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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Spherical sunrise, Blue mist whispers tales of dawn— Pink sky captures dreams. 球形の夜明け、 青い霧が夜明けの物語をささやく— ピンクの空が夢をつかむ。 #elevatedviews #dawncolors #scenicjapan #viewingplatform #offbeatjapan #japan #mistymornings
Spherical sunrise, Blue mist whispers tales of dawn— Pink sky captures dreams. 球形の夜明け、 青い霧が夜明けの物語をささやく— ピンクの空が夢をつかむ。 #elevatedviews #dawncolors #scenicjapan #viewingplatform #offbeatjapan #japan #mistymornings
Petals softly glow, Under lanterns' warm embrace, Spring whispers of dreams. ---花びら光る、 灯籠の温かさ、 春の夢ささやく。 ---#SakuraMagic #CherryBlossoms #SpringInJapan #Hanami #NightBeauty #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Spotted sphere whispers, Yellow art meets azure waves, Naoshima dreams.---点の囁き 黄色と青波 直島の夢---#YayoiKusama #NaoshimaArt #ContemporaryArt #ArtIsland #offbeatjapan #japan #PolkaDotDreams
Endless blues embrace, Green whispers on ancient hills, Nature's canvas blooms. ---終わりなき青 古い丘に緑囁く 自然のキャンバス咲く ---#offbeatjapan #japan #naturephotography #serenescape #japaneselandscape #lakebiwa #foresthues #explorejapan
Moss cloaks ancient stone, Verdant whispers surround you— Nature's quiet shrine. ---苔覆う 緑の囁きに 静寂の社 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #nature #spirituality #jizo #moss #serenity #greenery
Emerald whispers, Stone monks in silent prayer, Nature's quiet hymn. ---エメラルドの囁き、 石の僧侶静かに祈る、 自然の静かな賛歌。 ---#NatureMeditation #SpiritualSerenity #MossyMonks #TempleGardens #SacredJapan #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Violet whispers, Amongst murmuring blossoms, Concrete dreams unfold. 紫のささやき、 花々のざわめきの中で、 コンクリートの夢が広がる。#HydrangeaDreams #AjisaiSeason #GardenWhispers #ConcretePath #VibrantJapan #OffbeatJapan #Japan