Fields of riotously blooming purple, blue & white iris? Yes, please! Here are the best places in Tokyo to see the iris extravaganzas of your dreams.
HASEDERA TEMPLE in Kamakura
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1-15 (lucky for you, it’s the same time you can also see their very famous hydrangea hillside)
Open: Every day
Hours: 8:00 – 17:00
Admission: ¥300
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KORAKU-EN GARDEN in Korakuen
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Open: Every day, except 12/29-1/3
Admission: ¥300
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HORIKIRI IRIS GARDEN in Horikirishobuen
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: 9:00 – 16:30
Open: Every day
Admission: Free
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MIZUMOTO PARK in Kanamachi
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: Public park, open 24 hours
Open: Every day
Admission: Free
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SHŌBUNUMA PARK in Kita-ayase
Iris are at their peak early in this garden from June 1 – 15
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Open: Every day
Admission: Free
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MEIGETSU-IN SECRET GARDEN in Kamakura
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15. This garden is only open from the end of May to mid-June for iris season, so if you’re in Kamakura then, you should go! This temple is famous for hydrangeas, but you can see both if you go in early June.
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Open: Every day
Admission: ¥300 for entry to the temple, ¥500 additional to see the secret iris garden
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NEZU MUSEUM GARDEN in Harajuku
Iris are at their peak early in this garden from May 7 – 15
Open: Six days a week, closed on Mondays, on the day after national holidays, during exhibition installation, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Admission (museum & garden): Adults: ¥1000, Students: ¥800 (plus extra fee for some special exhibitions)
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HONDO-JI TEMPLE in Kitakogane
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15. This temple is mostly famous for its hydrangeas, and if you’re lucky, you can see them both blooming at the same time.
Hours: 8:00 – 16:30
Open: Every day
Admission: ¥500
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KIYOSUMI GARDEN in Kiyosumi-shirakawa
Iris are at their peak from June 1 – 15, but I’ve included this garden because even though the iris display is small, it’s a lovely surprise amid the cool greenery of my favorite garden to visit in hot weather. Kiyosumi Garden never fails to be a cool, green feast for the eyes.
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Open: Every day, except 12/29-1/3
Admission: ¥150
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MEIJI SHRINE NAI-EN GARDEN in Harajuku
Iris are at their peak in this garden from June 1 – 15. This is the most famous iris garden in Tokyo, but that also means it’s the most crowded. If you want to see it with as few people as possible, be there on a weekday when it opens, or from mid-late afternoon.
Hours: 8:00 – 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Open: Every day, except the third Friday of each month
Admission: ¥500
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
Beautiful! 🙂