An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan May 12, 2025

Flower viewing is a beloved tradition in Japan, with each season bringing its own natural spectacle. Just as the last sakura (cherry blossom) petals drift away, Tokyo"s gardens start gearing up for their next big show: the iris bloom. Featured here is an iris garden in Tokyo. The iris is a flowering plant genus that has 310 recognised species, known for their bold and beautiful blossoms. The genus is named after the Greek word "îris", meaning "rainbow," which is also the name of the Greek goddess of rainbows.

© M.Arai/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A butterfly’s best friend
American Red Cross pioneers
May 12, 2024Mothers Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan. 6, 2026Nuuk, Greenland
A day for giving
Jul. 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
Step back in time...
Sep. 13, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Mar. 20, 2026Spring equinox
What are they celebrating?
Aug. 9, 2025International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
Keep practicing, little guy
Sep. 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Jul. 1, 2024Canada Day
Jul. 15, 2024Marine Day, Japan
Oct. 7, 2025Fall colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Aug. 25, 2024Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Jan. 4, 2025Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, Vietnam
Holiday hues
Feb. 3, 2025Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England
Aug. 21, 2023Discovery Day in Canada
Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see
Preserving Alaskas natural beauty
Mar. 3, 2026World Wildlife Day
Jul. 22, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
Sep. 7, 2024Annas hummingbird
Sunlight turning silver to gold
Flying the flag for Pride
Nov. 10, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
What are these predators doing?
Oct. 29, 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
May 12, 2025An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
Jan. 16, 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia