※This article was published at December 2014.※
![20141211-09-07-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-07-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
![20141211-09-07-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-07-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
Chrysanthemum flower is the symbol of Japan and you can even find it on the crest of the Imperial family.
This flower called “kiku” in Japanese, has many varieties -with many shapes and blooms in autumn.
![20141211-09-01-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-01-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
During the month of November, you can find a lot of “Chrysanthemum contests” in big shrines or famous places.
For example, there’s one in front of Odawara Castle, in Kanagawa prefecture.
![20141211-09-08-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-08-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
The Chrysanthemum are grown by flower fans, then exposed to the public.
![20141211-09-09-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-09-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
You can see the name of the person who grew it on the label.
Look at those big flowers!
They are so huge!
![20141211-09-05-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-05-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
![20141211-09-12-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-12-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
As you can see, there are many shapes with thin petals.
![20141211-09-07-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-07-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
This one looks like pompoms.
![20141211-09-11-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-11-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
![20141211-09-03-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-03-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
You can also find some bonsai chrysanthemum. It looks so beautiful.
![20141211-09-04-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-04-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
![20141211-09-02-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/Mpf/Articles/2014/12/11/20141211-09-02-Chrysanthemum-kiku-bonsai.jpg)
Judges are gathering to decide about the most beautiful flower of each category.
I wonder which one will win, they're all wonderful.
If you like flowers, don’t forget to check out chrysanthemum contests during your travel in Japan!
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