Nezu Shrine Azaleas 2018

Every spring, Tokyo’s Nezu Shrine offers a spectacular display of azaleas. It’s a tradition known as the Bunkyo Azalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri). With over 3,000 bushes of roughly 100 different varieties, the shrine grounds become a sea of color. This annual event transforms the historic shrine into a major attraction, drawing visitors from all over. I had been apprehensive about my 2018 visit, as the weather had been relatively warm. Would the flowers bloom early? There was a chance I would get the timing wrong, like the previous year, and miss their peak. I worried needlessly. They were perfect.

Taking camera gear on a crowded Tokyo subway

I was dreading the ride on the morning train. The hillside azalea garden didn’t open until 9 a.m., which meant I could either arrive very early and wait or get there at a reasonable time but endure a crowded train. I chose the latter with some trepidation, as it involved the Marunouchi line.

Undoubtedly, the Marunouchi is one of Tokyo’s most packed subway lines. As I waited at the back of the platform, I wondered if my camera would survive the journey. I found myself wishing I had left home much earlier.

My fears, however, proved groundless. The train I boarded at Shinjuku was just starting its route, so it was empty. Everyone piled on, but we all had a little space. It was a comfortable ride with no crushing. Next was the Namboku line, which was almost empty, so my camera and bag survived!

A picture-perfect day at the shrine

Since it was a weekday, the shrine and the azalea hill weren’t overly crowded, making it easy to take pictures. The crowd was a mix of people, from the young to the old, and many were tourists from overseas. Of course, visitors also took the time to pray at the shrine.

The two lenses I brought with me proved to be a good pairing. The 16-55mm handled the wider shots, while I used the 55-200mm for pictures that needed a nice bokeh effect. This trip started me thinking about getting a 10-24mm wide-angle lens. With it, I could capture the entire grounds in a single shot.

I had zero complaints about my visit. My only mistake was not staying longer! The weather was good, a little overcast. That wasn’t a problem, as the cloud cover actually made it easier to photograph the lighter-colored flowers without harsh shadows. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Were Nezu Shrine Azaleas 2018 worth it?

Nezu Shrine azaleas 2018 were resounding success. From the surprisingly pleasant train journey to the ideal photography conditions, everything fell into place for a perfect day. It was a great reminder that sometimes, even with initial worries, things can turn out beautifully.

Date of Photos: 15 April, 2018

Photography gear used for this shoot

• Camera body: Fujifilm X-T2
• Lenses:
  • Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
  • Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

Are you ready to see the shrine for yourself? Look at [Nezu Shrine: A Photographer’s Guide to an Edo-Era Sanctuary] which has all the information you need to know.