2026 Finalized Edition: 4 Places to Enjoy Water Lilies in Kanto, Japan|Spectacular Early-Summer Blooms by the Water

4 water lilies
pygmy waterlily (Nymphaea tetragona)

■Address List

Rakuzanen (Amaraku Town, Gunma)
648-2 Obata, Amaraku-cho, Amaraku-gun, Gunma

This historic Japanese garden is a quiet, Japanese-style spot where you can calmly photograph ponds, water lilies, and oyakitsubata.

Odawara Flower Garden
3798-5 Kuno, Odawara-shi, Kanagawa

With plum blossoms in early spring and roses in spring and fall, this garden is a great place to practice flower photography.

Ashikaga Flower Park
607 Sakoma-cho, Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi

It is a place where visitors can enjoy gorgeous floral scenery throughout the year, such as large wisteria, roses, and illumination.

Jindai Botanical Garden
5-31 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu City, Tokyo

This botanical park is recommended for those who want to enjoy seasonal flowers and take time to photograph roses and Japanese apricots in particular.

The main attractions of photographing water lilies are the serenity of the water's edge and the beauty of the flowers as they float on the surface of the water. While lotus flowers bloom with their stems straight up, water lilies spread their flowers close to the surface of the water, making them easy to photograph along with the expression of the pond and water surface, and creating a calm atmosphere.

Water lilies come in a variety of colors, such as white, pink, yellow, and purple, depending on the location. Combined with the reflections on the water surface and the round shape of the leaves, you can capture a cool and elegant image. It is also a good idea to take a large photo of the flower itself to capture its lovely appearance, or to include the entire pond and enjoy it as a waterscape.

In addition, water lilies are close to the surface of the water, making it easy to take pictures that take advantage of reflections and shimmering light. On days when the wind is light, the flowers are softly reflected on the surface of the water, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The time spent by a quiet pond, searching for the right balance between the flowers and the surface of the water, is a peaceful and enjoyable experience that can only be experienced with water lilies.


Be aware of the reflection of the water surface

Because water lilies bloom close to the surface of the water, not only the flowers themselves but also their reflections on the surface of the water make beautiful subjects. Aim for a day when the wind is calm or the surface of the pond is quiet, and the flowers and the reflection will combine to create a fantastic picture.

Soft light brings out the colors of flowers.

The petals of water lilies are more compatible with the soft light of a morning or cloudy day than with strong sunlight. Delicate shades of white, pink, and yellow can be expressed naturally, and the serene atmosphere of the water's edge can be easily captured in photographs.

Decide on one flower to be the star of the show.

Because the pond is prone to reflections from the leaves and water surface of the water lilies, it is important to first decide on one flower you want to be the main subject of the photo. By clearly defining the flower you want to show in the composition, the entire photo will be uncluttered and the lovely appearance of the water lilies will stand out.

Compose with the roundness of the leaves.

Water lilies are attractive not only for their flowers but also for their rounded leaves. By balancing the flowers and leaves well, a cool, waterside atmosphere can be expressed. Being aware of the shape of the leaves and how they overlap will add rhythm and depth to the picture.

Telephoto lens to capture a single flower impressively

Water lilies often bloom at the back of the pond, making them easier to photograph with a telephoto lens. By softly blurring the background while capturing a single flower, the shape and color of the flower will stand out and create a calm atmosphere.

Pay attention to reflections on the water surface.

On sunny days, reflections off the water surface can be strong, making the flowers appear darker and the whole image whitish. It is recommended to adjust the exposure slightly to find the brightness at which the colors of the petals appear beautiful.

Take pictures while enjoying the quiet waterside atmosphere.

The appeal of photographing water lilies is not so much the spectacular view, but rather the time spent slowly facing the flowers blooming along the water's edge. Taking pictures while feeling the stillness of the pond, the shimmering light, and the grace of the flowers will result in an elegant and serene image that is typical of water lilies.