A myriad of orchids enchanted visitors at Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo Ward on Saturday, kicking off a nine-day floral event crowned with prizewinning orchid works.
The Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival features about 100,000 orchid plants covering 3,000 varieties from more than 20 different countries or regions.
According to the organizer, the orchid contest drew 1,462 entries encompassing six divisions based on display quality, fragrance and other themes.
Many displays amazed the public with their size or originality, including a peacock made out of white orchids.
The event attracts various venders and offers lectures on the exotic flowers as well as floral-design demonstrations.
As powerful scents filled the venue, visitors strolled around and gazed at the works or took photos as others shopped for flowers to take home.
A couple from Tokyo said they have been coming to the orchid festival each year for the past 10 years. They even grow the pungent blossoms.
"As it is remarkable with cattleya, I think one of the fascinating things about orchids is their gorgeousness, such as the shapes of the flowers and their colors," the husband said.
