11 Best Shrines, Temples, and Gardens to See Hydrangeas in Japan

Get to know the different hydrangea varieties

The hydrangea species native to Japan, known as gaku-ajisai, originally had a lacecap flower shape distinct from the common ball-shaped hydrangeas. Over time, breeding efforts popularized the ball-shaped variety during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868.) 

The different types of hydrangeas

Hydrangea flowers are categorized into lacecap, mophead, and cone-shaped types.

Hydrangeas can also be classified by their three blooming patterns: gaku-saki for the frilly lacecap blooms, temari-saki for the ball-shaped blooms, and yaezaki for the hydrangeas with multilayered petals.

Why hydrangeas change color

Hydrangeas contain a plant pigment called anthocyanin, and their color changes depending on the acidity in the soil. In acidic soil, they appear blue, while in alkaline soil, they turn pink.

The primary colors they represent are blue, purple, and pink, with shades gradually shifting from blue to pink, then fading to green before turning into vivid red. After breeding improvements, hydrangeas can feature up to seven different color variations.

Must-visit shrines and temples to view hydrangeas in Japan

From spots in Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan’s north to Fukuoka Prefecture in the south, there are plenty of shrines, temples, and gardens to admire these charming hydrangea blooms.

Many temples and shrines in Japan feature chozu, water basins used for purification before prayer, with some turning into hanachozu multiple times a year. As hana means “flower” in English, the basins are filled with beautiful floating floral arrangements made of seasonal flowers like hydrangeas.

In addition to hanachozu, look out for omamori amulets and goshuin (shrine ink stamps) with hydrangea motifs to commemorate your visit.

Hokkaido: Collect limited-edition hydrangea-themed goshuincho stamp books

Situated near the renowned Lake Toya in Hokkaido, Usu Zenkoji Temple is a beloved spot for cherry blossom viewing, boasting several cherry trees that are over 200 years old. Alongside cherry blossoms, you can admire azaleas in May and hydrangeas in July, earning it the nickname "Temple of Flowers."

When you visit Usu Zenkoji Temple, be sure not to miss out on the three stunning goshuincho stamp books offered by the temple, each adorned with intricate designs. The deep blue edition features cherry blossoms, while the black and white editions showcase detailed patterns of azaleas, ginkgo leaves, and hydrangeas.

Usu Zenkoji Temple
Address: 124 Usu-machi, Date-shi, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 25-min walk from JR Usu Station
Blooming period: Mid-July to mid-August
Official website: https://www.usu-zenkoji.jp/en/

Akita: Marvel at a blue carpet of hydrangeas at Unshoji Temple

In the past 15 years, the distinctive cultivation technique employed by Unshoji Temple's head priest has led to a greater number of flowers compared to common hydrangea shrubs, resulting in a stunning carpet of blue flowers during the peak bloom period.

The hydrangeas are also illuminated at night. During the peak bloom season, the local "Namahage" sightseeing shuttle bus also stops at Unshoji Temple for convenient access.

Unshoji Temple
Address: 57 Kitaura, Kitaura, Oga-shi, Akita Prefecture
Access: 26-min Oga North Line bus ride from JR Hadachi Station to Kitaura bus stop
Blooming period: Early June to mid-July
Official website: https://oganavi.com/ajisai/ (in Japanese only)

Namahage Shuttle Service
Official website: https://oganavi.com/namahage_shuttle/en/

Iwate: Admire 40,000 hydrangeas among cedars in Michinoku Hydrangea Garden

The hydrangeas of Michinoku Hydrangea Garden

Nestled within a cedar forest, Michinoku Hydrangea Garden is one of Japan's largest hydrangea gardens. Spanning an area of 15 hectares, the site boasts over 40,000 hydrangea shrubs of 400 varieties along three different hiking trails.

Michinoku Hydrangea Garden
Address: 111 Harasawa, Maikawa, Ichinoseki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Access: 30-min bus ride from JR Ichinoseki Station to Mizukami bus stop; from there, it's a 20-min walk
Blooming period: Late June to late July
Official website: https://www.ichitabi.jp/en/index.html

Saitama: Visit Gongendo Park's hydrangea festival

Gongendo Park in Saitama Prefecture offers picturesque views of pink cherry blossoms and golden rapeseed flowers in spring, plus vibrant hydrangeas in early summer.

During the annual Gongendo Hydrangea Festival held from June to July, enjoy 10,000 hydrangeas of 100 species, and shop for local products and snacks at the Touge no Cha park cafe.

