive, ancient. The garden is free and almost never crowded, despite being a quick detour from Takao Station.
You don’t need appointments to the nurseries. It’s open for anyone to buy them and also they are babysitting some of the trees for people. At least that’s what the lady at the nursery said. I guess people keep some of their plants there for people to look after it.
Sp lol
Check out Takamatsu (on Shikoku), there’s a ton a bonsai nurseries. It’s what the area is known for. There’s even a map they made that highlights some of the prominent ones: https://bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp/en/map/garden.html
There’s [Shunkaen Bonsai Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/7nyAxDXweVFDQTu68) in Edogawa-ku near Mizue Station.