JAPAN TRIP PART 1 [OMIYA BONSAI VILLAGE]

[MACH5]

Did you have a particular favorite maple that you got to see, M5?

Thumbless it is impossible to answer this I am afraid. Way, way too many to count. But I will say this, Mr. Takeyama had the best ones in my opinion. The way he handles deciduous is second to none. He simply has a passion for maples and deciduous in general. He is the Bill V. of Japan LOL!!

 

[MACH5]

I saw those marks and my jaw dropped. Did you have to pay a duty on the way back into the U.S.?

I did not.

 

[rockm]

FWIW, I posted this link to the Omiya bonsai museum separately a few days ago. It could fill in what they wouldn't allow you to take photos of.
http://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp/en/collection/

 

[MACH5]

FWIW, I posted this link to the Omiya bonsai museum separately a few days ago. It could fill in what they wouldn't allow you to take photos of.
http://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp/en/collection/

Thank you! Yes they were very strict about photo taking even outside which was a shame. I could have sneaked a few when I was viewing the indoor displays but I wanted to be respectful.

 

[Breeze46]

Thanks for a great visual tour of Omiya. As luck would have it I am in the process of planning a trip to Japan in May of 2016, and a trip to Omiya is top on my bucket list. As an avid photographer I am looking forward to shooting as much as I can, but I have read that photography is not allowed in many locations. Did you have to get special permission to shoot at the nurseries that you have images for? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MACH5]

Breeze that's very exciting! A trip to Japan is always an great proposition! I am not sure as to their individual policies on photography. What did help me greatly is that I was part of Bill Valavanis' Japan tour which he conducts annually. He has long standing relationships with many of the bonsai folks in Omiya and Japan in general, so I was able to take photos in many of these places and in areas that would normally be closed to the general public. I highly doubt I would have been able to do the same, or as much, in at least some of these nurseries had I been by myself.

 

[coh]

Somehow I missed this thread until this morning! Wow, Sergio, thanks for taking the time to document your trip so thoroughly. I feel almost like I was there with you. Looking forward to day 2.

Chris

 

[Breeze46]

Breeze that's very exciting! A trip to Japan is always an great proposition! I am not sure as to their individual policies on photography. What did help me greatly is that I was part of Bill Valavanis' Japan tour which he conducts annually. He has long standing relationships with many of the bonsai folks in Omiya and Japan in general, so I was able to take photos in many of these places and in areas that would normally be closed to the general public. I highly doubt I would have been able to do the same, or as much, in at least some of these nurseries had I been by myself.

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. I wonder if hiring a guide might be a good idea.

 

[MACH5]

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. I wonder if hiring a guide might be a good idea.

Sure that might be very wise. I am sure there are several but here is one.

http://www.j-bonsai.com/page/4

 

[Crash607]

A large selection of pots were also available at very reasonable prices.






And inside, there were many high end suiseki and Chinese pottery.

I'd like to hear more about your experience with shopping/pricing in Omiya. The prices of these pots seems incredibly reasonable!

Is this common, or was this shop particularly well priced?

Any recommendations for places that had the best prices? Or even places that price gouge and should be avoided?

Thank you!

 

[Hartinez]

I'd like to hear more about your experience with shopping/pricing in Omiya. The prices of these pots seems incredibly reasonable!

Is this common, or was this shop particularly well priced?

Any recommendations for places that had the best prices? Or even places that price gouge and should be avoided?

Thank you!

Sergio is going to give excellent advice regardless. But keep in mind this post is 9 years old and I imagine things have changed considerable in that time.

 

[Crash607]

Sergio is going to give excellent advice regardless. But keep in mind this post is 9 years old and I imagine things have changed considerable in that time.

Yes, hopefully it's ok that dug up this super old thread