Mirai Class Fees

[reddog]

Mirai Bonsai has gone through many changes on their subscription and education services. I'm trying to find out approximately how much Ryan's education classes and/or workshops cost for 2026. One of the other questions I have is whether Mirai's educational itinerary changes every year. thanks

 

[Gabler]

I would ask him (or one of his employees).

 

[chicago1980]

Mirai sends out an email with class fees with upcoming schedule. Sign up for news letter

 

[reddog]

Mirai sends out an email with class fees with upcoming schedule. Sign up for news letter

Yeah, I contacted josh at mirai and he told me the same thing. He said details are released in the fall 2026 but I was just looking for an idea of what mirai's cost and agenda were recently. I didn't think it was that difficult of a question for mirai.

 

[reddog]

Mirai sends out an email with class fees with upcoming schedule. Sign up for news letter

I contacted josh at mirai and he told me the same thing. He said details are released in the fall 2026 but I was just looking for an idea of what mirai's cost and agenda were recently.

 

[leatherback]

Mirai sends out an email with class fees with upcoming schedule. Sign up for news letter

odd practice. I would expect they would plop it on the website.
Any idea why they do not do that?

 

[Potawatomi13]

I suspect that it is pretty expensive but also that this years are clear full already so new prices will be decided for next year at the latter part of this year. And to add to that that there(maybe)is a waiting list already for any vacancies that crop up.

 

[reddog]

I suspect that it is pretty expensive but also that this years are clear full already so new prices will be decided for next year at the latter part of this year. And to add to that that there(maybe)is a waiting list already for any vacancies that crop up.

I believe your suspicions are correct.

 

[SgtPilko]

Mirai's costs for trees, ceramics and in-person tuition seem to be in the order of 'If you have to ask...'

Loving the free material on Youtube (qnd lesser extent podcast) though so its all love, the trickledown is real.

 

[chicago1980]

Here is a summary for you question. It's by bullet point and I hope this adds some clarity for you and everyone. I know a handfuls of current Mirai students and they all have similar stories. Hope you can join and make the two year journey.

• Program: Mirai Advanced Concepts is a two-year, advanced bonsai education program.
• Format: Each year includes three required, three-day in-person sessions (spring, summer, fall).
• Commitment: You register for the full year, not individual classes.
• Cost:
  • $3,000 total per year
  • Paid as $1,000 per session
  • A deposit is required and is non-refundable
  • Tuition is due even if you miss a session
• Attendance: All three sessions are required for the year.
• Class size: Very small group, 6 students per session.
• Focus: Advanced, species-specific work, including yamadori, design refinement, and seasonal techniques.
• Materials: Students bring their own trees or work on Mirai stock. Tools and wire are required.
• Location: In-person at Mirai (Oregon).
• Registration process:
  • You submit a registration form
  • Mirai places students and confirms dates
  • Invoices are sent after placement (not instant checkout)

• 2026 is already closed based on the schedule and registration link in the email.
• At this point, the best option is to:
  • Join the Mirai email list
  • Watch for 2027 registration, which may open later this year or next
• The structure, pricing, or process may change for 2027, but historically it stays similar.

 

[chicago1980]

odd practice. I would expect they would plop it on the website.
Any idea why they do not do that?

I have no clear reason why they make their choice.

My only thought is they design a customer journey that has the least friction to support the desired outcome.

 

[reddog]

Here is a summary for you question. It's by bullet point and I hope this adds some clarity for you and everyone. I know a handfuls of current Mirai students and they all have similar stories. Hope you can join and make the two year journey.

• Program: Mirai Advanced Concepts is a two-year, advanced bonsai education program.
• Format: Each year includes three required, three-day in-person sessions (spring, summer, fall).
• Commitment: You register for the full year, not individual classes.
• Cost:
  • $3,000 total per year
  • Paid as $1,000 per session
  • A deposit is required and is non-refundable
  • Tuition is due even if you miss a session
• Attendance: All three sessions are required for the year.
• Class size: Very small group, 6 students per session.
• Focus: Advanced, species-specific work, including yamadori, design refinement, and seasonal techniques.
• Materials: Students bring their own trees or work on Mirai stock. Tools and wire are required.
• Location: In-person at Mirai (Oregon).
• Registration process:
  • You submit a registration form
  • Mirai places students and confirms dates
  • Invoices are sent after placement (not instant checkout)

• 2026 is already closed based on the schedule and registration link in the email.
• At this point, the best option is to:
  • Join the Mirai email list
  • Watch for 2027 registration, which may open later this year or next
• The structure, pricing, or process may change for 2027, but historically it stays similar.

Thanks...this is what I was looking for from mirai when I submitted my initial question. This wasn't that tough but mirai sees it as part of their mystique marketing...I guess?

 

[Gabler]

Thanks...this is what I was looking for from mirai when I submitted my initial question. This wasn't that tough but mirai sees it as part of their mystique marketing...I guess?

Ryan Neil does some great work, but his marketing is a big turnoff.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Any idea why they do not do that?

If someone was interested, why wouldn't they sign up for a newsletter or email for more information?

There aren't too many people able to swing 3x 3-day bonsai intensives per year, of which $3000 would just be the starting cost if you also had to pay for travel, stay in hotels, and pay for your meals. So if I were Ryan, I would tend to do the same thing... holding my cards close to my chest until someone showed interest, at which point I would have more info available. It doesn't appear that there is a lack of interest.

Some of this comes down to "how much info do I want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity or to inform my competitors about my programs"?

