Azalea Mania
Once again, the Nezu Shrine does not disappoint – at the end of April, the hills surrounding my favorite shrine are paved with azaleas of every color. But my favorite part is the tunnel of bright orange torii gates that wends its way through the blazing balls of blooms!

If you’d like to go to the Nezu Shrine the next time you’re in Tokyo, a map is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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Jonelle Patrick View All
Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
I love the azaleas (which also grow here in profusion). But what’s with the multiple toriiiiiii gates?
The torii gates are given by donors, and the Nezu Shrine has a lot of donors! I love it when they arrange them in a tunnel like this, though – you can walk through them when the sun is shining, and they really glow!