Sunday 18 May 2014

Azalea Season in Komagome

EMU JR East E231 series passes through Komagome Station on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line
 
It is mid-spring in Tokyo. Following the Sakura (cherry) blossoms, many kinds of flowers paint the ground a rainbow of colors. Azalea is one of the reputable flowers in this season. There are many famous azalea viewing spots downtown, but Komagome is my favorite area, as we can find them not only in the town but also along the railway tracks.

Please look at the top photo. It is Komagome Station on the JR East Line. The azalea planting zone is seen both along the east bound Yamanote Line track and the westbound Shonan-Shinjuku Line track. The photo shows the nearly full blown azaleas along the Shonan-Shinjuku Line track. An orange and green striped train, the E231 series, is passing through the azalea flowers, which flourishes with pink colored blossoms. The E231 series is an EMU widely operated in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It was launched in 2000, and introduced to the Shonan-Shinjuku Line in 2001.

The following photo shows an azalea blooming garden near Komagome Station. It is Kyu-Furukawa garden with the mansion, which was constructed in 1917 by Furukawa Toranosuke. He made his fortune in the copper mining industry. This Western style garden is composed of Italian, French, and Japanese gardens; meanwhile, the mansion was constructed as a Renaissance style buiding. Currently, it is maintained by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and is designated as a Scenic Beauty by the central government.

The full blown station and the garden... they are gorgeous azalea viewing spots in Komagome.

 
Kyu-Furukawa Garden and Mansion near Komagome Station