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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Cranes touch the blue sky, Metallic whispers glisten, Sunlit waves below. 空にクレーンの手、 メタリックのささやき、 波は陽に輝く。#offbeatjapan #japan #industriallandscape #seasideviews #hiddenjapan #urbanexploration #industrialvibes
Ancient wood whispers, Torii guards the muted skies— Nature's solemn gate.---古木が囁く 鳥居は曇り空を守る— 自然の厳かな門 ---#torii #sacredjapan #mysticalplaces #spiritualjapan #quietbeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Ghostly white giants, Silent in crystalline frost— Winter breathes its art. ゴーストのような白い巨人 結晶の霜の中で沈黙する— 冬はその芸術を息吹く。#snowmonsters #juhyo #winterwonderland #japantravel #offbeatjapan #serenebeauty #Japan
Silent torii stands, Underneath the twilight hues— Whispers of the past.  静かな鳥居、 夕暮れの色の下で— 過去のささやき。  #offbeatjapan #japan #shinto #serenity #rurallandscape #hokkaido #sunsetcolors #spiritualjourney
Pink petals cascade, Guardians watch in silence, Spring's sacred embrace. ピンクの花びらが降り注ぎ、 静寂の中で守護神が見守る、 春の神聖な抱擁。 #sakura #springinjapan #buddhisttemple #cherryblossom #offbeatjapan #japan #zenvibes #azalea
Moss blankets the ground, Sunlight dances through the trees, Path of ancient stone. 苔の絨毯 木漏れ日の舞い 古の石道 #offbeatjapan #japan #forestwhispers #sacredwoods #ancientpath #mysticalforest #naturelover
Neon whispers glow, Crimson lanterns guide the past, Night's embrace unites.光る囁き、 真紅の提灯が導く、 夜は過去を。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbanexploration #neonnights #traditionaljapan #urbanshrine #nightphotography #contrast
Below the train's hum, Neon whispers paint the night— Cobalt dreams unfold. 電車の下で ネオンが夜を彩る— コバルトの夢。---#offbeatjapan #japan #yokochovibes #neonnights #japanesenightlife #urbanexploration #cozycorners #cobaltblue