Not so polite japanese bonsai staff

[Jester]

Hi there crazy kids!!!

Well I am back from Japan and I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Overall the people were wonderful; so polite and hospitable. I will definitely go back again some day.

I did go to Omiya and visited the bonsai museum as well as a couple of nurseries near the museum. I also visited a nursery in Kyoto and Osaka. In general terms I have to say that the staff were not very hospitable; at least that's what I found. In Kyoto I said "Konitchiwa" to the staff member and they did'nt even respond. They did not want to to talk me at all even though I was the only person in the nursery. So why the standoffishness? Maybe because I was not a local they might of thought that I would not buy anything because I could'nt take it back with me so why bother striking up a conversation?
Maybe they thought that this tourist is here to steal all my mysterious bonsai secrets. (Did anyone else find this to be the case when visiting bonsai nurseries in Japan?)

Sufficed to say that I was generally disappointed with the whole bonsai part of the trip. It was the only "not so crash hot part of the trip"

Never mind

John

[kcpoole]

Never been, but will be interested to hear the other comment from those that have been.
Lovely tree tho

Ken

[squizzy]

Hi John,

I have no idea about the japan thing but I have just noticed your photo and I am sure I recognize you.

Do you happen to work at plant mark?

Sorry if I am wrong

Squizz

[Jester]

Yes I do. Who are you Squizzy? Pm Me if u like

[squizzy]

I am a landscaper and often out there so I will Introduce myself next time I see you

Squizz

[Damian Bee]

I have to disagree with the courtesy/hospitality side of things. My experience in that environment was total opposite

[Andrew F]

Sorry to hear about the hospitality. Love to see some more pics

[Joel]

Perhaps this is why?

[Jester]

Hi Joel, just so you know, the area I was in permitted photography. The sign you see pertains to another area which was fenced off(notice the small fence there). Also, in this photo, I am not actually in a nursery, I am in the bonsai museum. The brochure in my hand is a brochure from the reception area of the bonsai "museum".

John

[Webos]

Often nursery staff in Australia arent the friendliest. They've often got not time to stop. If you do stop them, they do what they have to do, then get away fast to the next job/customer. Bonsai nurseries in Japan are a business rather than a tourist attraction and they have work to do. They probably see hundreds of foreign tourists every week which gets in the way of getting their work done.

[Jester]

Fair point Webos

[bodhidharma]

I have to say i had a wonderful experience with the staff especially in Omiya. But i did buy stuff.

[Joel]

Hi Joel, just so you know, the area I was in permitted photography. The sign you see pertains to another area which was fenced off(notice the small fence there). Also, in this photo, I am not actually in a nursery, I am in the bonsai museum. The brochure in my hand is a brochure from the reception area of the bonsai "museum".

John

Hi John,

I suspected that was the case but just wanted to make sure. I know a lot of people have trouble trying to take photos over there.

Joel

[k2bonsai]

Not sure if anyone has seen this youtube video about the Omiya Village:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KFzqqRNL38