I want to begin my first bonsai with a sugi (japanese cedar). I tried looking for a cryptomeria japonica near me but only come up with juniper plants. Are they the same? Any tips on where to buy japonicas/japanese cedar bonsai?

Thanks in advance

Yes, it’s the same plant. But to give an answer to your question one would need to know where “me” is...

No, ok, rereading it I think I misunderstood your first question too: cryptomeria japonica is *not* a juniper...

Thanks! Sorry I should have clarified more. I live in San Diego and there are a couple nearby bonsai nurseries I'll check out, but I thought so too... I wonder why juniper shows up in google searches for cryptomeria bonsais.

I just searched for it and got this lol
Edit: What I'm trying to say is that Google is not always reliable

Yes, they are very different.

Please take a look:

Cryptomeria Japonica:


Juniperus Chinensis: