TOKYO - Foreign tourists are lining up to visit some of Tokyo’s most photogenic spring attractions, with Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo Ward drawing crowds on April 22nd as vibrant late-blooming azaleas reached their peak.
The shrine features some 3,000 azalea bushes in around 100 varieties, displaying vivid shades of red, pink, and purple. Many visitors expressed delight, calling the scenery "gorgeous," "stunning," and even "a hidden gem."
The temperature in central Tokyo reached 23.2 degrees Celsius that day, marking summer-like conditions at 97 locations nationwide. Some visitors were seen cooling off with folding fans as they strolled through the gardens.
“It’s so hot—even though it’s only April,” one tourist commented, while another from Spain added, “It’s much more humid than back home.”
Unseasonably warm days since mid-April have accelerated the blooming of the typically late-blooming azaleas, creating an eye-catching contrast of colors that is now drawing crowds. Many tourists were absorbed in photographing the floral display, eager to capture the scene for social media.
One visitor from the UK shared, “I’ve never seen azaleas like this in England. I’m so glad I got to see them—I took these photos to show my friends.”
Meanwhile, in Koto Ward, Kameido Tenjin Shrine is attracting attention for its wisteria in full bloom. A particularly popular photo spot allows visitors to capture the purple wisteria cascading from trellises, framed by the red bridge and Tokyo Skytree in the background—a scene that has captivated many.
Visitors continued snapping photos in pursuit of the perfect, atmospheric shot.
However, weather conditions are expected to change. On April 23rd, rain is forecast across much of the country, with temperatures likely to drop to levels typical of March in some regions.
Source: FNN
