Learn bonsai care techniques and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Japan while strolling through exquisite gardens.
Just 1.5 hours from Tokyo, 1.7 hours from Osaka- Hands-on bonsai pruning and repotting experience
- Includes a memorable souvenir
Welcome to a unique cultural tour in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, where you can immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese art of bonsai. Located just 1.5 hours from Tokyo and 1.7 hours from Osaka, this accessible destination offers an unparalleled journey into Japan’s natural beauty.
During the tour, participants will enjoy hands-on bonsai pruning and repotting under the guidance of a professional bonsai artisan. The tools used, including pruning shears and tweezers, will be gifted as souvenirs for you to take home. Additionally, guests can relax by strolling through a spacious garden, experiencing a moment of serenity.
With pickup and drop-off at Hamamatsu Station, English-speaking staff will ensure you have a seamless and enriching experience. Don’t miss this special opportunity to delve into the heart of Japanese culture.
Tour Details
Bonsai Workshop
We host the “Bonsai Experience Seminar,” allowing participants to enjoy the beauty of Japan’s four seasons. Guided by a skilled bonsai artisan, participants will engage in pruning, wiring, repotting, and other activities unique to each season, offering a deep dive into Japan’s traditional culture.
- Spring
- Experience repotting and leaf thinning for pine and cypress trees (leaf thinning involves partially removing leaves from the bonsai).
- Summer
- Practice bud pinching for pine and cypress trees (trimming new buds to balance their vigor or align leaf lengths) and manage second-growth buds.
- Autumn
- Engage in pruning for pine, cypress, and deciduous trees (using tools like scissors to cut branches), removing old leaves, and repotting.
- Winter
- Learn wiring techniques, leaf thinning, and repotting for pine, cypress, and deciduous trees.
An interpreter will be present to provide English translations of the bonsai artisan’s explanations.
* The seminar content and diagram are subject to change depending on the growth conditions of the plants.
Instructor Introduction
Japanese Garden Stroll
“Hyakkeien” is a Japanese strolling garden created during the Heisei era in Hamakita Ward of Hamamatsu City, an area historically known as a “city of plants” since the Edo period.
Spanning approximately 4,000 square meters (1,200 tsubo), this expansive garden offers a serene walking experience. Admire the seasonal beauty of garden trees, stones, waterfalls, and ponds while immersing yourself in the natural elegance of Japan. Enjoy a peaceful and special moment in this tranquil setting, surrounded by the harmony of nature.
Souvenirs
You will receive the pruning shears and tweezers used during the workshop as souvenirs. These essential tools for bonsai care will allow you to continue nurturing bonsai at home after your return. Take home these special mementos, embodying the spirit of Japanese tradition.
* For safety reasons, these items cannot be carried onboard airplanes. Upon your return, you can either collect them at the airport baggage claim or arrange for separate shipping (at an additional cost).
Participation Fee
55,000 JPY per person(USD equivalent available upon request)
- Includes pruning shears and tweezers as souvenirs
- Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
- Minimum participants: 2 people
- Free of charge for children under 6 years old
Full payment in advance
Tour Details
Meeting and Dismissal Times The meeting and dismissal times at Hamamatsu Station can be adjusted flexibly to match your travel schedule. Please let us know your preferred time, and we will propose the best plan to ensure a worry-free experience.
| Activity | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting & Transit | 30 minutes | Gather at Hamamatsu Station. An interpreter will greet and guide you. Travel to the seminar venue via private railway. |
| Local Transit | 15 minutes | Take a taxi from the nearest station to the seminar venue. |
| Bonsai Lecture | 30 minutes | Learn about bonsai viewing and care techniques from a bonsai artisan. The interpreter will provide translation. |
| Bonsai Workshop | 60 minutes | Hands-on experience with bonsai pruning and repotting (seasonal variations). |
| Garden Walk | 30 minutes | Stroll through the Japanese garden “Hyakkeien.” |
| Local Transit | 15 minutes | Return to the nearest station by taxi. |
| Dismissal | 30 minutes | Travel back to Hamamatsu Station and conclude the tour. |
* The schedule and content may vary depending on the day’s circumstances.
Steps from Booking to the Tour Day
Please inform us of your preferred date and the number of participants using the inquiry form below.
After confirming the schedule of the bonsai artisan and venue, we will contact you.
Pay the tour fee to the specified PayPal account.
On the day of the tour, an interpreter will be waiting for you at the designated meeting time.
