The Grand Bonsai Festival in Omiya Bonsai Village, Saitama, Japan starts tomorrow!

[pwb]

It's 9 pm in Japan, now. Going to turn in a little early because when I wake up, I'm going to the opening day of the Grand Bonsai Festival in Omiya Bonsai Village. It's an hour-and-a-half by train from my home in Nishitokyo. I'll be sure to post some pics when I get back! Stay tuned!

Grand Bonsai Festival, Omiya
Omiya Bonsai Village

 

[Colorado]

Sounds like a great time!

 

[yashu]

In for pictures!

 

[Perplexody]

What a dream place to be, bonsai village

 

[pwb]

Wow, today was great! But I want to go back on Friday to see more. I spent most of the morning at the bonsai museum and then walked around some of the different bonsai gardens and street vendors in the afternoon. I don't have a lot of money to spend this month, but I identified a few things I want and, if they're still there on Friday, that means I'm meant to buy them . It was difficult to take photos today. Many places didn't allow photos. But I did take some, and I'll take some more on Friday. In the meantime, check out this video shot today by Bonsai Q:

2023 Omiya Bonsai Festival -- Bonsai Q

 

[RJG2]

Wow, today was great! But I want to go back on Friday to see more. I spent most of the morning at the bonsai museum and then walked around some of the different bonsai gardens and street vendors in the afternoon. I don't have a lot of money to spend this month, but I identified a few things I want and, if they're still there on Friday, that means I'm meant to buy them . It was difficult to take photos today. Many places didn't allow photos. But I did take some, and I'll take some more on Friday. In the meantime, check out this video shot today by Bonsai Q:

2023 Omiya Bonsai Festival -- Bonsai Q

If you buy me a bonsai Q apron, I'll pay you cost+shipping+$20!

 

[rockm]

Wow...

 

[yashu]

If you buy me a bonsai Q apron, I'll pay you cost+shipping+$20!

Oh heck yeah!!! I’d do that if @pwb is willing. I’ll even slick my hair back, put on a big mask and pose with the apron like Hiruma… and post pics here!

 

[RJG2]

If you buy me a bonsai Q apron, I'll pay you cost+shipping+$20!

I'm serious about this! I've been thinking about reaching out to some other members here that live in Japan to bribe them.

And @yashu lives close enough, you could ship them to just one of us.

 

[pwb]

Tomorrow I will return to the bonsai festival. I'll try to be a better photographer, and I'll see if the things I wanted to buy are still available (fingers crossed).

As for those who want Bonsai-Q aprons—private message me and I'll see what I can do. Remember, we're 12 hours or so ahead, so my responses might seem slow. I'm sure I will be able to buy them even after the festival is over. It'll be a nice excuse to return to bonsai village.

In the meantime, here's another video from Kimi's Bonsai on YouTube:
大盆栽まつり＠大宮／Omiya Bonsai Festival

 

[RJG2]

From the first video, if you didn't make it all the way through...

 

[Pepibom]

I was there and had a ton of fun! Missed those aprons and took roll I wanted though!!

Btw I think the mascot is a hippo with a carbuncular bonsai growing out of his snout.

 

[jradics]

From the first video, if you didn't make it all the way through...

View attachment 486026

View attachment 486027

these are NOT the pictures we were waiting for.

 

[Pepibom]

Here’s a few pics.
Pots? You want pots they got’em. Lots and lots of small pots to choose from. Larger and or shohin pots were fewer in between and a bit pricier of course. That one little green pot I really wanted but it was about $230. A tad over what I wanted to spend.

 

[Pepibom]

Of course trees. So many trees…so many small carry-on bag sized trees!!! I didn’t do it in case you were wondering.
A bunch of beautiful chunky azaleas. A large group of junipers designed by the local middle school (some were pretty good) trees everywhere it’s tough to capture on “film”- it is somewhat overwhelming

 

[pwb]

Here are some pix! It will only let me attach 16 at. time, so more to follow.

 

[pwb]

A few more...

 

[pwb]

The last bit. I was so overwhelmed by everything that I really didn't take good pix. But next year...!

 

[yashu]

Looks like so much fun. I hope I can one day make it to that festival. I think I’d prefer that to something like Kokufu-ten or Taikan-ten. The less formal, festival atmosphere appeals to me. Thanks for all the photos!

 

[Pepibom]

Looks like so much fun. I hope I can one day make it to that festival. I think I’d prefer that to something like Kokufu-ten or Taikan-ten. The less formal, festival atmosphere appeals to me. Thanks for all the photos!

I was at Taikan-ten last year and it was great. In Kyoto during the fall, top notch trees amazing vendors space and Kyoto right out the door.
Tokyo in February is pretty chilly )