Saturday July 4, 2009
Meiji Jingu, Tokyo
Hot and Humid
After my pilates class, I walked thru Omotesando to see if there was anything going on for 4th of July. Well, there was nothing about 4th of July but there were plenty of people mourning the death of Michael Jackson. The 1000s of Michael Jackson fans and the tens of thousands of bargain hunters (sales season has started in Tokyo) were overwhelming. So off I went to Meiji Jingu – a famous Shinto shrine and an oasis in the middle of busy Tokyo.
The Meiji Jingu is a massive Shinto shrine compound built to honor Emperor Meiji after his death in 1912. While walking through the compound, I saw a poster announcing that the Iris garden is open and I happened to get there the last week the irises were in "bloom". So I paid the 500 yen and walked into the garden.
The first part of the garden was so-so but very quiet and green. Its amazing how quiet it is as it is located in the Shibuya area of Tokyo which is one of the busiest places in Tokyo especially on weekends.
The path leads to the koi pond which is pretty big but a bit stinky. Once the lotus flowers bloom, I'm sure it will be beautiful.
The koi seemed to be thriving in the pond though as they were big!
Once you go around the pond, you enter the Iris Garden. You know you are at the Iris Garden before you see the irises because of the faint sweet scent it gives off. I was pleased to find many of the irises still in bloom. Quite beautiful.
A couple found a shady spot and was painting the iris garden.
During the walk through the garden, I only saw a handful of people. I wonder if many people know about the garden?
Outside the garden is the Well of Kiyomasa which is one of the most important wells in Japan. In supplies all the water for the pond and the iris garden. The water is so pure that one can drink it!
I always feel a bit homesick during July 4th in Japan, but felt much better after the stroll through the garden. From the outside, Tokyo is a concrete jungle, but if you pay careful attention, you'll find quiet beauty dotted inside the city.