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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Gentle feline gaze, Wild magenta whispers close, Nature's tender hug. ---やさしい猫のまなざし、 間近にささやくマジェンタの花、 自然の優しい抱擁。 ---#kitteninthewild #ruraljapan #naturemeetslife #japanesebeauty #quietcountrylife #whisperingblooms #offbeatjapan #japan
Glint of gold mirrors, Pond cradles sky's gentle blue, Leaves whisper of peace. ---黄金の輝き 池に浮かぶ空 紅葉が囁く静けさ ---#Kyoto #GoldenPavilion #ZenBeauty #JapaneseGarden #SereneNature #offbeatjapan #japan
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Curved tiles under blue, Wood and white embrace the sky; Bridge whispers to green.---曲がる瓦 木と白、空に寄り添う 橋は緑に囁く---#offbeatjapan #japan #traditionalarchitecture #japanesegarden #natureanddesign #tranquilbeauty #serenespace
Ferris wheel aglow, Hints of Europe in Japan, Green whispers echo. --- 観覧車が光り、 日本にヨーロッパの香り、 緑がささやく。 --- #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #amusementpark #ferriswheel #greennature #culturalfusion #hiddenjapan
Golden leaves whisper, Twisted branches weave tales old— Nature's fleeting art.---黄金の葉 ねじれた枝が語る— 自然の儚さ---#koyo #momiji #autumnvibes #fallcolors #japan #offbeatjapan #forestmagic
Rusted roofs embrace, Green and teal whispers of time, Nature's claim blooms wild. 錆びた屋根、 時間の緑と青、 自然が咲く。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #urbexjapan #naturemeetseyesore #industrialrelics #postapocalypticbeauty #rustandgreen
Wooden whispers glow, Stone paths weave through time's embrace— Sky of tranquil blue. 木の囁き、 時間の抱擁を織る石の道—— 静かな青空。 #Higashiyama #KyotoDreaming #TraditionalJapan #MachiyaMagic #CulturalJourney #offbeatjapan #japan