Yakuo-in Temple is a famous place in Tokyo for peonies (in April). The original flowers were brought from the Hasedera Temple in Nara Prefecture. However, if you go around to the graveyard at the back of the temple in April you will find loads of wisteria as well.

The address is 4-8-2 Shimo-Ochiai and the flowers are usually at their best between April 10 and May 1. Yakuoin is a five-minute walk from Shimo-Ochiai Station on the Seibu-Shinjuku Line or a 10-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station.

Posted on August 2nd, 2012 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, flower lovers guide to tokyo, takadanobaba. Comments Off on Wisteria (藤 or fuji)

If you happen to be in Tokyo this month, head on over to Horikiri Shobuen (堀切菖蒲園) for the annual iris festival. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds or on a weekend for possible performances and other activities.

Posted on June 10th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: flower lovers guide to tokyo. Comments Off on Iris month

Not too far from the Musashi Koganei Station (武蔵小金井駅) near Kodaira City (小平市) on the western side of Tokyo you can find the Buddhist Temple known as Kaiganji (海岸寺). There you will see these water lilies. I suppose they could be lotus, but I think lotus are above, rather than on, the water.

Posted on April 20th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, flower lovers guide to tokyo, koganei, lanterns. Comments Off on Buddhist Water Lilies

As promised yesterday, here is a taste of a bamboo grove not far from central Tokyo.

Posted on February 25th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: bamboo, flower lovers guide to tokyo. Comments: 1

This crazy-looking, 300-year old plum tree wasn’t in full bloom when we visited it two years ago today. Other trees were more loaded with plum blossoms on this day so if you are in or near Tokyo during the next week Keio Mogusaen is a great place to visit.

If plum blossoms aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy the bamboo. I’ll show you a photo of the bamboo at Keio Mogusaen tomorrow.

Posted on February 24th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: flower lovers guide to tokyo, ume. Comments Off on Two years ago @ Keio Mogusaen (京王百草園)