The National Bonsai Foundation wishes you a
HAPPY WORLD BONSAI DAY 2025!
Pictured above, the Yamaki Pine celebrates its 400th Anniversary this year.
“By nurturing a bonsai, we learn the essence and dignity of life.”
-Master Saburo kato
Originally started to honor Bonsai Master Saburo Kato's mission for peace through bonsai, World Bonsai Day is a cornerstone of the bonsai community. Bonsai is an opportunity to separate from the anxieties of the world – a chance for bonsai artists or admirers to collect their thoughts, practice mindfulness and find inner peace which they can then focus outward, and spread to the world.
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 2025 Proclamation for World Bonsai Day
CELEBRATE WITH US
The National Bonsai Foundation is celebrating World Bonsai Day in person this year as part of the Potomac Bonsai Association Festival (May 9 - 11), in partnership with the U.S. National Arboretum.
If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, we hope you will join us at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. Check out the full schedule on the PBA website!
Celebrating 400 Years
Yamaki Pine
This year the Yamaki Pine celebrates 400 years. Learn more about this incredible tree below.
YAMAKI PINE Weekend events
There will be a couple of events especially created to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of the Yamaki Pine. Please join us!
Tea Ceremony/ Tree Dedication
Saturday, May 10, 10:30am
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Upper Courtyard Upper Courtyard
Join U.S. National Arboretum and National Bonsai & Penjing Museum representatives and other dignitaries for a dedication ceremony to celebrate the Yamaki Pine.
Free & Open to the Public
Family Event - Story time with Author Sandra Moore
Saturday, May 10, 11am
Across from National Bonsai & Penjing Museum Exit
Join Author Sandra Moore for a book reading and visit to the Yamaki Pine, the tree that inspired her book, “The Peace Tree from Hiroshima: The Little Bonsai with a Big Story.” Stay after for a book signing and meet & greet!
Free & Open to the Public
EXPLORE THE ART OF BONSAI
Click on any of the icons below to go to that section of this page.
For those of you too far away to join us or simply wish to celebrate virtually, check out content and activities for bonsai lovers of all ages. We hope you enjoy!
Win an NBF Mug!
Win an NBF Mug!
Learn About World Bonsai Day &
Bonsai Around the World
Explore these blog entries from our Blog Archive dedicated to World Bonsai Day to learn more about the day’s history and the leaders behind it.
Explore these blog entries from our Blog Archive dedicated to bonsai around the world.
Explore Photos from Our the Collections at The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum
Photographs by Stephen Voss
Read Voss’ blog entries about photographing bonsai.
Watch Documentaries
Enjoy these short documentaries on the history of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
What better way to celebrate World Bonsai Day than by learning about the first public bonsai museum in the world?
Bonsai Fly to USA: A Gift in Honor of the American BICENTENNIAL (1975/2016)
This documentary, originally shot on 16mm film and produced by the Nippon Bonsai Foundation in 1975 in Japan, tells the story of the journey of the 53 masterpiece bonsai from Japan to the United States in honor of the American Bicentennial. These treasured bonsai gifts were to become the beginning collection of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. This film was restored and digitized by the U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai Foundation in 2016.
A Window into Nature: The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum (2016)
Enjoy this re-release of our informative documentary about the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. The documentary features interviews with former Museum Curators Jim Hughes and Jack Sustic along with former NBF Executive Director Johann Klodzen, current NBF Co-President Felix Laughlin among others.
Prepare a Bonsai-Inspired Cocktail
Enjoy this recipe created by our friends at the miXt Food Hall in Brentwood, MD
BONSAI BLOSSOM
1 oz Roku Gin (Japanese gin)
1 oz Ste Germain
1 oz lemon juice
¾ oz raspberry syrup
¾ oz cherry syrup
Combine ingredients.
Pour over ice
Top with sparking wine.
Garnish with flower/or cherry.
Family Event: Story Time with Author Sandra Moore
Saturday, May 10, 11am
Across from National Bonsai & Penjing Museum Exit
Join Author Sandra Moore for a book reading and visit to the Yamaki Pine, the tree that inspired her book, “The Peace Tree from Hiroshima: The Little Bonsai with a Big Story.” Stay after for a book signing and meet & greet!
Free & Open to the Public
Scavenger Hunt
As you find things on the list below, check it off! Have fun and try and use mindfulness as you explore.
Print out the image below (here) or save paper and simply pull it up on your phone as you head outside and explore your surroundings.
Celebrate Together with #WorldBonsaiDay2025
Be sure to join the conversation on social media by using #WorldBonsaiDay2025 and tag us in your posts!
Win an NBF Mug!
Enter your information below for a chance to win an NBF mug. Emails will be subscribed to our e-newsletter.
We will not share your email with anyone. Your email will be subscribed to our e-newsletter but you can unsubscribe at any time. If your email already exists on our list, you will not receive duplicates when you add your email now. Winners will be selected Monday, May 19 and winners will be emailed to claim their prize. Submissions will only be counted once.
Become a Bonsai Supporter
Please give today to support the world’s first and finest Bonsai museum.
The National Bonsai Foundation is honored to be a private partner with the U.S. National Arboretum to provide financial, programmatic and curatorial support to the U.S. National Arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. With your tax-deductible donation, you will help to preserve a history, protect a legacy and prepare a future for the Museum. Thank you!