Best Iris Gardens to Visit in Japan

Best Iris Gardens to Visit in Japan

With four seasons, Japan is fortunate enough to have different flowers blooming throughout the year. Summer in Japan is identical to hydrangeas, but irises are another summer flower that are identical to Japan.

Irises are usually in season from June to July, and to give you more insights into it, we have picked up some of the best iris gardens to visit in Japan!

Index : Best iris gardens to visit in Japan

1. Meiji Shrine, Tokyo
2. Yokosuka Iris Garden, Kanagawa
3. Hondoji Temple, Chiba
4. Horikiri Iris Garden, Tokyo
5. Mizumoto Park, Tokyo

1. Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

Meiji Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo, and the shrine is also known for its beautiful garden, with flowers growing in it throughout the year. One of the best seasons to visit Meiji Shrine is in the summer, when the garden is covered in irises.

There are over 1,500 irises of 150 different kinds growing in this garden, covering the ground with white and purple flowers. You can find irises here in early June, but the peak season starts from mid-June to the end of June.

The closest stations to this garden are either Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line or Meiji-Jingumae on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line or Chiyoda Line, which are just a few minutes walk to the shrine.

Back To Index

2. Yokosuka Iris Garden, Kanagawa

Yokosuka is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture is mainly known for hosting the Yokosuka Air Naval Station, and it is also home to Shobuen Iris Garden (Yokosuka Iris Garden).

There are over 140,000 irises of 412 varieties growing in this garden, and the best time to see the irises is in June. The garden has become a popular spot for photography, and many photographers visit this garden to shoot the vibrant purple and white irises every summer.

Back To Index

3. Hondoji Temple, Chiba

Hondoji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in Chiba that is known for its beautiful hydrangea and iris garden, and also heartwarming fall foliage. The garden is located in Matsudo City, Chiba, and it is just a 10-minute walk from the Kita-Kogane Station on the JR Joban Line.

The main highlight of this garden is the pond in the middle, which has over 5,000 irises covering the pond and a five-story pagoda. The best time to visit the garden for irises is in June, and the entry to the park costs 500 yen.

Back To Index

4. Horikiri Iris Garden, Tokyo

Horikiri Iris Garden is a prominent iris garden in Katsushika, Tokyo, which is also known for hosting the summer festival called Katsushika Shobu Matsuri (Katsushika Iris Festival), which is held annually in June.

The garden is also known as the oldest garden in Tokyo, and there are more than 6,000 irises of 200 different kinds. It is said that the garden was once a swamp, making its soil perfect for growing iris.

To avoid the crowds in the summer, we strongly suggest visiting the garden early in the morning.

Back To Index

5. Mizumoto Park, Tokyo

Mizumoto Park is one of the most popular spots for Iris in Katsushika, Tokyo. The park is best known for 14,000 irises and 80 kinds of irises. The park is known for hosting Katsushika Shobu Matsuri, or the Katsushika Iris Festival, along with the Horikiri Iris Garden, every year.

The park is a lovely place for a stroll, and the best time to visit the park is in early June, when the irises are in full bloom. The nearest station to this park is the Kanamachi Station, and it takes a 15-minute walk to reach the park. You can also take the bus that goes to Mizumoto Park.

Read more articles

• Five summer flowers worth traveling Japan for
• See the seasonal flowers at Nabana no Sato, a large-scale floral park in Mie
• Best cherry blossom spots in Nara

 

Back To Top