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
May 12, 2026Atlantic puffins, Wales

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Locals know this place simply as ‘the Met’
Jul. 26, 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Oct. 29, 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
Gateway to Latin America
Apr. 9, 2026Sgwd yr Eira waterfall, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales
Aug. 1, 2024Floating fruit market, Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh
Dec. 28, 2023Humpback whale, Disko Bay, Greenland
Sep. 18, 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
Sep. 25, 2023Sea Otter Awareness Week
Sep. 19, 2024International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Sep. 8, 2024International Literacy Day
Trusty water-shifters
Jul. 1, 2024Canada Day
Sep. 10, 2024Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal
Nov. 26, 2025World Olive Tree Day
Mar. 18, 2026Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon, USA
Apr. 11, 2025Tulips, Netherlands
Feb. 20, 2026Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Mar. 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Jan. 25, 2024Snowy owl
This lesson is going swimmingly
Dec. 20, 2025Christmas star lanterns, Germany
Aug. 15, 2025The Canadian National Exhibition is here!
An old bridge in a new light
Hiding in the woods
Where is this ethereal mountain?
Jun. 8, 2025World Oceans Day
Centuries of time in a Delicate Arch
Jul. 20, 2024International Moon Day
Mar. 23, 2026World Meteorological Day