Japanese Irises and Kimonos at Ninomaru Garden
Imagine a serene garden in the heart of Tokyo, where deep purple irises stand like royalty, their elegance matched only by the graceful figures in traditional kimonos passing by. This was the scene that greeted me at Ninomaru Garden, a corner of the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
Exploring the East Gardens’s Ninomaru Garden
Ninomaru Garden itself is a lovely, tranquil space. As part of the Imperial Palace East Gardens, admission is free. Inside, you’ll find trees from every prefecture in Japan, a serene pond with gliding carp, and seasonal flowers like azaleas and sunflowers. But on this particular afternoon, my focus was on the irises.
Photographing Japanese irises in bloom
The Japanese irises, with their velvety, deep purple petals, were particularly striking. They stood tall and elegant, their vibrant color a perfect subject against the bright, overcast sky, absorbing the light with little glare.
I went to Horikiri Shobuen to see them earlier in the morning. That left me wanting to see more, so I went to the East Gardens. I knew its Ninomaru Garden had them. There aren’t many, but the display is excellent. The shogun might have once looked at them!
Capturing kimonos in a Japanese garden setting
Just as I was absorbed in photographing the irises, a group of visitors in elegant kimonos appeared. Their presence added a timeless grace to the garden.
The soft blues and purples of their attire perfectly mirrored the hues of the flowers, creating a scene straight out of a classic Japanese painting. They were there for only a short time, but their presence was a photographic highlight of the afternoon.
All good things come to an end. That group soon left. With the threat of rain and me with no umbrella, I departed too. I don’t mind getting wet, but I didn’t want to take chances with my camera, which is only water-resistant. It’s not waterproof.
Visitor information for Ninomaru Garden
Located in the heart of the city, Ninomaru Garden is the perfect free retreat for any flower lover. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit:
- Location: In the Imperial Palace East Garden, Chiyoda City, Tokyo.
- Access: A short walk from multiple stations. The closest subway gates are:
- Otemachi Station (Exit C13a) – 5-minute walk
- Takebashi Station (Exit 1a) – 5-minute walk
- Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (entry until 4:30 p.m.). Hours can vary slightly by season, so it’s always best to check the official website.
- Closing Days: The garden is closed on Mondays, Fridays, and during the New Year period (Dec 28 – Jan 3). If a national holiday falls on a Monday, the garden will be closed on the following Tuesday instead.
- Admission: Free of charge.
- You can find the most up-to-date information on the official Imperial Household Agency website.
- For more information look at [Imperial Palace East Gardens].
Is the Ninomaru worth visiting?
Absolutely. Things don’t get much better than an imperial garden right in the heart of Tokyo filled with Japanese irises. And you have more to see and photograph in the East Gardens. Flower photographers will love it.
I was lucky in that some elegant people in kimonos decided to visit the same as me. Hopefully, you will see them when you visit, too.
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lenses:
- Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
- Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
Date of Photos: 5 June 2022
