The rainy season is beginning and Japanese irises are blooming.
Japanese irises include three types: Hanashobu (Iris ensata), Kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) and Ayame (Iris sanguinea). Here, I refer to the first one, Hanashobu.
The plant, Hanashobu grows in wetland, not dry field.
Tokyo has several places where we can enjoy a variety of iris flowers.
Meiji-jingu shrine is one of them.
It is said that 150 species of irises are grown in this garden.
You can enjoy various colors and patterns of irises here.
The Meiji-jingu shrine lies in the center of Tokyo, having an area of 72ha.
In 1920 the shrine was established to commemorate the virtue of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
The trees were dedicated from all over Japan to produce this ‘artificial forest’. Now, the forest harbors a large eco-system; a diversity of birds, insects, and small animals lives there not to mention various plants.
It is not only a place to dedicate prayers but also a place for relaxation, such as forest, park and garden.
(Lotuses are also having flowers in the pond.)
