Viewpoint on the sacred lotus flowers

You are now standing before Shinobazu Pond, and more precisely, in one of its most enchanting spots—the lotus garden. Each summer, lotus leaves and blossoms come to life to occupy this vast surface, forming one of the largest lotus collections in all of Japan! If you’re visiting in August, you’re in for a treat, because you’ll find lovely shades of pink and white painting the Ueno Park. A true emblem of the country, lotus flowers have always existed in Japanese culture and are essential symbols in Tokyo. Representing purity, spirituality, and rebirth, these flowers owe their reputation to their incredible resilience, the exceptional longevity of their seeds, and their amazing ability to regenerate. Purity, because they can clean themselves and eliminate any dirt that might tarnish them; spirituality, because according to Buddhist beliefs, Buddha left lotus flowers with each step he took; rebirth, because they close at the end of each day for the night and return more beautiful the next day, regenerating to reveal flowers that are more stunning than the last, day after day. This is, in fact, why the lotus is very often associated with one of the most well-known Buddhist proverbs, which states that one must live with unwavering faith: after all, this is what the lotus does, blooming anew each day. Either way, this park offers a stunning glimpse into Japan’s deep love for lotus flowers. Blooming in full glory each summer, you can closely admire them from the walkway specially built for the occasion!