A Flower Paradise in Tokyo! The Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine

Nezu Shrine and Its Famous Azaleas

Every year, Nezu Shrine welcomes spring with the Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri, or Azalea Festival, which is a large-scale, popular flower festival that attracts many visitors.

Nezu Shrine, located in eastern Tokyo, is a beautiful shrine with a rich history and a distinct, nostalgic atmosphere. It has been designated as one of Japan’s National Important Cultural Properties and is also listed as one of Tokyo’s top ten shrines.

The shrine is said to have been founded around 1,900 years ago in the first century by the legendary Prince Yamato Takeru. It was originally established in Sendagi, a neighborhood in Tokyo just north of its current location in the town of Nezu, where the shrine has been since around 1705. Both of these areas in north-eastern Tokyo are part of the Ueno-Yanaka area of the city, which flourished as a cultural center during the Meiji and Taisho periods.

In 2024, the Nezu Shrine's Azalea Festival will be held from March 30 until April 30.

There are around 3,000 azaleas plants and 100 different varieties in bloom inside the shrine's expansive grounds. Within Japan and Tokyo, it is rare for shrines to hold large-scale festivals featuring flowers and nature, making this event especially unique.

How to Reach Nezu Shrine

Nezu Shrine is in the eastern area of Tokyo and is close to the neighborhoods of Ueno-Yanaka and Asakusa, which are filled with history and numerous sightseeing spots. It is especially easy to get to Nezu Shrine if you are traveling from these areas.

You can reach Nezu Shrine by riding to Todaimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line or Nezu Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. From either station, it is a short and pleasant walk of around five to seven minutes. When you arrive at either station you can follow the crowd of pedestrians with cameras heading to the azalea festival, but there also will be signs leading you to Nezu Shrine.

Guests coming to the shrine can try some traditional Japanese food while enjoying the azaleas. During this event, there are food and refreshment stands with vendors selling traditional festival foods, including takoyaki and yakisoba. There is also rest area inside the grounds selling fresh amazake, a sweet and delicious drink made from fermented rice, and other amazake-flavored treats.

Once within the shrine grounds, visitors are greeted by a beautiful pond that reflects the bright azaleas.

Admission into Nezu Shrine is free, but it costs 500 yen to purchase a ticket to enter the azalea-covered paths.

Although guests can photograph some of the azaleas from outside the paid area, it is recommended to purchase the admission ticket to fully experience the beauty of the flowers.

Enjoying the Azaleas

With an admission ticket, visitors can leisurely stroll on the paved path that weaves in and out of the azalea "flower oasis," a spectacular and beautiful sight.

Visitors inside of the azalea area can enjoy the different varieties and breeds among the 3,000 plants and flowers in Nezu Shrine. Many of the plants have their variety labeled in Japanese by the soil.

These are yellow wax bells, which are native to Japan and eastern China.

The upper areas of the flower paths provide a beautiful view of the shrine structures amongst the azaleas, including the impressive red entrance gate.

In addition to the red entrance gate, you can also view the top of the two-storied gate, which was originally constructed in 1706. This particular gate in Nezu Shrine is also a designated important cultural asset in Japan.

This shrine is also known for its gorgeous vivid red torii gates. Part of the Nezu Shrine experience is walking on the stone path - being surrounded by the gates while the azaleas are in bloom is very peaceful and enjoyable.

Relaxing with Sweets and Paying a Visit to the Main Hall

After visitors have had their fill of flowers and photography, Nezu Shrine offers guests a relaxation station with refreshments and shade. Freshly-made amazake and amazake-flavored sweets are available for purchase. The mugs that the amazake comes in have the name of the festival painted on them, adding a special touch.

Nezu Shrine is also a spiritual power spot, so guests wanting a complete experience should be sure to stop by the main hall to view the architecture and partake in a traditional shrine visit experience.

The main hall’s elaborate architecture is designed after the famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture.

Enjoy Spring at Nezu Shrine!

The Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine is a yearly event that celebrates springtime in Tokyo with brilliant landscapes of flowers and a festive atmosphere.

Nezu Shrine allows its visitors to experience a tranquil and beautiful atmosphere within walking distance of famous sightseeing destinations, making this spot a must-see for visitors in the Tokyo area.

Nezu Shrine

1-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0031