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 ! 🎵

commentaires

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

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

Instagram

Golden skies embrace, Waves whisper secrets to cliffs— Twilight's gentle kiss. ---黄金の空 波が崖にささやく— 黄昏の優しいキス ---#sunsetmagic #coastaldreams #explorejp #serenebeauty #oceanglow #offbeatjapan #japan
White forms dance skyward, Green mountains cradle the art, Under cloud-kissed blue. 白い形空へ舞う、 緑の山が芸術を抱き、 雲にキスした青の下で。#sculptureart #japaneseart #naturemeetsart #modernsculpture #offbeatjapan #japan #travelphotography
Darkened stalls await, Whispers of daikagura, Colors in silence. 暗い屋台、 大神楽の囁き、 色の静寂。#offbeatjapan #japan #daikagura #festivalmood #moodytones #wanderlust #hiddenjapan #haiku
Stone pagoda stands, Cosmos in bloom, moon above— Tranquil whispers hum. ---石塔立つ コスモス咲き、月上に— 静寂の囁き ---#offbeatjapan #japan #explorejapan #hiddenjapan #naturephotography #pagoda #serenity #cosmosflowers
Electric rivers, Neon veins pulse through the night— Silent power flows. 電気の川 夜に脈打つネオン— 静かな力が流れる #industrialjapan #neonlights #japanbynight #technologymagic #urbanreflections #offbeatjapan #japan
Scarlet gates basking, Lanterns whisper in the night— Ancient spirits glow. 朱色の鳥居 夜に囁く灯籠 古の魂光る #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #nightmagic #kyoto #shinto #lanternlight #sacredpathway
Blue neon whispers, Winter's glow on sacred paths— Snow dreams softly fall. 青いネオン 聖なる道に舞う、 雪の夢。 #offbeatjapan #japan #neonatnight #winterinJapan #snowyscenes #japanphotos #urbanmagic
Scarlet lantern lights, Leading through nature's embrace— A temple's whisper.赤き灯火 緑に包まれて 寺の囁き#offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalpath #sacredsteps #traditionallanterns #spiritualretreat #templejourney