Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival
The Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 chrysanthemums were awesome. Great weather graced the event. It was a beautiful day for flower photography. As always, I wished I had spent more time with them. But not to worry, I got good photos.
There were few clouds. And it was a little warm, there was no need for warmer autumn jackets. I was very happy in a T-shirt and jeans. That was enough.
The flowers impressed me. As I say most years, the best ones at Shinjuku Gyoen were the larger chrysanthemum plants. I mean the ozukuri and ogiku. Both were superb.
Ozukuri are large domes, made up of hundreds of flowers. Their branches and flowers are supported by one central trunk. It must be very thick as the entire plant can measure about two meters across.
Due to their size, you might think they would be difficult to water. At Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival, I discovered that gardeners use a simple method. They use bamboo pipes, about two meters long. They poke them through the flowers into the base and pour the water down. No problem!
The ogiku chrysanthemums are also quite large flowers, but not close to the size of the ozukuri. This time I got pictures of them that were most satisfying. The pinks were the best.
There is another type of chrysanthemum I enjoy. That is the kengai. Kengai are smaller plants draped over a trellis. The effect makes it look as if they are going down a cliff. They are beautiful and intriguing.
The kengai got my vote for best display at Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival. If I’m brutally honest, they were the best in Tokyo. No other place came close to them.
Earlier in the morning, I went to Jindai Botanical Gardens to see its chrysanthemums. As it was a weekday, it also wasn’t crowded. With fewer people, the festivals have been a pleasure. I definitely went on the right day.
Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival photo gear:
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
- Flash: Godox V860II
Conclusion
Over the last couple of years, I’ve been thinking about getting a macro lens for flower photography. In one way, I’m glad I haven’t got one yet. Why? At these events, it is hard to get close to the flowers. There is no chance of using a tripod.
Did you go to Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival? Tell us about your visit. We’d love to hear about your experiences. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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