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Beautiful hydrangeas at a canceled Tokyo festival
The Hydrangea Festival at Hakusan Shrine didn’t happen in 2020. It didn’t happen in 2021 either. But I went to get some pictures anyway. And I’m glad I went. Why?
Well, the festival was canceled but the flowers still bloomed! I decided to take advantage of that because I thought very few people would be at the shrine. And that turned out to be true. When I arrived mid-morning, there weren’t many there. There were only a couple of photographers and a few worshippers dropping in to pray.
But I had a great time. It was easy to get photos with almost no one there. I only had to wait for a couple of shots which wasn’t a bother. And that was only for a mother with a baby in a pram to pass through.
One thing could have been better. There should have been hydrangeas around the shrine itself. Usually, there are many in planters. But, with the cancellation of the festival, they weren’t needed. If they had, my day would have been perfect.
For this event, I took three lenses with me. In the end, I only used the XF 16-55mm f/2.8. The shrine’s grounds are compact, so I didn’t need a zoom or ultra-wide angle. I couldn’t find a reason to use anything else.
In the end, it was disappointing that coronavirus has affected Tokyo this way. To see Hakusan Shrine’s Hydrangea Festival canceled again was terrible. But, on the other hand, it was a blessing for me. I got the flowers to myself.
For that visit, the hydrangeas were in excellent condition. I have never seen them at their peak before. They were very impressive. It was a thrill to be there.
Hakusan Shrine is an excellent place for flower photography. It is easy to get to, and the hydrangeas are brilliant. You should check them out when you have the chance.
What camera gear did I use for these beautiful hydrangeas?
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
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If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. And if you have ever been to this shrine for the festival, please let us know your thoughts.