Spring Rose Festival 2020 at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

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 the Spring Rose Festival at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens felt like such a gift. 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.

A photographer’s 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 dearly. There is nothing better than the simple pleasure of being outdoors, surrounded by the fragrant scent of blooming flowers.

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.

That is the problem. 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 and 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.

A lasting symbol of hope

My visit to Spring Rose Festival 2020 was a reminder that even in challenging times, we can find some enjoyment. The Kyu-Furukawa Garden, a stunning piece of England in the heart of Tokyo, felt like an oasis of hope. If you’d like to learn more about its fascinating history and design by Josiah Conder, read my full guide to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.

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 official 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