The unexpected photo opp

I went to the Meiji Jingu iris garden as I hoped it would provide some good photo opportunities, especially as being able to go on a weekday would avoid the usual crowds that flock to the gardens when the irises are in full bloom.

Unfortunately, I had left it too late this year and whilst there were still some irises left in bloom, they were rather sparse and so not as inspiring as I had hoped, photo wise.  But still a pretty, lush green space in the urban and usually concrete jungle that is Tokyo.

 

Close up, the irisies really are a very lovely flower.  I liked this one because of the water droplets on it.

What ended up being much more interesting than the iris garden was the tanuki (Japanese racoon dog) which live around Tokyo but aren't seen that often.  However there appears to be a couple living around the Meiji Shrine gardens at the moment.  The tanuki becamse centre of attention whilst I was there but didn't seem to bothered by all the attention.  This one was taking an afternoon nap.

Here was one receiving attention from a nice old lady feeding him (or her) bread

Clearly though tanuki can't read... the sign says "Keep out"

So although I wasn't able to get the iris photos I wanted, I was happy to meet a couple of the garden's residents instead.

Rainy season clouds over Shinjukugyoen

According to Wikipedia, Shinjuku gyoen is "a large park with an eminent garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.  It was originally a residence of the Naito family in the Edo period. Afterwards it became a garden under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan.  It is now a park under the jurisdiction of the national Ministry of Environment.". 

Unlike Yoyogi Park you do have to pay to enter the park, but at only JPY200 per adult, its not enough to put people off, and as I entered on a Saturday afternoon in June, there were plenty of people in the park enjoying the sun whilst the rain clouds gathered overhead.

In the park there is woodland and green open spaces and three specifc types of garden: traditional Japanese, French and English.

Similar to Yoyogi Park it is important to find just the right spot to relax in.  This couple seems striking against the green grass of the park.  He is enjoying something on his phone and she is taking cover from the UV rays - a very sensible precaution.

 Or you can might to catch a few zzzz in the Japanese garden, this lady looked very relaxed amongst the dragon flies and in sight of the traditional Japanese building.

 At this time of year, the hydrangea are in full bloom.  This bush struck me as unusual as usually the flowers are blue but there were some more purple looking flowers.

 The park is so big there are maps available at the entrances, although I found it to be very well signposted.  However, this lady was consulting her map before deciding where to go next.

It wasn't just about chilling out in the park, I came across this group who were using water colours to paint the scenery.

 And there are many interesting sights, I am not sure what these flowers are but they suggested to me, just a matter of evolution before we have triffids to deal with...

Despite June being known as rainy season, there was plenty of sunshine to enjoy in the park, although the rain clouds are never far away.  This view over the lake has some of the Shinjuku skyline in the background, including the "Times Square Tower".



 On my way around the park, I hoped to visit the Greenhouse but sadly it was closed, an adventures awaits another day then, but it is a rather good looking green house for sure.



 And that was my first visit to Shinjuku gyoen in quite some time, will have to make it back again, to see how it changes with the seasons and visit that impressive looking Greenhouse.