SPOT 6. ``Haupt Conservatory Galleries''
Enjoy the wonderful scent of the trees and flowers that fill the greenhouse

This building is the botanical garden's greenhouse. Inside, several artworks are displayed alongside trees and flowers, creating beautiful scenes.

'My Soul Blooms Forever'
'Starry Pumpkin'
You'll be captivated by the energy and resonance emanating from the artworks and plants. Another unique feature of this spot is that you can still smell the pleasant scent of the trees and flowers that fill the greenhouse, even through a mask. (I wonder how much this scent would be perceived without a mask?)


The garden set up inside the greenhouse is said to be inspired by Yayoi Kusama's painting "Alone, Buried in a Flower Garden." If you look carefully around the garden, you will notice exhibits using plants like this throughout the garden, as well as displays showcasing plants from Yayoi Kusama's hometown of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.

SPOT7. "Dancing Pumpkin"
An iconic new pumpkin appears! Be sure to take some artistic commemorative photos too

After leaving the greenhouse, the next thing I encountered was the new "Dancing Pumpkin," one of the highlights of the exhibition. Only one group at a time is allowed to get close to the work, and you have to wait in line before getting close, but this means you can enjoy the work in peace and take your time taking photos, which is sure to please many fans.

When you step directly under the pumpkin, you feel as if you're being swallowed by a giant creature.

Let's take a lunch break here!
Hudson Garden Grill, a restaurant inside the New York Botanical Garden

To coincide with the special exhibition, the eaves of the restaurant have been decorated with polka dots!
I was getting hungry, so it was time for a break. We went to Hudson Garden Grill, a restaurant inside the park.

From the front of the photo, "Senat Farms Crispy Chicken Cobb" ($22.00+Tax) and "Crispy Chicken Sandwich" ($22.00+Tax)
They were more filling than I expected! I wasn't expecting fried chicken in both, but they were so delicious I ended up eating too much. I was full and very satisfied.

For lunch, I ordered a salad and a sandwich. The restaurant's menu also has kids' and vegan options, so it seems like it would be a great place to have a break no matter who you go with! It's also comfortable to eat alone. After lunch, it's time to go back to appreciating the art!

SPOT 8. ``Infinity Mirrored Room Illusion Inside the Heart''
A new and noteworthy spot that opened this summer

※An additional fee (10 dollars) is required to enter the ``Infinity Mirrored Room.''
The eighth spot we visited was the "Infinity Mirrored Room," which opened on August 3rd. Trees are reflected in the mirrored walls, and the artwork blends naturally into the landscape.

Before entering, a staff member gave us an explanation: "Leave all your belongings outside and enter one at a time with only your mobile camera. You may feel dizzy, so please only stay for 30 seconds. If someone calls out to you, please come out immediately. And please don't shout inside."

Looking around, up and down, left and right, 30 seconds flew by! If you want to take photos, be sure to finish quickly.

After slipping through the small entrance and entering, the door was quickly closed. There, countless colorful spheres floated in an infinitely expanding space. It was a strange sensation, like they were floating. The spheres seemed to capture natural light through colored glass holes in the wall and project it onto the mirrors inside the room.

The staff member also explained that "the way the spheres look changes depending on the light throughout the day and the season." This piece stimulates curiosity, making you wonder what it would look like on a sunny day, or what it would be like if you went in after dark.

SPOT9. "Mertz Library Building Gallery"

The exhibition room is located inside the building in the background. This approach is beautiful.

This work welcomes you as soon as you enter the building.

"Life"
In addition to the work above, this indoor exhibition spot also features paintings and collages created throughout various eras, as well as sketches that Yayoi Kusama drew when she was younger.

Don't miss the museum shop!
Get limited edition souvenir goods from the Yayoi Kusama exhibition

After enjoying the exhibition, you'll want to stop by the museum shop.
At the museum shop, you can purchase artistic goods related to the ongoing Yayoi Kusama exhibition. They also carry the exhibition catalog, as well as logo T-shirts and mugs featuring the letters "NYBG (the nickname for the New York Botanical Garden)" designed in Yayoi Kusama's polka dot pattern. In addition to limited-edition items from the special exhibition, the lineup also includes familiar popular products.


Three postcards purchased by a local staff member at the museum shop ($0.90 each + tax)

《From: Staff based in New York》
We were very satisfied after a five-hour stay. Tired from walking, I dozed off on the train on the way home and was looking back at the map when I discovered one place I'd forgotten to stop by...! It seems I'd missed "Walking Piece." The exhibition runs until the end of October, so the trees will no doubt change as autumn approaches, so I think I'll go back again.


If you're staying in New York during the exhibition, be sure to stop by. The New York Botanical Garden also hosts various exhibitions and events throughout the year, so even if you can't make it during the exhibition, I recommend you visit the garden when you're able to travel freely again.


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