BONSAI AND JAPANESE CULTURE FESTIVAL

Bonsai Exhibition

5–14 June | Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden will showcase more than 100 bonsai from the collections of the Prague Botanical Garden and renowned growers from the Czech Republic and abroad.

Visitors can also look forward to the popular Miss Bonsai competition.

Bonsai Triennale

5–7 June | Ornamental Garden Exhibition Hall

The exhibition will include the 12th edition of the Bonsai Triennale, a prestigious international showcase rotating between the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland.

Each country may enter only 15 trees, and every grower can exhibit just a single bonsai.

As a result, Prague will welcome some of the most exceptional bonsai on the contemporary European scene.

Suiseki, Kusamono, and Bonsai Pots

13–14 June | Ornamental Garden Exhibition Hall

The second part of the exhibition will present traditional arts closely connected with bonsai culture.

Suiseki are naturally shaped stones that may resemble distant mountains, islands, waterfalls, landscapes, or animals. This art form dates back more than 2,000 years, originating in China before later flourishing in Japan.

Kusamono are arrangements of grasses and companion plants grown in small pots. They are often displayed alongside bonsai and express the atmosphere of a particular season.

Bonsai pots are an inseparable part of bonsai presentation. Their history reaches back to ancient China and is closely linked to the development of the art of growing miniature trees in containers.

Japanese Culture Festival

6–7 June and 12–14 June | Ornamental Garden

During two festival weekends, the Ornamental Garden will come alive with a programme inspired by Japanese culture. Visitors can enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, bonsai shaping demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy, ikebana, workshops, plant sales, and themed refreshments.

Getting Here

The garden is easily accessible by public transport or by car. Full transport and parking information can be found here.

The Outdoor Expositions and Exhibition Hall are open daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Admission

Admission to the exhibition and festival is included in the regular garden entry ticket and covers access to the grounds, all expositions, and most accompanying events.

Visitors purchasing an e-ticket receive a 15% discount on admission.

Annual passes and VIP tickets are valid for the event.

* Any valid student ID is accepted at the ticket office; online purchases accept ISIC only.

** Visitors with ZTP/P certification may bring one accompanying person free of charge.

*** Dogs are permitted in the Outdoor Expositions only.

ACCOMPANYING PROGRAMME

The festival programme will take place over two weekends:

Weekend of 6–7 June 2026

The first festival weekend will focus on the Bonsai Triennale, bonsai art, and traditional Japanese culture. Visitors can enjoy a tea ceremony, large-scale calligraphy, bonsai shaping demonstrations, drumming and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, and workshops.

Weekend of 13–14 June 2026

The second festival weekend will continue the bonsai exhibition with an expanded programme dedicated to suiseki, kusamono, bonsai pots, ikebana, and other Japanese techniques. The programme will also include martial arts demonstrations, workshops, and cultural performances.

The full programme of performances and activities is available for download here(Czech only).

Workshops

Throughout the festival weekends, visitors will be able to try traditional Japanese techniques and Japan-inspired creative activities without booking:

• calligraphy,
• Japanese shibori dyeing,
• painting fans and ema plaques,
• sashiko bookmark making,
• Japanese bookbinding,
• origami,
• porcelain and textile painting,
• kimono dressing and photo corner,
• the strategic board game go,
• zazen meditation,
• open taiji sessions,
• tea ceremony,

Workshop schedules vary between festival weekends. Full details, including times and locations, can be found in the downloadable weekend programmes.

Some workshops require an additional fee payable on-site, depending on the activity.

Bonsai, Plants and Japanese-Inspired Gifts

During the festival, visitors will be able to purchase bonsai trees, companion plants, ceramics, and bonsai accessories and cultivation supplies.

Available items will include classic and wired bonsai, carnivorous plants, companion plants, succulent-style bonsai and bonsai ceramics from sellers such as Markéta Aubrechtová, Pavelka, Valuch, Petr Herynek, Praus / Štryncl, Václav Novák and Klika a Kuřátková.

In addition to plants and gardening accessories, visitors will also find kimono-inspired clothing and handcrafted souvenirs with Japanese-inspired motifs.

The availability of individual vendors varies depending on the festival weekend. A full list of participating sellers can be found in the downloadable programme above.

Food & Drinks

The festival will also feature themed refreshments inspired by Japan and Asia.

Visitors can look forward to sushi, wagyu patties, Japanese soups, matcha, mochi ice cream, Japanese-style hot dogs, lemonades, onigirazu sushi sandwiches, Japanese whisky, and many more sweet and savoury specialities.

You can also relax at our Café Ornament or enjoy wine from our Troja vineyard at the St. Claire’s Wine Shop.