Where to see Japan‘s Azaleas: 10 Places to visit
After the beautiful cherry blossoms, comes the time for azalea. In this article I will show you 10 places to visit to see Japan‘s azaleas.
You will find azaleas everywhere in this country: along the streets, in public parks, on playgrounds and Japanese gardens. We will explore the best places in gardens and temples/shrines.
Content:
Meiji Jingu Gyoen (Tokyo)
Rikugien Garden (Tokyo)
Nezu Shrine (Tokyo)
Imperial Palace East Garden (Tokyo)
Shiofune Kannon-ji (Tokyo)
Shisendo (Kyoto)
Komyo-in & Matsunoo Taisha (Kyoto)
Other Azalea Destinations
Azalea Varieties
In TOKYO
Meiji Jingu Gyoen: Tokyo’s Azalea Oasis
In the heart of Tokyo, more precice in the middle of the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Meiji Jingu Gyoen offers very special azalea experience. Throughout middle to late April, the garden lets you wander under a tunnel of hundreds of years old shrubs in full bloom.
Rikugien Garden: Tokyo’s not so secret Gem
The Rikugien Garden is a must-visit destination. It is everybody’s favorite and rightfully so. In late April, the garden will grant you with a paradise of blooming azaleas covering a whole hill. While exploring the rest of the grounds, you may even find more, some of them over hundreds of years old.
In May, the Satsuki azalea will spot the whole area around the pond with vibrant pink.
Rikugien Garden Guide
This eBook explores the poetic design, history, and seasonal beauty of Rikugien in Tokyo.
Perfect for lovers of Edo-period gardens, literature, and peaceful strolls.
Learn more before you visit—or revisit from home.
That must-see Azalea destination in Tokyo
Not located in a garden but a highly recommended place for seeing azaleas in late April is the Nezu Shrine. A complete hill is covered in azaleas and you are free to walk among them. At the bottom of the hill, many red torii gates waiting for your Kyoto Inari Shrine-like pictures.
*for all above mentioned destinations you will need to pay an entrance fee.
Tokyo Imperial Palace: May Splendor
With the arrival of May, the Tokyo Imperial Palace Ninomaru Garden bursts into life with its pink Satsuki azalea flowers. If you are lucky and visiting at the right time, they are contrasting with the violet irises.
Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden Guide
The Tokyo Imperial Palace Ninomaru Gardens form part of the East Gardens of the old Edo Castle. Once the location of shogunate palaces, the site now features a traditional Japanese garden with seasonal beauty, stonework, and a small pond—easy to visit and rich with imperial history.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Shiofune Kannon-ji temple in the outskirts of Tokyo
Basically still Tokyo but around an hour from the city center, lies this temple in a flood of azalea bushes. In late April all the hills turn pink, white, and red. With the traditional temple architecture within the flowers, it is a stunning place to visit.
In KYOTO
Shisendo: Kyoto’s Azalea Sanctuary
Previously belonging to a Samurai who built it as his hermitage, Shisendo temple still is a quite retreat for visitors to Kyoto. In May, the backdrop of the dry landscape garden turns all pink. If you stroll around the temple grounds in late April, you will find other azalea shrubs in bloom. Take a moment to admire the unique temple architecture amidst the greenery!
Kōmyō-in: Floating above pink clouds
A famous dry landscape garden in Kyoto designed by Shigemori Mirei. He used the azaleas, which already covered the hill in the background, in his own design, creating ōkarikomi that is looking like clouds. You will see them in flower in May.
Another garden by Shigemori Mirei with beautiful azaleas flowering in May is the Matsunoo Taisha close to Arashiyama.
Kōmyō-in Garden Guide
This eBook introduces Kōmyō-in, a tranquil sub-temple of Tōfuku-ji in Kyoto. Renowned for Shigemori Mirei’s Hashin-tei garden, it offers a serene space reflecting Zen principles and seasonal beauty.
Perfect for Zen enthusiasts and visitors seeking a peaceful Kyoto experience.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Special Openings in Kyoto
Some temples which are usually closed to the public, have special openings in April and May. This gives you the unique chance to admire their wonderful all-red azalea bushes.
Look out for the Manshuin Monzeki or the Shodeneigen-in in Kennin-ji temple.
Other Azalea Destinations Across Japan
Beyond the highlighted gardens, Japan offers numerous other destinations to experience the beauty of azaleas.
In Saitama, Godaison Park feels like a nature escape with blooming azaleas, in the mountains of Saitama. In Fukushima, the Ogawara Azalea Garden creates an amazing landscape of flowering shrubs. It looks like a sea of pink and white.
