Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition

The Shinjuku Gyoen chrysanthemum exhibition descends from the imperial chrysanthemum viewing parties of the Meiji era, and runs on fixed dates from November 1 to 15 each year. It is staged in the garden's Japanese section, where the flowers are shown inside roofed, open-fronted structures known as uwaya. Rather than lining up individual pots as most shows do, Shinjuku Gyoen composes a bed for each type of chrysanthemum, designing the arrangement so that every variety is seen at its best. Seven pavilion beds and two open-air beds follow a set route, so a different character of flower appears at each turn. Classical varieties such as Edo-giku, Ise-giku, Choji-giku and Saga-giku are grown here, along with ozukuri specimens trained to carry a great many blooms on one plant, preserving techniques handed down from the imperial gardens.