Chrysanthemum Photography: Shinjuku Gyoen 2022

Yellow incurved chrysanthemum with curled petals against a dark, blurred background for chrysanthemum photography.

The Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival was excellent. Great weather graced the event, making it a beautiful day for chrysanthemum photography. As it was a little warm, an autumn jacket was not needed; I was happy in a T-shirt and jeans. While I wish I had more time with the flowers, I got good photos, especially of the larger plants like the superb ozukuri and ogiku.

Garden pond and trees surrounding a purple-draped floral exhibit for chrysanthemum photography.

Giant ozukuri chrysanthemum domes

Ozukuri are large domes made up of hundreds of flowers. Their branches and flowers are supported by one central trunk. The trunk must be very thick as the entire plant can measure about two meters across.

A large dome of white chrysanthemums under a purple drape for chrysanthemum photography. — *A massive ozukuri*

Pink incurved chrysanthemum with curled petals against blurred yellow and white blooms for chrysanthemum photography.

Due to their size, you might think they would be difficult to water. At the Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival, I discovered that gardeners use a simple method. They use a watercan with a two meter bamboo pipe attached. They poke them through the flowers into the base and pour the water down. I appreciated this for my chrysanthemum photography as there were no unsightly hoses visible.

Yellow spider chrysanthemum with long, spindly petals on a support disk, with blurred flowers behind.

Rows of yellow, white, and purple pompon flowers under a canopy for chrysanthemum photography. — An uwaya booth filled with ogiku

Ogiku & kengai flower displays

The ogiku chrysanthemums are also quite large flowers, but not close to the size of the ozukuri. They are known for their incurved petals which form a puffy and scaly flower. This time, I got pictures of them that were most satisfying for my chrysanthemum photography collection. The pinks were the best.

Close-up of a purple incurved chrysanthemum with thick, curled petals for chrysanthemum photography. — *Ogiku chrysanthemums*

There is another type of flower I enjoy: the kengai. These are smaller plants draped over a trellis. The effect makes it look as if they are cascading down a cliff. They are beautiful and intriguing, getting my vote for the best display at the Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival. If I am honest, they were the best in Tokyo. No other place came close to them.

Cascading red, yellow, and white flowers under a bamboo and purple fabric roof for chrysanthemum photography. — *My favorites, the kengai*

Earlier in the morning, I went to Jindai Botanical Gardens to see its flowers. As it was a weekday, it was not crowded. With fewer people, the festivals have been a pleasure. I definitely went on the right day.

Pink and yellow flower mounds in a park before a tall skyscraper under a dramatic, backlit sky.

Photography gear for this shoot

Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Flash: Godox V860II

Large domes of yellow and white blooms under a slatted wooden roof for chrysanthemum photography.

Magenta spider chrysanthemums with thin spiked petals arranged in a tiered display among yellow and white flowers.

Conclusion

Over the last couple of years, I’ve been thinking about getting a macro lens for flowers, especially chrysanthemum photography. In one way, I’m glad I haven’t got one yet. Why? At these events, it is hard to get close to the flowers. There is no chance of using a tripod. The Shinjuku Gyoen exhibit has to be done handheld. To find out more about the park, please look at my complete guide.