This is a public service announcement showing ofBonsai Magazine’s support of bonsai artists.
Posted here by request of Bjorn Bjorholm.
Experience the History of Bonsai through the Gardens of Kyoto!
The art of bonsai is inextricably tied to the city of Kyoto, and more specifically to the gardens found within its ancient confines. Spend a day touring the former capital city of Japan, exploring three gardens that undoubtedly influenced the development of Japanese bonsai art. This single-day tour is designed to coincide with the annual
Taikan-ten Bonsai Exhibition held on the same weekend; therefore, individuals who may already have plans to be in Kyoto for the event can choose between November 25,th 26,th or 27,th 2011 to suit their personal schedules. Guide Bjorn Bjorholm will take you through these gardens and will explain the history of each as they relate to the historical progression of bonsai. In addition, tour participants will get the rare opportunity to be entertained by traditional Kyoto Geisha in the evening. This one-day, one-price tour will include the following:
- Admission to the Heian-jingu shrine and garden.
- Admission to Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavillion, and garden.
- Admission to Nanzen-ji temple and karesansui garden.
- Full-day transportation (from morning pick-up at Miyako Messe to final evening event).
- Teishoku set lunch in beautiful Higashiyama, Kyoto.
- Tabehoudai (all-you-can-eat) delicious, fine-quality Japanese BBQ dinner in downtown Kyoto.
- Open bar at Bar Daitomo in Kyoto’s famed Pontocho Geisha District.
- Private group entertainment by a traditional Kyoto Geisha at Bar Daitomo in the evening.
The all-inclusive one-day tour is priced at 20,000yen per person. This not only includes the above-mentioned items, but also an in-depth look at the historical parallels between bonsai and the three gardens to be visited as explained by guide and professional bonsai artist Bjorn Bjorholm. In addition, the opportunity to spend an evening with a true Kyoto Geisha in Pontocho, one of the last three remaining Geisha districts in Kyoto, is indeed a rarity and a special treat. Individuals are welcome to sign-up; however, total consolidated group size per day will range from 5-10 people. Choose from Friday November 25th, Saturday November 26th, or Sunday November 27th, 2011. Contact Bjorn Bjorholm at bbjorhol@gmail.com or visit bjorvalabonsaistudio.com for other information!
As part of the tour, participants will visit three of Kyoto’s most famous gardens in the eastern Higashiyama mountain area: Hein-Jingu, Ginkaku-ji, and Nanzen-ji. Each of these gardens has a unique history, though all are undoubtedly related to the development of Japanese bonsai art. Guide Bjorn Bjorholm will provide insight as to the relationship of each to the history of bonsai within Japan from the early Hein Period (794-1185AD) to the late Momoyama Period (until 1603AD). Admission to each is included in the total price for the full day of activities.
After a full day of exploring the garden of Kyoto, participants will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy fine-quality Tabehoudai (all-you-can-eat) traditional Japanese Yakiniku BBQ, while soaking in views of the beautiful Takase river in downtown Kyoto.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment in Kyoto’s famous Pontocho area, on of the last three remaining Geisha districts in the city. A full open bar will be provided to tour participants at Bar Daitomo on Pontocho Avenue overlooking the Kamo River. Traditional Kyoto Geisha will also provide entertainment during the evening festivities. This is a rare opportunity to experience one of Kyoto’s oldest traditions, as Geisha culture is closely guarded in Japan and hiring one for an evening of entertainment requires the knowledge of necessary channels and connections.
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