Meiji Jingu Iris Garden

May 22nd, 2009 | By | Category: Events, Parks, Gardens & Nature, Tokyo and Vicinity

Meiji Jingu Iris Garden Tokyo JapanMeandering rows of irises, known as ayame or shoubu in Japanese, bloom each June in the garden located with the precincts of Meiji Jingu Shrine.  The vibrant purple and white of the flowers are set off beautifully by the the verdant green of the grass and trees along a creek that seems to go on forever in this rustic man-made garden in the Harajuku area of Tokyo.

Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) commissioned the garden for his wife, Empress Shoken (1850-1914) and the two are said to have spent a lot of time relaxing, fishing and even writing waka (Japanese poetry) in the garden.

Benches dot the garden’s paths and are a great way to rest your feet and take in the different and lovely views seemingly around every bend of this and most other well designed Japanese gardens.  A tea house overlooking a fishing pond and a rest pavilion where you can purchase snacks and drinks can also be found in this beautiful garden.

The Meiji Jingu Iris Garden, located within a 175 acre forested area in central Tokyo, is a lovely place for a stroll anytime of the year but is best seen when the irises are in full bloom. As you wander about you will find it hard to imagine that you are in the middle of the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.  It’s one of my favorite places in Japan!

The garden is open daily from 8AM to 5PM ( 6PM on Saturdays & Sundays) and is easily accessed from either Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line) or Tokyo Metro Meiji-Jingumae Station . Admission is Y500 for adults. (Meiji Jingu Access Map)

Image Credit:  Flicrk, crw_5646

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6 comments
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  1. Muza-chan May 22nd, 2009 3:48 pm :

    I wanted to visit this garden, but couldn’t find the time :) Maybe this year…

  2. My Favorite Place in Japan - Different Perspectives | Nihon Sun May 25th, 2009 3:02 pm :

    […] agree with Muza-chan, the Meiji Jingu Iris Garden is in the precincts of the shrine and is an oasis of calm in the bustling metropolis of […]

  3. Dancing in the Park | Japan | Shibuya246 June 20th, 2009 7:38 pm :

    […] is a nice article about the Iris Garden at Meiji Jingu at The Nihon […]

  4. tony June 21st, 2009 1:26 am :

    I plan on going there today.

  5. Iris Festivals in Japan: Horikiri Shobuen « DenisEvents June 24th, 2009 1:33 pm :

    […] For more information: Related articles in The Nihon Sun 1) Yomeiri Fune: Wedding Ships Set Sail in Japan and 2) : Meiji Jingu Iris Garden […]

  6. Meiji Jingu Walk, Japan Culture | Shibuya246 September 28th, 2009 11:21 am :

    […] is a nice article about the Iris Garden at Meiji Jingu at The Nihon […]

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