Winter peonies are auspicious flowers that bring color to winter. Over 160 plants of approximately 40 varieties are always on display, making this the largest display in the Kanto region.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine (located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo), which was built as a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Yoshimune, and Tokugawa Yoshinobu, will be hosting the "Ueno Toshogu Winter Peony" event from January 1st (Thursday) to February 23rd (Monday), 2026, where approximately 160 peonies will be on display, adding color to the shrine buildings, five-story pagodas, and other authentic Edo-style architecture.
Winter peonies bloom when temperatures are low, so they remain in full bloom for a long period during the event.
During the event, daily flowering information will be posted on Instagram.
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utbotanen_official/
Please come and enjoy the auspicious peonies as you enter the New Year.
■ One of the largest in the Kanto region, with over 160 plants of approximately 40 varieties on display at all times
During the opening period, the garden will exhibit over 160 plants of approximately 40 varieties, including winter-blooming peonies such as popular varieties "Yachiyotsubaki," "Shimanishiki," and "Okan," which have been brought to bloom using controlled cultivation techniques, as well as winter peonies such as "Togawasamu" and "Nagareboshi," which are extremely difficult to cultivate with a flowering rate of less than 20%.
The garden is decorated in the style of Japanese calendars, and you can enjoy different atmospheres depending on the time of year you visit.
[Shimanishiki] A variety that sometimes blooms in a mixture of red and white.
[Yellow Crown] A rare yellow variety with a sweet fragrance not found in other varieties.
[Winter Peony, Togawa Kan] A variety that blooms twice a year. Depending on the weather conditions, the flowers may not bloom in winter.
New Year's decorations
■ Wrap yourself in a straw enclosure to keep out the cold
To protect them from the harsh winter environment, the winter-blooming peonies are wrapped in straw cloth during the garden's opening hours.
"Warabocchi" come in a variety of shapes and tying methods depending on the region, but since our founding, our garden has delighted the eyes of visitors with its manly knots made with rough rope and decorative knots that resemble plum blossoms and other flowers.
Man's knot using a rough rope
Decorative knot imitating flowers
■ Enjoy authentic Edo architecture, including the five-story pagoda of the former Kan'ei-ji Temple
From within the grounds, you can see the five-story pagoda of the former Kan'ei-ji Temple and the stone lanterns lining the approach to Toshogu Shrine, and together with the dry landscape Japanese garden, you can view peonies in an Edo atmosphere that you can't experience anywhere else.
Also, when it snows, it has a special charm, and the sight of the peonies standing majestically in the falling snow catches the eye of anyone who sees them.
■ You can enjoy different flowering trees depending on the season, such as wintersweet, plum, and amaryllis.
From early January, wintersweet and early-blooming plum blossoms are in full bloom, and from early February, various flowering trees such as ambrosia and witch hazel are in full bloom in the garden, adding a touch of splendor to the scenery along with the peonies.
Wintersweet
plum
Adonis
■ Sale of peony seedlings and dahlia bulbs
We plan to sell spring-blooming peony seedlings and dahlia bulbs on certain days during the garden's opening period.
[Overview of Ueno Toshogu Shrine's Winter Peony]
Name: 44th Ueno Toshogu Shrine Winter Peony
Opening period: Thursday, January 1, 2026 to Monday, February 23 (national holiday) *Open every day during this period
Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 (last admission)
Admission fee: Adults (junior high school students and above) 1,000 yen, groups (15 or more) 800 yen, admission ticket for the event period 2,500 yen, free for elementary school students and below
Organizer: Ueno Tourism Association, General Incorporated Association Supported by: Taito Ward, Public Interest Incorporated Association Horticultural Culture Association
Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
TEL: 03-3822-3575 (Peony Garden)
Access: 5 minutes walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station
5 minutes walk from Ikenohata exit of Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Electric Railway
10 minutes walk from Exit 2 of Nezu Station on the Tokyo Metro
■Ueno Toshogu Shrine Peony Garden
Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden was opened in April 1980 to commemorate friendship between Japan and China, on the grounds of Ueno Toshogu Shrine, which enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu as its deity. Currently, 500 peonies of 110 varieties are cultivated in the strolling Japanese garden in spring, and 160 peonies of 40 varieties are cultivated in winter. Additionally, to allow more people to enjoy seasonal flowers, 200 dahlias (also known as Tenjiku peonies) of 100 varieties are exhibited in autumn.
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Ueno is lush with greenery, so you can enjoy the peonies at your leisure while immersing yourself in the Edo atmosphere.
Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
TEL: 03-3822-3575 (Peony Garden)
Access: 5 minutes walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station
5 minutes walk from Ikenohata exit of Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Electric Railway
10 minutes walk from Exit 2 of Nezu Station on the Tokyo Metro
Official website: https://uenobotanen.com/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utbotanen_official/
[Toshogu Shrine] Press release
