Ryokan Sawanoya
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[25.8 miles]
Family-run ryokan (traditional inn), providing tradition on a budget in Tokyo’s old Yanaka neighbourhood.
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Saitama, Kanto, Japan
One of Japan’s most refined, traditional art forms, the growing of ornamental dwarf trees and the creation of miniature landscapes, aka bonsai, first came to Japan from China roughly 800 years ago.
Varied in appearance and symbolism, they represent the imperfection and struggle of nature. And tending to a bonsai can be a lifetime’s pursuit.
For bonsai buffs, or to simply understand more about this fascinating tradition, a day trip north of Tokyo to the Omiya ‘Bonsai Village’ in the neighbouring city of Saitama is well worth adding to your itinerary. There are half a dozen nurseries there open to the public, as well as a dedicated bonsai museum – the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.
Just take plenty of cash if you feel like buying one – the most expensive on record, reportedly close to 800 years old, sold for more than a million dollars, and it’s not uncommon to see prices at nurseries hit the 10,000-dollar mark.
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Destination Guide >Omiya, a district within the city of neighbouring city of Saitama, is just north of Tokyo.
Getting there is quick and easy by JR trains; depending on the service, it’s 30 to 50 minutes from Tokyo and Ueno stations.
Or, if you wanted to splurge on a taste of the Bullet Train, it’s just two stops from Tokyo Station (26 mins) or one from Ueno (20 mins).
The website of the bonsai museum, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, has some background information on bonsai trees and their art forms – worth a quick read before you go.
Bonsai nurseries are open daily. The Bonsai Museum is open all year round, Friday to Wednesday. It’s closed on Thursday.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[25.8 miles]
Family-run ryokan (traditional inn), providing tradition on a budget in Tokyo’s old Yanaka neighbourhood.
Official star rating:
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[27.7 miles]
A recently-opened boutique hotel with just 6 rooms, each a unique art installation, in a convenient location in Akihabara.
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Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[28.5 miles]
The capsule hotel gets a slick reboot at this chain, offering smart sleeping pods in Shinjuku and elsewhere. Decent accommodation at very affordable prices.
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Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[29.1 miles]
A high-rise, high-end contemporary take on the traditional ryokan with a great central location.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Kanto, Japan
A dizzying mixture of old ways and modern style, crowds and calm, and arguably the best food scene on the planet.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Hakone, Kanto, Japan[93.6 miles]
This mountainous area west of Tokyo combines magical Mount Fuji views with traditional Japanese luxury – traditional ryokan inns, sublime kaiseki-ryori dinners and onsen (natural hot-spring baths).
Best for ages: 10+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Japan
Reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h, Japan’s iconic bullet train revolutionised high speed train travel when it first launched in 1964, only eclipsed in 2002 by new maglev trains. For locals, it’s a fast, convenient and safe means to travel between Japan’s major cities. For everyone else, it’s a must do.
Best for ages: 4+ | £90 | 2+ hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
The blossoms of ornamental cherry trees – Japan’s national flower – beguile and dazzle, both visitor and local alike – when the spring wave turns Japan pink.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[26.6 miles]
A collection of six excellent in one park, including the Tokyo National Museum. Also one of the city’s most popular sites for hanami in Cherry Blosssom season.
Best for ages: 6+ | Varies | 2-3 hours
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[25.7 miles]
Having avoided damage from the great quake of 1923, the bombs of World War Two and the attention of developers, this mellow, retro and rickety neighbourhood is reminiscent of ‘old Tokyo’.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[26.2 miles]
A must for anime fans, this museum out west in Mitaka is dedicated to the creations of legendary animators Studio Ghibli.
Best for ages: 13+ | £4 | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[26.6 miles]
This collection of ramshackle alleyways in Shinjuku is home to some of Tokyo’s tiniest, but most unique bars.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[28.9 miles]
The Imperial family’s current home is off-limits to visitors, but you can steal photogenic glimpses and stroll the pretty East Gardens.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 2-3 hours