Bonsai museum sees record visitors
tokyo: The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama attracted 96,001 visitors in fiscal 2017, the largest number since the museum opened in March 2010.
The 2017 figure included 6,225 foreign nationals, also the highest figure in the facility's history.
The museum drew widespread attention after it was used as one of the venues for the World Bonsai Convention in Saitama, which was held April 27-30 last year. Activities to promote the museum using social media are believed to be another factor. Visitors to the museum have been increasing every year. In fiscal 2017, the figure increased by 20,374 from the previous record, set in fiscal 2016.
Last year, the museum exhibited a 450-year-old Japanese white pine known as higurashi for the first time in six years, drawing 12,350 visitors during the convention.
In fiscal 2017, a total of 6,225 people from 82 countries and regions visited the museum, mainly from the United States, Europe and Asian nations. The largest portion, 804, came from the US, followed by 662 from Australia and 452 from China.
The number of foreign visitors to Japan has been on the rise, and a growing number of people are visiting the museum to see bonsai, now a popular element of Japanese culture around the world, according to the museum.
The museum has posted images of bonsai on Facebook and Instagram. It opened its Instagram account in December last year, and has received many “likes” and reviews from foreigners, it said.
“We want to publicise more information and improve the contents of exhibitions to attract many visitors,” an official of the museum said.
The annual Dai Bonsai Matsuri festival is being held in areas around Omiya Bonsai village, which is located near the museum.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the festival, which has been gaining popularity as a place to buy bonsai, tableware and other items.
As part of efforts to promote bonsai, the museum plans to hold a tour to explain the trees, and display about 150 bonsai raised by elementary school students in the city.
An official of the museum said, “We hope visitors will see real bonsai and appreciate their appeal.” — The Japan News/Asia News Network