Make Your Own Bonsai with a Professional Bonsai Artist in Tokyo

Recommended by 95% of travelers

Tokyo, Japan

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Shailraj_P ·

Jun 2025

Excellent experience. Definitely recommend it. The host was courteous, greeted and introduced himself. Talked me through the entire history of bonsai and how to care for them. I was looking to buy a few and this definitely helped make my decision. Definitely passionate about the field. Wish I had more time to spend there. Definitely worth it!

· kwanyu_y ·

Mar 2026

Best experience in beauty and education ever! Our master Panda showed us how to start our own bonsai and explained the history of bonsai. We toured the museum, which houses bonsais that are hundreds of years old. Oldest one is over 1,200 years old!! We met with master Panda’s master and he graciously autographed and chopped our bonsai books. This is a must do in Tokyo!!

Explore our promoted experiences

Special Offer

Tokyo, Kanto

5.0

(29)

4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour

Stroll & Snap：Your Private Portrait Session

from $183

Per group

Likely to Sell Out

Mt Fuji & Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo: Return by Bullet Train

Tokyo, Kanto

5.0

(23)

Mt Fuji & Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo: Return by Bullet Train

from $295

Price varies by group size

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Travelers interested in plants and flowers will enjoy this small-group bonsai-making workshop at Tokyo’s Bonsai Museum. You’ll learn all about this ancient craft from an expert bonsai artist. You’ll receive personalized attention and assistance as student numbers will be capped at six.

Learn new horticulture skills while having fun
Receive tailored instruction with the help of a translator
The two-hour lesson can fit into busy itineraries
Ideal for travelers wanting to learn more about Japanese culture

What's Included

Assistant (If you select the option)
Bonsai making lesson

Bonsai shipping fee
Transportion fee
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Shunkaen Bonsai Museum
1-chōme-29-16 Niihori, Edogawa City, Tokyo 132-0001, Japan
If you do not select assistant escorting option, please make your own way to Shunka-en Bosai Museum.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Shunkaen BONSAI Museum

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jon_S

We had a lovely time at the museum. So much so that we went a second time to take a class for bonsai creation. Their courtyard and elevated areas have a tremendous amount of fabulous bonsai including their ~1000 year old bonsai. The apprentices are there to answer questions, give classes and their stories are very unique. Master Kunio Kobayashi was there as well and it was an honor to meet him.

Reviews

4.7

based on 20 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

True Bonsai Education and Appreciation

kwanyu_y, Mar 2026

Bonsai class

Bill_N, Feb 2026

Upon arrival we had a difficult time finding out where to go for the class. 30 minutes later we found our instructor and then everything was great. The museum has amazing Bonsai!

Peaceful Bonsai Garden & Class

ANUSHA_K, Dec 2025

A peaceful and friendly place with a beautiful bonsai garden. The bonsai-making class was fantastic, and we learned a lot about the art and care of bonsais.

Wonderful Bonsai Experience

Jon_S, Nov 2025

nice experience

Jenny_M, Sep 2025

The workshop was interesting and fun. The instructor patiently answered all our questions and showed us the first steps in creating a bonsai. If you live in Japan, you can take your tree with you for a fee. The entrance fee is included in the workshop, and you can take your time to admire all the beautiful bonsai trees.

So special!!!

Angelo_K, Sep 2025

I really enjoyed it!!! Thank you so much and keep up the great work! The entire team was very kind and I could have stayed there for ages :)

Excellent experience....

Shailraj_P, Jun 2025

Absolute must do activity

Alexander_D, Apr 2025

Im already making plans to try this back home! The guides did a fantastic job of making this feel VERY accessible, and it’s such a cool experience to shape your little tree and make it feel like your own. The location itself is also gorgeous and worth the visit even without the activity, the bonsais on display there are amazing! There were kids there that were also having a great time. To be certain, you can’t easily bring the plant back on a plane with you. And I may have just missed this, but it costs an extra $20 per tree if you want to take your creation home with you. This price seems fair, but I just wasn’t expecting it. Absolutely recommend this!

Unique Japanese experience in a beautiful setting

Diana_F, Jan 2025

We enjoyed this bonsai making experience in a museum. The museum had a large number of bonsais to browse through and see. Many examples of different bonsai style are available. We learned the basics of wiring a Juniper tree to make it a bonsai. We had many misconceptions about the art form And the instructor was very patient to answer our questions. We were able to bring our trees home for a small fee. But we live in Japan. Unsure if you can take it home if you live overseas. Motor most exciting experience but definitely Japanese and worth considering

So glad we did this

Rosemary_B, Oct 2024

Wonderful, insightful and informative experience. Our guide was very personable and explained the principles of creating bonsai, helping us with our lesson. We had many questions as we toured their incredible collection and all were answered knowledgeably. A very serene first morning in Tokyo. We took a taxi to get there in order to get there without getting lost and it took about 40 minutes from Akasaka on a Saturday morning. The journey back by bus was a bit of an adventure by bus/JR/metro but all fine. So glad we did this trip.

Traditional art

Denise_K, Oct 2024

Highly recommend this experience. Location is easily accessible by train then bus or taxi every local knows where you want to go so no problem to ask for directions. An apprentice took the class and tour. He was highly knowledgeable and extremely passionate this was evident throughout the experience. We met sensei who graciously signed some moments. English and spanish is spoken. My only regret is I couldn't take my tree home to NZ due to biodiversity restrictions. There is the oldest azalea in Japan here and the grandfather tree he's approx 1500 years old. The museum is a must do and see whilst in Japan even if bonsai isn't your thing the experience can only enhance and deepen your appreciation of Japanese culture Highly recommend.

Nice time out

Saira_D, Sep 2024

Nice afternoon for time out if you want a few hours of quiet time. The tips we learned for bonsai were good and the museum has a lot of baritones of bonsai to see

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you so much for your kind review! I'm glad you had a peaceful time. Looking forward to welcoming you again in Japan!

Just special

DeeAnn_L, May 2024

It was a highlight of our trip. We came away with even a greater appreciation for this living art form. Joseph, our guy was charming and passionate and we learned so much. We had no clue of the work involved in this industry.

Great bonsai experience

Damien_K, Mar 2024

Had a great afternoon with Kunio Kobayashi and his apprentices. One of them taught me basic bonsai techniques and then guided me through the bonsai museum and served me tea. I saw so many incredible trees there and the whole tour was fantastic.