I visited an azalea festival of Nezu Shrine, which is said to be the most beautiful shrine in Tokyo. The origin of the azaleas in this garden began when the 6th Tokugawa Shogun Tokugawa Tsunashige planted 350 years ago, and now about 3,000 azaleas of 100 varieties have been planted, making it a spring tradition in Bunkyo city.

The garden created in the natural slope is wonderful, and I was able to enjoy the wonderful combination of flower colors.

The history of this garden goes back to the time when 6th Tokugawa Shogun Tokugawa Tsunashige planted azareas 350 years ago, which was the villa of Tsunashige before his appointment of the Shogun, and now about 3,000 azaleas, 100 varieties, are planted.

Azaleas have been developed as cultivars for a long time, and many beautiful varieties have been bred. Especially in the Edo period, it seems that it was popular because even people live in town who do not have a garden can enjoy it as a potted flower.

Komagome (formerly Somei Village), located to the north of Nezu Shrine, has been famous since the Edo period as a region where horticulture such as gardeners is flourishing.

Ito Ihee, a gardender and planter, published the world’s oldest specialized book on azaleas, Kinshu makura, which contains Tsutsuji azaleas (164 vaieties) and Satsuki azaleas (161 varieties) in 1692). Known for that. Somei is also famous as the area that produced the cherry blossoms Somei-yoshino.

At the bottom of Azalea hill, through the path of vermilion torii, we can visit the subsidiary Otome Inari Shrine located here.

Please also watch my YouTube video for this wonderful scene of Azarea.