To cultivate tree is fundamental to bonsai but display for sales promotion is also important for it. There are two spots; a spot which is easy to enter and uses intimate display like a volume seller, and another uses beautiful display like Japanese-style restaurant. We introduce these two spots in two installments.

About 20 growers exhibit together

There is a Kokubunji Bonsai Center along prefectural road 33 in Kokubunji town in Takamatsu city in Kagawa prefecture. Since it has been established in1968, it never closes except the New Year. There are always about 8000 trees such as Shohaku (trees of Pinaceae and Cupressaceae), Zoki (trees except Pinaceae and Cupressaceae), and wild grasses and trees in about 3300 square meters’ space. 28 bonsai growers of Kokubunji town exhibit and sell most of their proud trees with price tags.

Sakka Kazuhiro, director of JA Kagawa Fureai Center Kokubunji branch which manages it, says, “This is the only bonsai center which is managed by JA in Japan. Its attraction is the intimateness like a direct-from-the-farm market and the low price. We hope every visitor to enjoy the easy display.”

Effect of baby-boomers and expressway

By the influence of discount of expressway on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, visitors to Kagawa by cars from other prefecture increase in 2009.

It also occurs to this center and many people checked it on the internet. These visitors nearly always buy trees. They like the special low price of producing area and tend to order using home-delivery service.

By the baby-boomers’ retirement, there are many people having enough time and money, and it promote the popularity of bonsai and sales of Shohaku (trees of Pinaceae and Cupressaceae) bonsai which was in a little slump. The price of Shohaku (trees of Pinaceae and Cupressaceae) is higher than Zoki (trees except Pinaceae and Cupressaceae), and wild grasses and trees. So JA welcomes this tendency.

Exhibitors come there every day, and restock and change trees. Therefore visitors can talk with them in a high rate.

Sakka says, “Sales through internet is increasing. We will try to advance public relations and renewal of our website.”

（By Shigeo Hano）