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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Gray sky, rain-kissed tiles, Orange roofs glow through the mist— Green life clings to rail. ---灰色の空 雨が降る屋根の上 オレンジの輝き 緑の生命が手すりを掴む---#offbeatjapan #japan #coastalvibes #tropicalrain #stormyskies #hiddenjapan #urbanexploration
White snow whispers past, Gray corridors hold secrets, Number three stands still. ---白雪がささやく、 灰色の回廊は秘密を抱く、 数字の三が静かに佇む。 ---#HokkaidoMystery #SnowboundSecrets #WinterDecay #HiddenHokkaido #OffbeatJapan #Japan #AbandonedBeauty
Emerald hills call, Beneath the boundless blue skies, A lone horse wanders. エメラルドの丘が呼ぶ 果てしない青い空の下 一頭の馬が歩く #serenejapan #ruralbeauty #countryside #peacefulvibes #offbeatjapan #japan #hiddenparadise
Red banners whisper, Mossy stones lead to the sky— Nature's quiet shrine.  赤い旗が囁き、 苔むした石段が空へ誘う— 自然の静かな神社。 #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #shrinesofjapan #nature #serenity #japaneseforest
Emerald whispers, Water's silky dance glides free, Nature's quiet hymn. エメラルドのささやき、 水の絹の舞、静かな自然の賛歌。 #Akame48 #waterfalllove #serenejapan #mysticalforest #naturephotography #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden sun descends, Cliffs cradle emerald dreams— Nature's fierce embrace. ---黄金の陽、 崖が翡翠の夢を抱く— 自然の強き抱擁。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #sunsetviews #natureembrace #mountainbeauty #aeriallandscape #dramaticviews
Ancient roots embrace, Rugged bark whispers secrets— Green serenity. ---古代の根 ざらざらした樹皮が囁く— 緑の静寂 ---#ancienttree #mysticalforest #naturewonders #contemplationspot #sereneforest #offbeatjapan #japan
Sakura whispers, Ruby bridge spans tranquil flow, Spring's fleeting embrace. 桜のささやき、 ルビーの橋は静かな流れを渡る、 春の儚い抱擁。 #cherryblossoms #sakura #japan #traditionaljapan #tranquility #natureandarchitecture #offbeatjapan