From the megalopolis of Tokyo to the streets of ancient Kyoto, Japan’s azalea gardens offer a glimpse into the country’s rich natural heritage. Wherever you go, you will find these plants, in full bloom or with only a few flowers open; it doesn’t matter what season you are visiting.
View our map for more Azalea spots in Japan.
Exploring notable Azalea varieties of Japan
Azaleas are everywhere in Japanese gardens, and it’s easy to see why; their bright flowers really stand out. There are so many types, but three you’ll often come across in Japan are Rhododendron indicum, Rhododendron dilatatum, and Rhododendron pulchrum cv. Oomurasaki.
Rhododendron indicum
Names: Satsuki Azalea, 皐月, サツキツツジ
Flowering Time: Spring to early summer (May in Tokyo)
Height: 1-3 meters (3-10 feet)
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Rhododendron indicum, commonly referred to as Satsuki Azalea, offers a profusion of blossoms that transform gardens from spring to early summer. Originating from East Asia, this evergreen shrub thrives in acidic, well-drained soil under partial shade. Its compact form makes it perfect for borders or container gardening, bringing vibrant colour and ongoing delight to any setting.
Rhododendron dilatatum
Names: Mitsuba Azalea, ミツバツツジ
Flowering Time: Late spring (April – May)
Height: 1-2 meters (3-6 feet)
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Rhododendron dilatatum, also known as Mitsuba Azalea, enchants with its graceful blooms in late spring. Native to Japan and Korea, this deciduous shrub prefers acidic soil with good moisture retention and partial shade. With a moderate height ranging from 1 to 2 meters, it lends itself well to mixed borders or as a focal point in smaller gardens, offering a touch of elegance to outdoor spaces.
Rhododendron pulchrum cv. Oomurasaki Names: Oomurasaki Azalea, オオムラサキツツジ
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring (April – May)
Height: 1-2 meters (3-6 feet)
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Rhododendron pulchrum ‘Ōmurasaki’, often known as Ōmurasaki Azalea, is one of the most widely planted evergreen azaleas in Japan, valued for its large, vivid purple blooms that appear in late spring. Originally cultivated as a hardy and adaptable variety, it tolerates a range of conditions but performs best in slightly acidic, well-drained soil with partial shade. Its vigorous growth and dense habit make it well suited for hedges, mass plantings, and urban landscapes, where it creates a strong visual impact during the flowering season.
Don’t miss the opportunity to look deeper into the beauty and significance of Azaleas in Japanese gardens. Download our exclusive ebooks packed with insights into the histories and cultural significance of Rikugien, the Tokyo Imperial Palace, and others. Or secure your spot on one of our immersive garden tours today for an unforgettable botanical adventure. Start your journey now.
This article was first published on Patreon
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With twelve years of professional landscaping experience under her belt, Anika Ogusu is your perfect guide to the world of Japanese gardens. Her love of nature began early, in the woods near her childhood home and the garden of her grandmother’s house. During her teenage years she developed a strong interest in Japanese culture, and after university she decided to combine her love of Japan and gardens into a profession. Anika started her career as chief gardener in charge of the perennial valley at the Botanical Garden in Hamburg, Germany, then moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. For two years she apprenticed under local landscape designers and learned the art of Japanese garden design, construction and maintenance. Now, in partnership with Real Japanese Gardens (www.japanesegardens.jp), her wish is to spread the magic of Japanese gardens to the rest of the world. Her in-depth guide books on gardens throughout Japan are available in eBook format or paperback. In her free time, Anika enjoys exploring her adopted country (especially green moss gardens), and soaking up nature and any details that interest her.
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With twelve years of professional landscaping experience under her belt, Anika Ogusu is your perfect guide to the world of Japanese gardens. Her love of nature began early, in the woods near her childhood home and the garden of her grandmother’s house. During her teenage years she developed a strong interest in Japanese culture, and after university she decided to combine her love of Japan and gardens into a profession. Anika started her career as chief gardener in charge of the perennial valley at the Botanical Garden in Hamburg, Germany, then moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. For two years she apprenticed under local landscape designers and learned the art of Japanese garden design, construction and maintenance. Now, in partnership with Real Japanese Gardens (www.japanesegardens.jp), her wish is to spread the magic of Japanese gardens to the rest of the world. Her in-depth guide books on gardens throughout Japan are available in eBook format or paperback. In her free time, Anika enjoys exploring her adopted country (especially green moss gardens), and soaking up nature and any details that interest her.
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