Serene Nezu Shrine with lush azalea gardens, a vibrant Japanese oasis of colorful flowers.
A serene Japanese shrine surrounded by vibrant azalea gardens in full bloom.

The Azaleas of Nezu Shrine

The biggest azaleas explosion is at Nezu Shrine : there are some 3,000 shrubs of about ten different colours, just that !

The Nezu Shrine has been established 1900 years ago close to Sentagi in Tokyo. In 1706, it was moved a few hundred meters away, to Nezu. But, in spite of its age, this lovely old temple doesn’t apparently deserve to appear in tourist guidebooks. Nevertheless, during one month, every year, all photographers from Tokyo meet there and bang their lenses against each other.

Nezu Shrine.

Now, Sakuras are all green and frustration is at its maximum level: time fled too fast, it rained too much, wind blew too strong, too much work, too many excuses anyway and BAM!, we weren’t able to take all photos we wished to. Fortunately, azaleas are coming to give us a chance to catch-up.

Nezu Shrine.

Like sakura and AKB48 posters, azaleas are planted in key places to please the walkers. But the biggest explosion of these is at Nezu Shrine : here there are some 3,000 shrubs of about ten different colours, just that ! Here we go, I will take you for a tour of the very flowery Tsutsuji Matsuri, the Azaleas Festival.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Nezu Shrine.

Too many flowers? Not enough ruins ? Colours overdose? Morbid deficiency? Tell me everything!

Article translated from French to English by Marion Varenne. If you find any mistakes, please tell us in the comments.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Scarlet bridge stands bold, Embraced by nature's colors— Water whispers by. ---赤い橋、 自然の色に抱かれて、 水がささやく。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #redbridge #seasonchange #naturelovers #tranquility #autumnineyes #hiddenbeauty
Yellow dots embrace, Blue sea whispers to calm hills— Art in nature's hug.  黄色の点、 青い海が囁く— 自然に抱かれた芸術。#YayoiKusama #Naoshima #SetoInlandSea #ContemporaryArt #ArtInNature #offbeatjapan #japan
Under starry sky, Western gates glow deep green-blue— Time's whispers linger.スターリーな夜空の下で、 西洋の門は深い緑青に輝く— 時のささやきが残る。#offbeatjapan #japan #eeriebeauty #abandonedplaces #nightphotography #forgottenhistory #urbanexploration #mysteriousjapan
Plowed field, mountains; Silent peaks watch over homes, Winter whispers close.---耕された野、山々; 静かなる峰が家々を見守る、 冬のささやき近し。---#naturejapan #ruraljapan #japanesealps #landscapephotography #serenjapan #offbeatjapan #japan
Pale petals whisper, In spring's gentle, rainy breath, Umbrella blooms fade.淡い花びら 春の穏やかな雨 傘と共に散る #sakura #cherryblossom #offbeatjapan #japan #springrain #tranquilbeauty #urbannature #ephemeralbeauty
Whispering petals, Mirror the fleeting twilight, Sakura dreams bloom. ---囁く花びら、 儚い黄昏映す、 咲く桜の夢。 ---#sakura #japanphoto #ethereal #cherryblossoms #tranquility #offbeatjapan #japan
Verdant path of green, Whispers blend with azure sky— Nature's still embrace. 緑の小道、 ささやきが空青と溶ける— 自然の抱擁。 #serenelakeside #ruraljapan #naturehaiku #landscapephotography #quietbeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Emerald steps rise, under boundless blue whispers— nature's gentle climb. エメラルドの階段が、広がる青のささやきの下で— 自然のやさしい登り。 #NaturePath #JapaneseForest #EmeraldTrail #SpiritualRetreat #MtTakao #OffbeatJapan #Japan