I saw a sign on the train recently letting people know that the iris were blooming at Meiji Shrine. Lucky for me, the stars aligned for me to go during the peek of the season. My cousins wanted to go to Harajuku, which is right next to Meiji Shrine. Also, the area is one train ride away, so we could go while my son was in school. We made a plan for a friend to come with us so the girls could stay longer in Harajuku.
After dropping off my son at school, we met up at the train station. About 30 minutes later, we arrived at the shrine. My cousins were in awe, as the shrine is very green and tranquil - completely different than most of what they have seen of Japan thus far. I looked at a map and was surprised to see the iris gardens listed. I had never noticed it before even though I've been to the shrine multiple times.
We walked to the main shrine where we talked about the importance of the shrine and what it is like to be there during the New Year holiday. Just beyond the main shrine is the entrance to the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, C (known as gyoen (g-yo-en). I went to pay the ¥500 entrance fee for each of us, but the gentleman at the entrance asked me if my cousins and my friend were high school students. His assumption was correct, so the girls cost ¥200 each instead of ¥500. It is always nice to save a few yen.
We walked along the path and soon left the trees behind us. In front of us was a pond with blooming water lilies. We paused by the south pond to enjoy the white, pink, and yellow blooms. The view was so relaxing. I read that the Empress Shoken enjoyed fishing here, which made me smile to think of her casting a line into the same water.
Just a short stroll down the path were the iris. As soon as we turned the bend, the four of us gasped. The garden was striking. According to the brochure, there are 1,500 groups of iris displaying 150 original Edo-type varieties. This results in a beautiful display of purple and green. The contrast of color was gorgeous.
The garden is long and follows the natural curves of the landscape. The iris are located in the paddies sunken into the ground, so they are at knee level, allowing you to see even further. The area was also made for the Empress Shoken in 1893, when it transitioned from a rice paddy to an iris garden.
Further down the path was Kiyomasa's Well, a spring well that waters the iris garden and pond. It is a peaceful little spot. People were lined up to take a moment and dip their hands into the 15°C (59°F) water.
Our time in the shrine and garden was very peaceful and relaxing. It was a lovely way to spend the morning. As we walked over to Harajuku, we laughed at how we were experiencing two very different worlds today separated by just a street. Very soon it was time for me to depart, and I must admit, I wasn't sad to leave the hustle of Harajuku. I much prefer the serenity of the iris garden.
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