The next Ueno Park tour on July 23. The Shinobazu Pond lotus flowers are in full bloom now.

The next Ueno Park tour on July 23. The Shinobazu Pond lotus flowers are in full bloom now. As we reported on July 2, the Ueno Park Shinobazu Pond lotus flowers are now in full bloom. The pink flower field is expected to bloom until mid-August.

Since the Edo period (1603-1868), people have admired the lotus flowers in the pond. Fans and photographers can’t wait for summer when they bloom.
As advised the most important thing in lotus flower viewing is timing. The lotus buds flower in the early morning and close its petals in the afternoon. A lotus flower’s life is fleeting. It blooms on and off for three days and drops its petals on the fourth day. Flowers that bloom in the early morning of the second day seem to be most beautiful. These pictures were taken on July 16, 2023 at around 9am.

The Shinobazu Pond was the inlet of Tokyo Bay about 10,000 years ago. After a thousand years of marine regression, what’s left of it is a natural pond. The lotus flowers in the pond were planted during the Edo period (1603-1868) which are depicted in an ukiyo-e woodblock print.

The Shinobazu Pond consists of three sections: A pond of lotus flowers, a pond where you can go boating and a protected habitat for various waterfowls such as cormorants, gulls, and ducks. Also, many carp are seen in the pond. The perimeter of the pond is about two kilometers long.

The lotus flowers are deeply associated with Buddhism. They are the flowers which Buddhist statues sit on. Lotus flowers are likened to human life. Buddhists believe that human life is one of sufferings, and good behavior and efforts are the ways to achieve enlightenment. This behavior matches with that of lotus flowers because they grow out of mud and bloom in beauty without getting covered in mud. It is believed that the plants are blossoming in paradise. The lotus flower is a symbol of Buddhism and is the national flower of India that Buddhism originated in.

The recommended viewing place is the walkway in the south of the pond. The flowers can be seen up close, and you may feel as if you are walking on the pond. Also, you will see high-rise buildings and a beautiful small temple on the island across the pond. This is the Bentendo Temple which is dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of art, music, and wisdom.
The Shinobazu Pond is one of the best lotus flower viewing spots in Tokyo. The flowers will stay in bloom until mid-August. You need to get up early in the morning if you want to see it. Flower viewing is highly recommended. You won’t regret it if you go.
Our next tour in Ueno Park will be at 1:30pm on July 23. Ueno Park is a beautiful park in the heart of Tokyo and an oasis for locals and tourists. It has the Shinobazu Pond and also various museums, shrines, temples, statues and so on. The meeting place is just in front of JR Ueno Station Park Exit; additionally, it is accessible from other Ueno train stations. We look forward to seeing you.

(Yoshi)

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