For most people, 2020 was a bad year. For photographers like me, cancelled events and empty streets filled Tokyo which was a disaster.
That’s why I was so happy that the Spring Rose Festival at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens went on. In a year of so much gray, these flowers were a much-needed splash of color and a reminder of the simple joys that nature can provide.
Photography stress relief during the 2020 pandemic
True to form, I arrived at the garden a little early. With rain in the forecast, I was anxious to capture the roses in their prime.
Due to the city shutting down because of the pandemic, I had missed this kind of photography. There is nothing better than being outdoors surrounded by beautiful flowers and their fragrant scent.
Tokyo was fortunate compared to many other parts of the world. Still, there was a sense of economic hardship and a collective need for something to lift the city’s spirits. We all needed a spark to motivate us, and I was hoping to find it here.
How to photograph flowers without a macro lens
This is a problem I’ve had for a significant amount of time as I don’t have the resources for one. Some other lenses are ahead of it, in terms of priority. But even if I did, using it at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens might be difficult. Why? For best results, I believe, a tripod and flash are necessary.
But tripods aren’t allowed in the garden during the rose festival. My alternative is to use a “ghetto” macro, a zoom lens like the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm! It’s obviously not a perfect solution, but I liked the results. I used an aperture of f/5.6 to f/8.0 and the bokeh was most pleasing.
That was definitely one of the pros of that lens, but it did have a downside of course. The minimum focus distance of 1 meter did make it unwieldy at times. Back up until it finds focus.
Kyu-Furukawa Spring Rose Festival 2020 sights & scents
Even though the roses weren’t at their peak, the shades of red, pink, and yellow were a welcome sight. The air was filled with their delicate fragrance, a sweet perfume that felt like a stark contrast to the sterile masks we had grown accustomed to.
It was comforting to see a small crowd gathered, everyone keeping their distance, yet sharing in a moment of simple, natural beauty. That week, it felt like plenty of people came to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens seeking the same thing I was. They gave us some relief from the drabness that filled the city.
Reediting the photos in 2026
In 2020, the Fujifilm Velvia and Eterna film simulations were a part of my workflow. But as I moved to Canon in 2024 I’ve decided my photos should be uniform in appearance. These days, I concentrate my efforts around the color mixer and grading.
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is more than a rose garden
The property has two gardens. It also has a teahouse and a Japanese garden with a stone lantern that is so big it will never leave the property without the help of a big crane. Some pieces of Buddhist art also decorate the grounds.
Flowers revitalised Tokyo
My visit to Spring Rose Festival 2020 was a reminder that even in challenging times, we can find some enjoyment. Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, a piece of England in the heart of Tokyo, felt like an oasis of hope.
Are you ready to see it for yourself? I’ve written [Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Photography Guide] which has all the information you need.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. What was a small moment that you enjoyed that difficult year? Share your memories in the comments below. To plan your visit there, look at the official Kyu-Furukawa Gardens website.
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lenses:
- Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
- Fujifilm XF 55-200 mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS