25th International Orchid Festival

 After we went to see plum blossoms, we were heading back to the metro and passed by Tokyo's baseball stadium.  There were a lot of people around, standing in line with tickets.  Raymond asked what was going on because the baseball teams are in training right now.  We were led to this poster and told that it was the 25th International Orchid Festival.  Hmm.....could be interesting.  Could also be dumb for the kids.  I love orchids and enjoyed tending for two orchid plants that I have had for a long time.  I had to let them go when we moved to Tokyo, so I wanted to go the festival.  Through discussion, it was decided that we would all go check it out. 

 We didn't really know what to expect, but were blown away by the plethora of orchids that we beheld as we entered the stadium.

 There were literally thousands of orchids, all different varieties. 

There were also booths that were decorated in many different ways, but the focus was always on the orchids.  The booths were judged in a contest of some sort, and the results were displayed at each one.  We were amazed at the creativity and sheer beauty that we saw.  It became a family discussion at each booth as to whether or not we liked the booth and if we agreed with the results of the contest.

 This one was awesome.  They used small orchids to re-create kimonos that are often hung up as decoration. 

 These orchids had glitter spray on them and also had been stamped or stenciled. 

 Our jaws were open through the entire thing as we walked around and looked at all the beautiful displays.  We all thought it was awesome--even the boys!

There was also an area where individual orchids were judged.  Some had ribbons on them.  Having grown orchids myself for a few years now, we all appreciated the work and care that went into each breathtaking plant.

 Every orchid was different.  Some looked like faces with long mustaches, others didn't even look like an orchid at all.  Some were displayed growing on a piece of bark instead of in a pot, like they do naturally.  It was fun to look at them all.

 The Okinawa Aquarium brought in a very large fish tank for the event, and the kids spend some time watching the fish.  There was a very large eel that kept them entertained, along with a puffer fish that actually blew itself up in front of the kids. 

 This is a silk replica of Queen Elizabeth's wedding bouquet that is always on display in England.  It was sent to Tokyo by the British government just for this event.

 Kind of an interesting story goes along with this bouquet.  The queen walked down the aisle of Westminister Abbey holding her bouquet of orchids, but some time during the couple's return to the Palace, the bouquet was mislaid and couldn't be found in time for the wedding pictures.
A week later, the florist was asked to make an identical bouquet so that the bride and groom could be rephotographed - this time with her wedding bouquet. For Princess Diana's wedding, the florist was asked to make two identical bouquets because someone at the Palace remembered what had happened in 1947.
We started this day wanting to look at plum blossoms, but because we stumbled upon this festival, we will be dreaming about orchids tonight!