Horikiri Shobuen and Its Beautiful Japanese Iris Garden
Horikiri Shobuen is a beautiful Japanese iris garden. It has a festival for its flowers every year. I went to it on a boiling hot day in June 2024. Sweat covered me by the time I finished, but that was okay. I loved photographing these purple beauties. It is another great Tokyo photo spot.
What is Horikiri Shobuen?
Horikiri Shobuen is a flower park. It’s in Horikiri, which is in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward. That puts it in the city’s east, about four kilometers from Tokyo Skytree.
The park opened in Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868). Its iris garden was used as a tourist attraction even then. Utagawa Hiroshige, the ukiyo-e artist, chose it as the subject of a painting. He loved its beauty.
Today, it is still famous and just as popular. Every year in mid-June, the park displays 6,000 Japanese irises for visitors. Flower photographers need to put this place on their bucket list.
What makes Horikiri Shobuen a must-visit?
An incredible variety of flowers: The quality is stunning. The garden isn’t a few patches of purple; it’s a living library of 6,000 iris plants across 200 different varieties. You can spend hours discovering the differences in color and shape, from deep purples to pure whites.
A spacious, local atmosphere: At over 8747.87 square meters, the park never felt cramped, even during the festival. It has a relaxed, suburban charm that provides a welcome break from the intensity of central Tokyo.
Photography tips
Tip 1: Compose around the expressway
It’s rare for everything to be completely perfect. That goes for Horikiri Shobuen. The park is right next to a huge expressway, which forces you to think creatively about your compositions. For me, this challenge made finding the perfect shot even more rewarding.
Tip 2: Go in the rain
Irises are famously beautiful in the rain. The water droplets on the petals make for fantastic macro shots, and the crowds are often smaller.
Tip 3: Suggested photo gear
Here’s what I recommend based on my experience at the park:
- Tripods (with one key rule): You can bring and use your tripod in most areas of the park, which is a huge plus. However, please be aware that tripods are not allowed on the bridges. This is to ensure visitor safety and prevent traffic jams on the narrow crossings. Plan to take your stable, long-exposure shots from the pathways.
- Macro or Zoom Lenses: A dedicated macro lens is perfect for capturing the stunning, intricate details of the iris petals. If you’re like me and don’t have one, a good zoom lens works wonders for getting a tight shot. Ghetto macro baby! Your phone’s macro mode is also a great and easy option.
- Wide-Angle Lens: While the close-ups are beautiful, don’t forget a wide-angle lens. The park is spacious with sweeping fields of flowers, and a wider lens is essential to capture the scale and atmosphere of the scene.
Tip 4: A Final Composition Advantage: No Skyscrapers
There are no large skyscrapers nearby. You won’t need to worry about how to include them in your compositions.
Planning your visit
How to get there
Train Station: Horikiri-shobuen Station
Train Line: Keisei Main Line
Directions: It’s about a 10-minute walk from the station to the garden entrance.
Park address: 2-19-1 Horikiri, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Best time to visit
The festival typically runs from early to late June, but peak bloom is often in the first two weeks of that month.
Entry costs
Free
For the most up-to-date information, check the official Horikikiri Shobuen website.
A walk through the garden: Video tour
This time, I did something different. I made a video of the garden. Please enjoy.
Conclusion
Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms. This country has a wealth of flowers, and Horikiri Shobuen’s Irises are one of the best. These beautiful purple beauties should be on every photographer’s bucket list. Just be careful with the Expressway next to it! Leave questions and comments below.
Date photos and video
June 15, 2024
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
