Imagine a place where many of the world's most famous artworks are housed under one roof, preserved and safe from natural deterioration or man-made destruction. The fall of Syria's Palmyra and its ancient ruins to Islamic State militants in May makes this idea even more compelling. Fears are growing that the group will destroy those priceless remains, a UNESCO World Heritage site. more...

Unlike other museums where the works may need a little dusting from time to time, at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum every piece needs water, sun, and nourishment every day, as well as the occasional trimming, rewiring and root care. The bonsai artworks are, after all, alive. A visit to this museum of living sculptures, some of them hundreds of years old, is anything but "mini." It is a grand, expansive experience. more...