Meiji Jingu Gyoen is a historic garden that has existed since before Meiji Jingu was built.
Every June, the Japanese irises in its iris field come into bloom.
There are around 1,500 irises in about 150 different varieties!
The day before yesterday, I visited to see them fully blooming!
The moment I stepped into the garden,
I was surrounded by beautifully cared-for plants and the gentle scent of damp earth.
Before I knew it, I was taking a deep breath.
And then, I saw the iris field! It was a breathtaking view!!
Each flower was beautiful and elegant on its own.
I could hear people around me admiring the view.
So many irises were blooming all together, and the whole atmosphere seemed to brighten softly.
It truly made my heart dance.
Each Japanese iris flower blooms for only a very short time — just two or three days!
But another flower can bloom from the same bud, so the irises can be enjoyed for about a week, changing their expression little by little each day.
It was a short visit, but it felt like the gentlest gift to myself.
Even in busy everyday life, I realized how lovely it is to take time simply to admire flowers.
The irises should still be at their best for a few more days, so I hope you get a chance to visit!
明治神宮御苑は、明治神宮が建てられる前からある、歴史ある庭園。
菖蒲田の花菖蒲の見頃は毎年6月頃。
その数なんと約150種・1,500株！
満開を見に行ってきましたー！
まず、御苑に入った瞬間、よく手入れされた植物たちや少し湿った土の香りに包まれて、
自然と深呼吸してました。
そして、菖蒲田が見えた瞬間、その見事な景色に歓喜♡
一輪一輪が、エレガントでうっとりする美しさ。
あちこちから聞こえる感嘆の声。
たくさんの花菖蒲が咲き誇る姿。
その全部が、空気までふわっと明るくしてくれて、心踊りました。
花菖蒲は、一輪の花が咲いている時間がとても短く、2〜3日（！）ですが
同じつぼみから次の花が咲くので、1週間ほど表情を変えながら楽しめるそうです。
短い時間でしたが、とびきりやさしい、自分へのご褒美のような時間。
慌ただしい日々の中でも、こうして花を愛でる時間を持つってとてもいいなと思いました☺️
あと数日、見頃は続きそうなので、ぜひ行ってみてくださいー！
