The Shinjuku Gyoen 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival was awesome, and great weather graced the event, making it a beautiful day for flower photography. As it was a little warm, an autumn jacket wasn’t needed—I was happy in a T-shirt and jeans. While I always wish I had more time with the flowers, I got good photos, especially of the larger chrysanthemum plants like the superb ozukuri and ogiku.
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 the 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. They are known for their incurved petal which form a puffy and scaly flower. 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, which are smaller plants draped over a trellis. The effect makes it look as if they are cascading down a cliff. They are beautiful and intriguing.
The kengai got my vote for best display at the 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.
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.
Do you have a favorite flower festival? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5 these days. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
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