This will be my last weekend of this Japan summer vacay so of course I want to squeeze out every bit of it. I started the day super early in Shinjuku area. Our train with @wittyzell wasn’t until 9:45AM so I had some extra time to wander around and get my steps in.
SHINJUKU CHUO PARK
I decided to walk over to Shinjuku Chuo Park because I remembered there’s a Starbucks hiding in there. Ordered my usual Hot Caramel Macchiato Venti size. That’s my panic order whenever I get analysis paralysis from too many menu choices or when the cashier doesn’t speak English LOL!
Starbucks inside the Park
Charging my Apple Watch while sipping Hot Caramel Macchiato
By 9am I was done sipping and went around exploring the park a bit more. Then I headed to meet @wittyzell at Platform 4 of the JR train. We were off to meet @itz.inno at Toro Station in Saitama Prefecture.
Going to Platform 4 Shonan-Shinjuku Line
@wittyzell is in charge of today’s itinerary so I just went with the flow. Honestly, I don’t mind going anywhere as long as it’s in Japan. Whether it’s the same spot I’ve been to three times already or some random new place, I’ll still be excited. Japan just has me wrapped around its little finger. Certified Japan fanatic right here! 😆
Lush Greens at Shinjuku Chuo Park
Shiraito Waterfalls in Shinjuku Chuo Park
Concrete jungle meets green escape.
Useful if you don't have Google Maps.
On my way to Shinjuku Station.
Underground tunnel walkway on the way to Shinjuku Station from Shinjuku Chuo Park
BONSAI ART MUSEUM
When we arrived at Toro Station, we headed straight to the Bonsai Art Museum. It’s a museum dedicated to the traditional Japanese art of bonsai. Interesting! Back in my hometown in Bohol, Philippines, we also have plenty of bonsai plants in our garden. There was a time when my mom got really into growing bonsai but definitely not in the same way the Japanese do it. I think my mom just planted some small "Balite" trees in medium sized pots and, boom, instant bonsai LOL. 😆
Anyways, here are some pictures I took, I’ll just let the captions do the storytelling:
This is the entrance to the museum.
Bicycle parking right at the entrance
Ready to explore the museum.
Ticket-fie!
The museum houses over 100+ bonsai varieties.
Oldest Bonsai estimated to be 1000 years old! 😱
I wonder how they estimate the age of these bonsai plants.
The museum is situated within the Omiya Bonsai Village.
While waiting for the others to finish exploring the museum, I noticed these clouds looking like it's about to rain.
Camouflage.
We were asked to vote for our favorite bonsai, and I chose this red maple because I love autumn.
Totally Japan aesthetic.
It’s believed that tea bags help enrich the soil with nutrients, keep pests away, and improve soil acidity
Bonsai overload! Pick your favorite:
Japanese White Pine, Goyo-matsu (200 years estimated age)
Japanese Black Pine, Kuro-matsu (250 years estimated age)
Japanese Maple, Yama-momiji (80 years estimated age)
Still a Japanese Maple, Yama-momiji (120 years estimated age)
Japanese White Pine, Goyo-matsu (350 years estimated age)
Still a Japanese White Pine, Goyo-matsu (500 years estimated age)
Japanese Black Pine, Kuro-matsu (150 years estimated age)
Ezo Spruce, Ezo-matsu (100 years estimated age)
Pokemon-themed bonsai.
If I’m not mistaken, these can be bought at Don Quijote.
Oregami-themed bonsai.
Bonsaid Beads.
BONSAI OMIYA RESTAURANT
Whew! That was a bit of a bonsai overload. And just when we thought we were done for the day, we spotted a bonsai-themed café right across the street! Naturally, our curiosity got the better of us, so we decided to have brunch and desserts there first before heading to another restaurant for our main lunch. Food is definitely our weakness 😆
Restaurant entrance.
Cute Little Bonsai Cake
Bonsai Bun
Adorable interiors with bonsai shaped into letters so clever!
On our way to the other restaurant for our main lunch, it started pouring…
Passed by the train station...
It was still pouring when we arrived at the restaurant for lunch. We were all completely soaked! Hi @itz.inno! 😁
My order for lunch. Yummm!
Interiors of the restaurant.
OMIYA WARD
Omiya Park.
For the rest of the day, we continued exploring Omiya Ward, visiting the peaceful Omiya Park and strolling through the vibrant downtown area. We couldn’t resist doing a bit of window shopping at some charming boutiques and even had some fun playing darts at Regalo. Everyone was competitive!
We ended the night with a sumptuous steak meal that was absolutely delicious, everyone gave it their seal of approval! Looking back, it was such a fun and fulfilling one-day trip. From the serene beauty of bonsai to the lively streets of Omiya. Japan never fails to amaze me, and this little getaway was a perfect reminder of why I love exploring new places. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
* All content is mine unless otherwise noted. All photos taken with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io
