After a six-year hiatus, I finally returned to the Hibiya Park Chrysanthemum Festival. The event celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. This century-old tradition of horticultural artistry, held since 1915, draws visitors from all over to witness its stunning displays. A wave of guilt washed over me as I realized my last visit was in 2019, but it was a sweet return to a beloved and free event.
Kengai, daruma, and fukusuke displays
The festival showcased an incredible variety of chrysanthemums. I marveled at the exquisite bonsai displays and the dramatic, cascading kengai style. Unique flower varieties like daruma and fukusuke were also on display, each a testament to the growers’ skill.
The missing ozukuri
However, one of my favorites was missing, or at least I couldn’t spot one during my visit: the large, domed ozukuri. These magnificent displays, where hundreds of blossoms are cultivated from a single plant, are always a highlight for me at the Shinjuku Gyoen festival. I had hoped to see one here.
Shooting through nets
My only other small complaint was the use of nets in some areas. As a photographer, having a net between my lens and the beautiful chrysanthemums was an annoyance. That made shooting them difficult, and I was unable to bring you satisfactory photos of them.
The imperial connection
Did you know the chrysanthemum is the official flower of Japan’s Imperial Household? This fact adds another layer of significance to the displays at Hibiya Park.
If you have ever attended this festival, I would love to hear about your experience. Please share your favorite displays and memories in the comments below!
Where is Hibiya Park?
Hibiya Park is conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, making it easily accessible. It’s just a short walk from the following stations:
- Kasumigaseki Station (Marunouchi, Hibiya, and Chiyoda Lines)
- Hibiya Station (Hibiya, Chiyoda, and Toei Mita Lines)
- Yurakucho Station (JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Yurakucho Lines)
There is a full article about Hibiya Park on the website, so please check it out.
Was Hibiya Park Chrysanthemum Festival 2025 worth it?
Yes, it was. It’s good to see these flower festivals in the heart of the city, especially when they are in a beautiful park like those at Hibiya. While the display area isn’t huge, it was of high quality. My only complaint was the absence of the ozukuri domes. For more information about this event, consult the official website.
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Canon EOS R5
- Lenses: Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
