An Urban Sanctuary: The Authentic Bonsai Experience Location: Seikouen (Daimaru Tokyo Store, 10th Floor) Duration: 90 Minutes
Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo Station and step into a serene world of green. This 90-minute immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity to touch the spirit and culture of Bonsai without leaving the city center.
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The Highlight
Authentic Quality: Despite the central location, this is not just a tourist attraction. Provided by Seikouen, a renowned Bonsai garden, you will learn genuine techniques and history that rival any workshop in the countryside.
Exclusive Access: View valuable 100+ year-old Bonsai in a convenient indoor setting. Authentic Lineage: Learn from a nursery with over 150 years of history. Skill Acquisition: Master the correct steps of pruning, wiring, and care to keep trees healthy. Total Immersion: A "Zen" moment of concentration and achievement in the center of Tokyo.
The Experience
Your journey begins with a lecture on Seikouen’s history and the traditional principles of bonsai appreciation. You will then work with a "raw" seedling and a bonsai pot to craft your own miniature tree. Under the instructor's guidance, you will prepare the soil, perform careful pruning with specialized shears, and finish your work by applying moss to the surface. This process teaches the importance of proper care for a tree's health and provides you with the skills to continue this hobby back home.
== What You Will Do == 1. Appreciation & Lecture Begin by viewing precious Bonsai trees, some over 100 years old, displayed exclusively for this location. You will learn the history of Seikouen, the secrets of Bonsai aesthetics, and how to truly "see" the trees. This knowledge will transform how you appreciate Japanese nature.
2. Hands-on Creation Under the guidance of our instructors, you will create your own palm-sized Bonsai. Preparation: Start with a raw seedling and a pot. You will prepare the pot and soil, laying the foundation for the tree's life. Pruning & Styling: Using genuine Bonsai scissors, you will learn the fundamental philosophy of shaping a tree. It is a moment of tension and focus—facing the living tree and making deliberate cuts. Finishing: The process concludes by carefully applying moss to the soil surface, completing your miniature landscape.
3. Reflection & Photography The time spent facing a small tree in silence is a meditative experience that allows you to forget the noise of travel. Although international quarantine regulations prevent taking the living plant home, you will leave with the knowledge to start your own Bonsai journey back home, a special souvenir, and beautiful photos of your creation.
== PLANS ==
1. Essential Beginner Experience Level: Beginner Perfect for those trying Bonsai for the first time. This course is designed to be a casual, fun, and accessible introduction to the art form. You will learn the basics of how to care for these miniature trees and experience the joy of shaping them. No prior knowledge is required—just bring your curiosity!
- Recommended for: First-timers, families, and those looking for a casual cultural activity.
- Age Requirement: Participants must be 10 years or older.
- Schedule & Availability: Every Wednesday (Note: Closed on the 2nd Wednesday of each month) Start Times: 11:00 AM~/2:30 PM (14:30)~/4:30 PM (16:30)~
2. Authentic Master Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced Dive deeper into the technical and aesthetic aspects of Bonsai in this intensive workshop. Led by a professional artisan with years of industry experience, you will learn how to distinguish high-quality Bonsai and "train your eye" for true artistry.
In this unique collaborative session, participants will work together on high-value trees aged 15 to 20 years (or older). You will practice advanced pruning and wiring techniques on a single masterpiece under the direct guidance of the master. This is a rare opportunity to touch living history and learn professional techniques.
- Recommended for: Bonsai enthusiasts, those with gardening experience, and visitors seeking profound technical knowledge.
- Age Requirement: Participants must be 10 years or older.
- Schedule & Availability: Every Friday (Note: Closed on the 2nd Friday of each month) Start Times: 11:00 AM~
About Seikouen: Founded in the late Edo period, Seikouen is a historic Bonsai nursery with 5 generations of tradition, originally based in the holy land of "Omiya Bonsai Village" in Saitama. In April 2025, they opened our flagship store on the 10th floor of Daimaru Tokyo. Despite being fully indoors, they provide high-value Bonsai from our main nursery every week, ensuring you can view fresh, magnificent trees right in the heart of Tokyo.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
- French
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
Age Requirement: Participants must be 10 years or older. Supervision: Children aged 10–12 must be accompanied by a guardian. Important Note Regarding Take-Home: Please note that due to international quarantine and export regulations, participants cannot take the finished Bonsai home. Instead, we provide a special souvenir to commemorate your experience. The true value of this workshop lies in the techniques learned and the peaceful time spent engaging with Japanese culture. Materials: The specific type of tree used depends on the season and cannot be chosen in advance. Languages: Instruction is available in English and French. Safety: The workshop involves handling soil and sharp pruning shears.
Important Booking Information
Arrival: Please arrive at the venue (Seikouen, 10th Floor, Daimaru Tokyo) at least 10 minutes before the start time. Punctuality: If you are late, the session cannot be extended beyond the scheduled end time. Attire: There is no specific dress code, but we recommend wearing clothes you don't mind getting slightly dirty from soil. What to Bring: No tools or materials are required; everything is provided.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 25 hour(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 0 ~ 24 hour(s) of departure, Non-refundable (0% refund)