Today’s walking guide is in Omiya, Saitama. I walked from Toro station to Omiya station. There are many museums that are loved by core fans in Omiya. Today, I visited one of the museums, Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Bonsai, which is a traditional culture and a symbol of Japanese beauty, is one of Saitama’s designated traditional industries. Omiya became the city of Bonsai after the Kanto earthquake in 1923, many Bonsai artists and landscapers moved to Omiya. It is so famous that there is a place named the Bonsaicho.

There is a large window at the entrance and can view the Bonsai garden from here. The typical image of a Bonsai is that it is placed in the alcove or in the garden and blends completely with Japanese scenery. Here, there are Bonsai’s that can be especially enjoyed in each season, such as Bonsai that bloom flowers, bear fruits, and change colors. If you sit and watch the garden, you will forget the noisy city and feel relaxed.

This Bonsai is the only spot in the garden you can take pictures at. The blackish trunk and the whitish trunk are growing as one. A living trunk growing over a dead trunk expresses great vitality.

There was also a Bonsai that creates a small forest like atmosphere with many Bonsai with thin trunks. If you change the angle you look at it, it makes you feel like you are in this forest. Along with the Bonsai tree itself, the pot is also well thought out. There are various pots such as old pots with a long history or made by natural rock.

I slightly understood the charm of Bonsai that creates a calm atmosphere, and can be created by your own hands.

Next is the Hikawa Shrine. This Hikawa Shrine was the origin of the name Omiya. There are many Hikawa Shrines in Kanto but this is the head shrine. The approach to the shrine is very long and there are three Torii gates on the way and this tells that many people praised this shrine. Old shops are opened along the approach. There were many other people walking this road. The trees aligned and the sunshine that comes through the leaves was very refreshing and it is a great place to have a walk in.

When I stepped in the grounds after the third Torii gate, the relaxed atmosphere of the approach changes to a solemn atmosphere. It is truly one of Kanto region’s most famous Shrine.
The day we visited this place was the day of Shichi-Go-San so there were many small children in Kimono.
The appearance of the red bridge and the gate is powerful.

We ate Shabushabu on the way to the station for lunch. There were a lot of vegetables so it was nice and healthy.

It is not far from Omiya station from here. Today’s Omiya guide finishes here. However, there are more appealing points in Omiya such as the train museum, science museum, and the retro city. Please try visiting once.