News On Japan

Tourists Queue for Tokyo’s Most Instagrammable Spring Scenes

TOKYO, Apr 23 (News On Japan) - Foreign tourists are lining up to visit some of Tokyo’s most photogenic spring attractions, with Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo Ward drawing crowds on April 22nd as vibrant late-blooming azaleas reached their peak.

The shrine features some 3,000 azalea bushes in around 100 varieties, displaying vivid shades of red, pink, and purple. Many visitors expressed delight, calling the scenery "gorgeous," "stunning," and even "a hidden gem."

The temperature in central Tokyo reached 23.2 degrees Celsius that day, marking summer-like conditions at 97 locations nationwide. Some visitors were seen cooling off with folding fans as they strolled through the gardens.

“It’s so hot—even though it’s only April,” one tourist commented, while another from Spain added, “It’s much more humid than back home.”

Unseasonably warm days since mid-April have accelerated the blooming of the typically late-blooming azaleas, creating an eye-catching contrast of colors that is now drawing crowds. Many tourists were absorbed in photographing the floral display, eager to capture the scene for social media.

One visitor from the UK shared, “I’ve never seen azaleas like this in England. I’m so glad I got to see them—I took these photos to show my friends.”

Meanwhile, in Koto Ward, Kameido Tenjin Shrine is attracting attention for its wisteria in full bloom. A particularly popular photo spot allows visitors to capture the purple wisteria cascading from trellises, framed by the red bridge and Tokyo Skytree in the background—a scene that has captivated many.

Visitors continued snapping photos in pursuit of the perfect, atmospheric shot.

However, weather conditions are expected to change. On April 23rd, rain is forecast across much of the country, with temperatures likely to drop to levels typical of March in some regions.

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The Diet has passed legislation to establish the Science Council of Japan as an independent corporation, separating it from direct government control.

A car collided with a tour bus on the Fuji Subaru Line near Mount Fuji, leaving six foreign nationals injured. The accident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on June 11th near the fourth station of the Fuji Subaru Line in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture.

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, Legionella bacteria have been detected at levels 20 times higher than the safety standard, but subsequent countermeasures failed to curb the outbreak, with the bacteria further multiplying to 53 times the standard.

Nara Park, a world-famous site where wild deer freely roam among tourists, is facing growing concern over the animals’ survival as local authorities continue cutting down acorn-bearing trees. Researchers warn the move could seriously affect the deer's ability to endure the harsh winter months.

Japan’s bid for a successful private-sector moon landing has ended in failure for the second time, after startup ispace announced that it lost communication with its lunar lander Resilience during the final descent.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

Mii-dera, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, spans a vast area equivalent to about ten Koshien Stadiums. Known for the "Evening Bell of Mii," one of Japan's three most famous bells, the temple grounds also house numerous national treasures and important cultural properties.

JR East has announced plans to introduce a new overnight limited express train connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area with the northern Tohoku region, including Aomori and Akita, by spring 2027. The new train will feature all-private rooms and a fully flat layout, with some cabins accommodating up to four passengers.

A ceremonial ritual to carry sacred timber into the Ise Grand Shrine’s Inner Shrine was held on June 9th in preparation for the next Shikinen Sengu in 2033, when the shrine buildings are reconstructed once every 20 years.

Okinawa has entered summer faster than ever before. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced around 11 a.m. on June 8th that the region is believed to have ended its rainy season—marking the earliest such declaration since records began in 1951.

Wandering around Tokyo's most famous temple, Senso-ji, in the Asakusa district from day to night. As the sun sets on Japan, the temple and pagoda are illuminated, and is a beautiful sight with Tokyo Skytree lit up in the background. For sure one of my favorite even spots to wander around and take in the sights. (VIRTUAL JAPAN)

A wild male deer was seen roaming through a residential neighborhood in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, on the morning of June 6th, prompting police to issue warnings to residents.

To meet surging inbound tourism demand, so-called "special zone minpaku" (private lodgings permitted under special deregulation zones) have rapidly increased in Osaka. This system, introduced in 2014, allows for more relaxed rules on operating private accommodations. Today, approximately 95% of all approved special zone minpaku are concentrated in Osaka, and tensions with neighboring residents are rising.

Nara, famed for its ancient temples and historic cityscape, faces a modern dilemma: how to increase tourism revenue while preserving the city's low skyline. Due to strict regulations designed to protect the views of landmarks such as Mount Wakakusa and the Great Buddha, no building in Nara Prefecture exceeds 50 meters in height.