Have you ever wanted to explore the bonsai and Japanese garden world of Japan in a small limited group? Well, here is your opportunity. In November Kora Dalager, travel agent and bonsai instructor from California and I will be leading another one of our popular bonsai tours to Japan. Bonsai gardens and studios of some of the finest bonsai artists in Japan will be privately visited.

Maple leaves in Kyoto.

Our tour will first begin in the Tokyo area where we will visit Mr. Kimura’s studio, the new Omiya Bonsai Art Museum and Omiya Bonsai Village. Many of the world’s best bonsai originated or were refined in this small bonsai village of six gardens. Bonsai of all species, sizes and styles can be seen and studied in beautiful garden settings in their autumn glory.

Masahiko Kimura’s studio.

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Mansei-en Bonsai Garden- Hatsuji Kato.

Fuyo-en Bonsai…

The 2014 88^th KOKUFU BONSAI EXHIBITION

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Gallery, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

 Part 1: February 4-7, 2014

Part 2: February 9-12, 2014

The Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, now sponsored by the Nippon Bonsai Association, is the premier bonsai exhibition in Japan, and the world. Hobbyists try quite hard, often for years to have their trees accepted for this judged event where only bonsai of the highest quality are displayed eligible for the coveted Kokufu Sho Prizes.

Japanese back pine

Japanese maple

Camellia, Kokufu sho Prize

Sargent juniper, displayed by American Doug Paul

An annual book is published after the exhibition featuring every bonsai in the show which make for excellent study of form, species and more importantly the current trends of the Japanese bonsai world.

No. 1 Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, March 1934

No. 1 Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, March 1934

The first Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition was held in March…