It’s springtime in Japan at Bellagio’s Conservatory — PHOTOS

Bellagio's conservatory transports visitors to Japan during the current display, which continues through May 11. (Courtesy.)

A topiary turtle is part of the Japanese-themed flora on display at Bellagio's conservatory through May 11. (Courtesy)

Hand-decorated parasols hang from the ceiling in the Bellagio conservatory, where a Japanese-themed exhibit continues through May 11. (Courtesy)

Orange tulips and a wooden bridge add atmosphere to the Japanese-themed exhibit at Bellagio's conservatory through May 11. (Courtesy)

Bellagio's conservatory features a traditional tea house treehouse crafted from bamboo, part of a Japanese-themed exhibit that continues there through May 11. (Courtesy)

A floral topiary crane spreads its winds at Bellagio's new Japanese-themed conservatory exhibit. (Courtesy)

A towering cherry tree with acrylic blossoms adorns the Bellagio Conservatory's new Japanese-themed exhibit. (Courtesy)

A panoramic view of the new Japanese-themed exhibit at Bellagio's Conservatory. (Courtesy)

A journey to Japan is a lot easier — and as close as Bellagio — thanks to two new exhibits showcasing nature and art in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The first Japanese-inspired display at Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens expands the soothing surroundings of Japan’s traditional gardens with larger-than-life floral creations featuring more than 82,000 flowers.

Among the tulips, daffodils and snapdragons, traditional bonsai trees nestle among re-creations of iconic Japanese landmarks.

The West Garden features a 26-foot Japanese temple inspired by Kyoto’s Golden Temple. An 18-foot cherry blossom tree (adorned with 300 acrylic blossoms and leaves) towers over the East Garden, while 75 koi fish swim in a pond fed by a cascading 16-foot waterfall.

A pair of topiaries — one a 6-foot crane, the other a 7-foot turtle — showcase a combined 15,000 cut flowers; the floral creatures enjoy shade created by 35 hand-painted parasols suspended in midair.

Raked sand provides the setting for a traditional tea house in the South Garden; nearby, a hanging garden of wisteria and bougainvillea vines frame stone lanterns and abstract representations of Japanese icons, including Mount Fuji.

Adding to the atmosphere: musicians performing Japanese melodies on a floating platform from 4:30 to 6 p.m. daily.

On exhibit through May 11, the Japanese Garden will culminate with Golden Week, a national celebration in Japan recognizing several significant holidays including Constitution Day, Children’s Day and Greenery Day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory is free and open to the public around the clock.

Adding to the Asian ambience: a new art installation, located just outside the hotel’s main entrance, by renowned Japanese sculptor Masatoshi Izumi. Titled “A Gift From the Earth,” the installation features four distinct stone sculptures representing the four elements of wind, fire, water and land. Hand-carved from basalt over an 18-month period, each sculpture weighs between 17,000 and 27,000 pounds.

It’s Izumi’s second Las Vegas installation; his “CACTUS Life – living with Earth” has been on display at CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental since it opened in 2009.

For more stories from Carol Cling go to bestoflasvegas.com. Contact her at ccling@reviewjournal.com and follow @CarolSCling on Twitter.