 

[Gabler]

... holding my cards close to my chest ...

This makes a certain amount of sense, but it doesn't inspire trust. It makes me wonder, What are you hiding?

The same thing goes for the entry fee to his nursery. I understand he's trying to deter window shoppers (at least that's what I assume), but it engenders no good will.

At the end of the day, Ryan is earning money, so it's clear his business model works to attract the types of clients he wants. It's also clear that I am not his target. I guess rich people think differently than I do.

 

[chicago1980]

That reaction makes sense, honestly. When information isn’t clear upfront, it’s easy for it to feel like something is being withheld, even if the intent is just to manage volume.

From what I’ve seen, Mirai’s model seems less about hiding and more about filtering and capacity control. Small class sizes, manual placement, limited seats, and high-touch instruction don’t scale well, so they push people toward the email list as a way to keep the inbound manageable.

Totally fair if that model doesn’t resonate — it’s not designed for everyone, and that’s okay. But I don’t think you’re wrong for wanting transparency either. Clear communication builds trust, and this is one area where they could probably do better.

One small context note: charging an entrance fee for gardens or nurseries is actually pretty common in bonsai, especially in Japan. It’s often less about exclusion and more about protecting the space, the trees, and the experience.

Appreciate you putting words to what a lot of people probably feel but don’t say out loud.

 

[Potawatomi13]

If someone was interested, why wouldn't they sign up for a newsletter or email for more information?

There aren't too many people able to swing 3x 3-day bonsai intensives per year, of which $3000 would just be the starting cost if you also had to pay for travel, stay in hotels, and pay for your meals. So if I were Ryan, I would tend to do the same thing... holding my cards close to my chest until someone showed interest, at which point I would have more info available. It doesn't appear that there is a lack of interest.

Some of this comes down to "how much info do I want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity or to inform my competitors about my programs"?

One addition. I believe I read that Ryan houses the students for the class. That may have been past tense or a faulty understanding but it makes sense for everyone to stay together to converse and compare as well as all being on the same schedule in the morning. If one has seen the rigor Ryan was subject to at Kimuras garden And consider Ryan is much gentler with his students one might understand he has necessary requirements to help insure his students are serious enough to show up and stick it out so the schooling does not go to waste. This said by one without the money or time to go there.

 

[reddog]

If someone was interested, why wouldn't they sign up for a newsletter or email for more information?

There aren't too many people able to swing 3x 3-day bonsai intensives per year, of which $3000 would just be the starting cost if you also had to pay for travel, stay in hotels, and pay for your meals. So if I were Ryan, I would tend to do the same thing... holding my cards close to my chest until someone showed interest, at which point I would have more info available. It doesn't appear that there is a lack of interest.

Some of this comes down to "how much info do I want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity or to inform my competitors about my programs"?

I completely disagree with you bn.
First of all, to answer your first question, I didn't want to wait until later this fall to obtain answers to very basic questions from josh/mirai.

Your second point, who is going to budge first. Me, who is a potential client (customer) but I want to vet out mirai if their itinerary and fees fit in my budget and education needs; or, mirai, who wants to play "hide & seek" with his marketing cards. Qualify me upfront so I'm not wasting my time and mirai is not wasting their time. Sales 101.

Third, your statement, "how much info do I (mirai) want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity or to inform my competitors about my programs"? Do you really think Ryan stays up at night worrying about his competition? He sets the bar!
"how much info do I (mirai) want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity": Have mirai post last years info once and you have satisfied a majority of inquiries. I would have been very happy with mirai's information from last year to give me an estimate. Chicago1980 provided me the information in an earlier post to give me an idea of mirai's cost and itinerary. Big thanks to him.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I completely disagree with you bn.
First of all, to answer your first question, I didn't want to wait until later this fall to obtain answers to very basic questions from josh/mirai.

Your second point, who is going to budge first. Me, who is a potential client (customer) but I want to vet out mirai if their itinerary and fees fit in my budget and education needs; or, mirai, who wants to play "hide & seek" with his marketing cards. Qualify me upfront so I'm not wasting my time and mirai is not wasting their time. Sales 101.

Third, your statement, "how much info do I (mirai) want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity or to inform my competitors about my programs"? Do you really think Ryan stays up at night worrying about his competition? He sets the bar!
"how much info do I (mirai) want to provide to satisfy idle curiosity": Have mirai post last years info once and you have satisfied a majority of inquiries. I would have been very happy with mirai's information from last year to give me an estimate. Chicago1980 provided me the information in an earlier post to give me an idea of mirai's cost and itinerary. Big thanks to him.

I appreciate your honesty... and I'm just gonna say I don't have any skin in this particular game.

However I will say that I know tons of bonsai professionals, some of whom I consider personal friends, and tons of nurserymen, etc. I don't think Ryan is going out of his way to annoy people. Since you were a potential client and interested, did you take the time to shoot out an email and say "yo, I'm interested"? If he ignored you, I would say "yes - that sucks". But otherwise?

Why the secrecy? Sounds like you have already decided Ryan isn't for you - even before you saw any prices. All this talk about "marketing cards" etc. Do something else. Go somewhere else. If I were Ryan I'd be like - "this guy didn't even reach out to me and yet he is raging about my program."

@chicago1980 isn't available right now, because, like me, he is trying to understand last night's Bears game. Good? Bad? Weird?

 

[JudyB]

I think that gatekeeping attracts a certain type of client, and presumed low inventory makes for more desire to be that client. I like it when things are transparent, but whatever works for him is what he’s going to do, and rightly so.