AusBonsai

hi folks,

Been here in Kyoto for a few days and would like to explore local nurseries nearby Kyoto. I believe there's Shoshei-en nursery but am unable to locate the address. Has anyone been there before and able to assist with direction or address?

Cheers,
Hal.

Hal wrote:hi folks,

Been here in Kyoto for a few days and would like to explore local nurseries nearby Kyoto. I believe there's Shoshei-en nursery but am unable to locate the address. Has anyone been there before and able to assist with direction or address?

Cheers,


Hal.

Hi , address below for Koju-en nursery specialising in mini bonsai. It is a comfortable walk from Kyoto Railway station or bus or Taxi. I walked there last year with an 80 year old friend without too much drama. Find on Google maps for directions.

19 Karahashi Isonochō Minami-ku Kyōto-shi Kyōto-fu 601-8462 Japan

Grant

Koju-en is definitely worth a visit, easy 10 minute walk from Kyoto station just around the corner from Toji temple which is worth a visit while you are in the area

Hi Hal

Well worth the visit, I did it earlier this year, before we started on Bjorns tour.

Its on the eastern side of the railway line and head south. The signs aren't big nor is the nursery but because the trees are shohin and minis, there's lots to see.

regards
Paul C

Thanks for the tips guys.....had an opportunity to drop by Koju-en earlier today. This place is inspiring, there are so many magnificent specimens that I wish I could bring back home. Was lucky to meet the nursery owner Mr. Masumi and his senior who was happy to show his pride vintage mini bonsai pots collection - if only my wallet was fat enough to take one home!!

Tomorrow is a day at down south Tokoname - more pots to explore.

Well, that was a fantastic day at Tokoname. This is the place worth a visit if you're into Japanese pottery especially tea or bonsai pots. There are plenty of info from the internet so worth doing some reading prior to visiting this place. We did the pottery path and visited the Ceramic Hall where we were lucky to pickup a few nice pots.

Oh, that we eventually found the address of Shoshei-en bonsai nursery. This place is not that well-known comparing to Koju-en and despite its hard-to-find address (even on Google maps) it's definitely a highlight of our trip so far in Kyoto. We met the owner Mr Omizo Yousuke and his wife who were so nice to talk to, even made some ice tea for us. After spending 4 hours at the nursery we walked out with a few vintage pots and some bonsai tools. It took us on the bike just over 1 hour from central Kyoto with some lovely hilly scenery along the way.

Here it is Shoshei-en's address in Japanese and English version:

〒607-8494 京都府京都市山科区日ノ岡堤谷町２８−１
28-1 hinooka tutumidani-cho yamashina-ku Kyoto city.

What sort of price range are the pots out of curiosity? And any issues with bringing them back? I'm assuming you just declare them and the airport officials just wave you through.

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gnichols when i picked up pots in japan (from Koju-en) i didn't even declare them and walked straight through customs without any issues at all.

TimS wrote:gnichols when i picked up pots in japan (from Koju-en) i didn't even declare them and walked straight through customs without any issues at all.

Ditto. It is only if they were, for example, covered in soil and may contain nasties that quarantine would be interested. I just gave mine a scrub in the hotel tub before packing them.

I did declare my very large and heavy stone though (even though it also got a scrub in the tub). The quarantine guy took a millisecond glance at it and said ‘fine’.

So, only if they contain dirt/detritus is it an issue.


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gnichols wrote:What sort of price range are the pots out of curiosity? And any issues with bringing them back? I'm assuming you just declare them and the airport officials just wave you through.

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Pots are priced depending on age, condition and rarity. I only looked for mini /small pots to minimise travel weight. Picked up a nice deep green Koyo medium pot (180x180mm) for $165 (AUS). Real bargains were found at Flea Market (every 21st day of month) at Toji Temple (about 20 mins walk from central Kyoto) - Most small pots are priced between $10-$20 and even bonsai tools as well can be purchased here.. (photos to upload soon)

Sorry folks for the delay but it has been hectics in the last few days with our Kyoto schedules before flying back to Oz. We were lucky to find a second flea market on 25th Sept and picked up a few more pots, wood carving tools and copper wiring which were sold around $20-$22/kg. We planned to purchase a few pots before the trip but ended up with around 120 pots (mostly small).. ...Pots were cleaned, dried and bubble-wrapped individually and even packed within our clothing for that extra layer of protection... no issues with customs at Singapore and Melbourne airports. Some photos attached.

Thanks for the photos, great stuff - and great stuff!

Watto wrote:Thanks for the photos, great stuff - and great stuff!

+1 great stuff - and great stuff!

Love some of those little mame and shohin pots.