Where To See The Best Iris Gardens In Tokyo
Fields of riotously blooming purple, blue & white iris? Yes Please! Here are the best places in Tokyo to see the iris extravaganzas of your dreams.
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Open: Every day, except 12/29-1/3
Admission: ¥300
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HORIKIRI IRIS GARDEN in Horikirishobuen
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: 9:00 – 16:30
Open: Every day
Admission: Free
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MIZUMOTO PARK in Kanamachi
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: Public park, open 24 hours
Open: Every day
Admission: Free
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SHŌBUNUMA PARK in Kita-ayase
Iris are at their peak early in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Open: Every day
Admission: Free
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MEIGETSU-IN SECRET GARDEN in Kamakura
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15. This garden is only open from the end of May to mid-June for iris season, so if you’re in Kamakura then, you should go! This temple is famous for hydrangeas, but you can see both if you go in early June.
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Open: Every day
Admission: ¥300 for entry to the temple, ¥500 additional to see the secret iris garden
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NEZU MUSEUM GARDEN in Harajuku
Admission to the Nezu Museum includes admission to their lovely garden, and in mid-May, this gorgeous display of iris coincides with…
…the annual exhibition of this screen, which is a National Cultural Treasure, painted by Korin. The iris on the screen and the iris in the garden are the same variety!
Iris are at their peak early in this garden from May 7 – 15
Open: Six days a week, closed on Mondays, on the day after national holidays, during exhibition installation, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Admission (museum & garden): Adults: ¥1000, Students: ¥800 (plus extra fee for some special exhibitions)
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HONDO-JI TEMPLE in Kitakogane
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15. This temple is mostly famous for its hydrangeas, and if you’re lucky, you can see them both blooming at the same time.
Hours: 8:00 – 16:30
Open: Every day
Admission: ¥500
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KIYOSUMI GARDEN in Kiyosumi-shirakawa
Iris are at their peak from June 1 – 15, but I’ve included this garden because even though the iris display is small, it’s a lovely surprise amid the cool greenery of my favorite garden to visit in hot weather. Kiyosumi Garden never fails to be a cool, green feast for the eyes.
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Open: Every day, except 12/29-1/3
Admission: ¥150
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MEIJI SHRINE NAI-EN GARDEN in Harajuku
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15. This is the most famous iris garden in Tokyo, but that also means it’s the most crowded. If you want to see it with as few people as possible, be there on a weekday when it opens, or from mid-late afternoon.
Hours: 8:00 – 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Open: Every day, except the third Friday of each month
Admission: ¥500
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Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
