Traditional horticulture and Bonsai Town – Angyo in Kawaguchi City
Are you interested in Japanese-style gardening or bonsai?
If so, you should visit the Ryokka Greening Center in Angyo. It’s a great spot to find all kinds of plants, from garden trees and seasonal flowers to bonsai pots.
The historic town of Japanese-style gardening
The northern outskirts of Tokyo are home to several Japanese gardening towns, such as Omiya, which is famous for its Bonsai Village. But you shouldn’t miss Angyo in Kawaguchi City, a town with a long tradition of Japanese gardening. Since Ina Tadaharu, a samurai local governor in the Edo period, encouraged horticultural business in Angyo, it has led Japan's gardening industry for over 400 years.
How did Angyo become a town with leading plant production?
Angyo’s plateau, 15 to 20 meters above sea level, offers ideal conditions for growing many tree species. Its proximity to Tokyo made it a key supplier of ornamental plants. Also, expert growers came together and developed their gardening business, which became the Angyo brand.
Applying root coverings requires special techniques. Expert growers in Angyo have the skills needed for this.
Bonsai is also a core part of Angyo’s Gardening Culture
Angyo’s growers have developed their bonsai skills over many years. They use grafting techniques from fruit tree production to create aged pine trees and other types, as well as small bonsai of fruiting plants like dwarf apples. Besides making classic bonsai, they also offer a wide variety for Bonsai lovers to enjoy as home decorations.
Bonsai by expert growers
Want garden inspiration or bonsai? The Greening Center in Angyo has it all.
If you want to have trees and shrubs grown with traditional methods by skilled growers, visit the Kawaguchi Ryokka Center (Kawaguchi Greening Center 川口緑化センター) in Angyo. The center promotes greening projects and offers over 500 different plant displays, sales, and gardening advice. On its 2,000-square-meter grounds, you’ll find local specialty trees, plants, and flowers, and gardening supplies.
Kawaguchi Ryokka (Greening) Center in Angyo, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture
Next to the Center is a roadside station called Michi-no-Eki Julian, where you can buy fresh seedlings, vegetables, and fruits. On some weekends, you’ll find events like flower arrangement shows, gardening workshops, and food trucks. While there isn’t language support, it’s still a great spot for anyone who loves gardening.
Lovely mini-bonsai created by Angyo growers are sold at the Kawaguchi Ryokka Center, all of them at very reasonable prices. I was excited to see the prices, but I didn't buy one as I was there by bike and concerned about the bumpy way back home. Instead, I got a basil pot. I enjoy the leaves at breakfast every morning.
Writer: Ni
Getting to Angyo from Tokyo by train
The Kawaguchi Ryokka Center is reachable from Tozuka-angyo Station 戸塚安行駅 on the Saitama Railway Line.
Thankfully, the Saitama Railway Line connects to the Tokyo Metro Nanboku Subway Line 南北線, and Tozuka-angyo Station is accessible directly from central Tokyo.
One thing to know is that it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Ryokka Center from Tozuka-angyo Station (Exit 1).
An option to avoid the long walk is to take a bus from JR Kawaguchi Station (East Exit) on the Keihin-tohoku Line. Take the Kokusai Kogyo Bus No. 12 bound for Angyo Dewa 安行出羽行 and get off at the Kawaguchi Ryokka Center stop 川口緑化センターバス停. (About 25 to 35 min ride)
Getting there by bicycle
If you go to the Ryokka Center by bicycle, remember the roads around there are quite busy and narrow. Try taking a better route, like the road under the expressways, even if it's a longer way.
Getting there by car
The Kawaguchi Ryokka Center has a parking lot with 76 spaces.
Kawaguchi Ryokka Center
844-2 Ryoke Angyo Kawaguchi-shi Saitama Prefecture
Open from 9:00 to17:00
Closed on Mondays (also Tuesday, if Monday falls on a National Holiday), and Inspection days in February and July
https://www.jurian.or.jp/
Google Maps: Kawaguchi Ryokka Center>
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8KLnXZ3f67pTa5n47
