Azalea (Tsutsuji) Flowering Early April- Early May

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Across Tokyo giant mounds of azaleas bloom, red, pink and white like tapestries of colour. Hands down best viewing is offered at the Bunkyo Azaela Festival which has been held continuously at Nezu Shrine since the Edo era.

Legend has it that Nezu Shrine was established more than 1,900 years ago by a prince named Yamatotakeru. It is known for its 300-year-old azalea garden, which spans 6,600 square meters, and features approximately 3,000 azalea plants of 100 different species. That includes rare varieties such as fuji-tsutsuji (which has tiny bean-size flowers), hanaguruma (which has pinwheel-like flowers), and karafune (black azaleas).

Besides the flowers, you can enjoy a plant fair, an antiques fair, and many outdoor stalls. Special 20-minute viewings of sanjuroku-kasen-e paintings will take place at 12:00 and 14:00. Seven of the shrine's buildings, including the main hall, are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

Website: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/ev186/index.html