Colors of My Heart

Shinjuku Gyoen was made in 1906 as an imperial garden, it was re-designated as a national garden after the WW2 and opened to the public. With 58.3 ha in size and a circumference of 3.5 km, Shinjuku Gyoen, the representative modern western-style garden in Meiji era, blends three distinct styles, Formal Garden, Landscape Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden, and is considered to be one of the most important gardens from the Meiji era. Among about the 10,000 trees which grow in Shinjuku Gyoen, there are the first examples planted in Japan such plants as tulip trees, planes, Himalayan cedars and bald cypresses. From the cherry blossoms in spring to the soft greens of summer, the chrysanthemums and colorful leaves of autumn and the snowscapes of winter, Shinjuku Gyoen is an ideal place to get close to nature and enjoy the changing seasons, the perfect oasis for metropolitan. - Japanese white-eye (called Mejiro in Japanese) in Shinjuku Gyoen - The Japanese white-eye is a bird about 12 cm l...

The flowering peach (Hanamomo) is a deciduous small tree belonging to the Prunus genus of the Rosaceae family. It is a cultivated variety of the peach tree, bred specifically for ornamental purposes. Unlike common peach trees, which are grown for their fruit, Hanamomo is cultivated primarily for the beauty of its blossoms. These photographs capture the exquisite Hanamomo trees in Shinjuku Gyoen, one of Tokyo’s most renowned gardens. One of the most striking characteristics of Hanamomo is the diversity of its flower shapes and colors. The blossoms come in various forms, including single-petaled, double-petaled, and chrysanthemum-like varieties. Their colors range from pure white and delicate pink to vibrant red and even bicolor combinations of red and white, creating a stunning visual display. Blooming from mid-March to early  April, Hanamomo flowers appear around the same time as cherry blossoms, adding to the vibrant scenery of spring. The tree typically grows to a height of 2 to ...

Even in the cold of winter, the daffodils blooming in Shinjuku Gyoen stand gracefully, offering comfort and tranquility to those who visit. Their peak season typically spans from mid-December to early February, during which two main varieties can be enjoyed throughout the garden: Paperwhite and Japanese daffodil (Nihon Suisen). The Paperwhite variety features pure white petals and a white central corona, giving a delicate and elegant impression. In contrast, the Japanese daffodil has a yellow corona that beautifully contrasts with its white petals, and its subtle fragrance adds to its charm. These daffodils can be found in several areas of the garden, including along the path just inside the Shinjuku Gate, around the Lower Pond, near the Service Center, and in front of the Eco House. Each location offers a unique atmosphere in which to appreciate the flowers. The photos I have uploaded this time were all taken along the path immediately after entering through the Shinjuku Gate. For pho...

  Shinjuku Gyoen is a wonderful place to photograph throughout the seasons.  In autumn, the vibrant reds of the maple trees are stunning, but the golden hues of the ginkgo leaves are equally breathtaking. The contrast between the clear blue sky and the brilliant yellow foliage creates a truly captivating scene.  Moreover, the overlapping colors of crimson maples and golden ginkgoes offer a harmony so beautiful that I find myself wanting to keep photographing endlessly. This particular visit was captured with my PEN camera. Looking back at these photos now, I can’t help but feel a nostalgic desire to use the PEN again.     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/60s / F5.6 / ISO200 / ± 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/400s / F4.5 / ISO200 / ± 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/6s / F5.6 / ISO100 / ± 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/2000s / F6.5 / I...