Gongendo Park
Address: 887-3 Oaza Uchigoku, Satte-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 30-min walk from Satte Station (Tobu Railway)
Blooming Period: Early June to early July
Official website: https://gongendo.jp/home-english/

Kanagawa: Walk along hydrangea paths at Meigetsuin and Hasedera temples

Hasedera Temple Meigetsuin Temple is a must-visit spot in Kamakura, renowned for its picturesque approach lined with over 2,500 hydrangea shrubs, earning it the moniker "Hydrangea Temple." During the rainy season, the temple’s charming blooms are famously dubbed "Meigetsuin Blue." Located near the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Hasedera Temple’s hydrangea path along the hillside showcases approximately 2,500 shrubs of 40 varieties.

Meigetsuin Temple
Address: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station
Blooming period: Late May to late June
Official website: https://trip-kamakura.com/place/230.html

Hasedera Temple
Address: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 5-min from Hase Station (Enoshima Electric Railway)
Blooming period: Late May to late June
Official website: https://www.hasedera.jp/en/

Kanagawa: Spot beautiful hanachozu at Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine swapped its traditional ladles for free-flowing water through a bamboo pipe in their chozu water basin. The basin is now decorated with vibrant seasonal flowers, offering a delightful chance to admire hydrangeas during their peak bloom.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Address: 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from JR Kamakura Station or Enoden Kamakura Station
Blooming period: Mid to late June
Official website: https://www.hachimangu.or.jp/en/

For those journeying from Tokyo to see these beautiful flowers, opt for the JR Tokyo Wide Pass to explore hydrangea spots in and around Tokyo, including Kamakura, at a great discount.

Yamanashi: Hike amidst hydrangeas at Mount Tenjo

Mount Tenjo’s Hydrangea Hiking Trail is situated near Lake Kawaguchi, one of the area’s famous Fuji Five Lakes. It features around 100,000 hydrangea shrubs along the slopes, displaying vibrant colors from July to August after the rainy season. Accessible from Tenjoyama Gokoku Shrine, the trail involves hiking, so wear comfortable shoes when visiting to admire the flowers.

Mount Tenjo Hydrangea Hiking Trail (Tenjoyama Gokoku Shrine)
Address: 4042 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Kawaguchiko Station (Fuji Kyuko Line)
Blooming period: Mid-July to late August
Official website: https://kawaguchiko.net/park/tenjoyama-park/ (in Japanese only)

Shizuoka: See Japan's largest hydrangea display in Shimoda Park

Shimoda Park in Shizuoka Prefecture is renowned for its vast expanse of hydrangeas, spanning 33 hectares with approximately 150,000 shrubs, making it Japan's largest hydrangea display. During the June Hydrangea Festival, the park showcases 3 million blooms, offering picturesque views against the backdrop of Shimoda Port.

Shimoda Park
Address: 3-chome, Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access: 20-min walk from Shimoda Station (Izu Kyuko Line)
Blooming period: Early June to late June
Official website: https://www.city.shimoda.shizuoka.jp/category/100100midokoro/110769.html (in Japanese only)

Kyoto: Visit the origin of hanachozu at Yanagidani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple

In Japanese temples and shrines, the customary practice of purifying oneself before prayer, called temizu or chozu, involves washing your hands with water flowing from bamboo pipes or dragon statues at special water basins.

However, hanachozu refers to the floating flowers on the water's surface, which is said to have originated at Kyoto's Yanagidani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple, historically known for offering healing prayers.

The site is not only popular for its hydrangeas in the summer, but also for its colorful foliage in the fall.

Yanagidani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple
Address: 2 Donotani Jododani, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min drive from Hankyu Nishiyama Tennozan Station
Blooming period: Mid to late June
Official website: https://yanagidani.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Kyoto: Marvel at 20,000 blooming hydrangeas at Mimurotoji Temple

Mimurotoji Temple Mimurotoji Temple is one of Kyoto's top spots for admiring hydrangeas, being home to a garden filled with around 20,000 hydrangea shrubs of various types. The garden typically welcomes visitors from early June to early July, with best views expected throughout June.

On weekends, the temple also hosts a light-up event from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mimurotoji Temple also features hanachozu filled with hydrangeas, as well as ema (prayer plaques) and hydrangea-themed heart-shaped omamori amulets.

Mimurotoji Temple
Address: 21 Shigatani Todo, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 15-min walk from Keihan Mimurodo Station, or 8-min taxi ride from JR Uji Station
Blooming period: Mid to late June
Official website: https://www.mimurotoji.com/ (in Japanese only)

To save on transportation expenses while exploring the various hydrangea spots scattered across the Kansai Region, opt for the Kansai Area Pass or the Kansai Wide Area Pass, provided by Japan Railways. The Kansai Area Pass includes one-day passes for unlimited rides on Hankyu Railway and Kyoto Municipal Subway trains, perfect for travelers who are planning to visit Kyoto and Osaka.

Meanwhile, the Kansai Wide Area Pass, valid for five consecutive days, allows you to not only explore the Kansai Region but to venture further to Tottori and Okayama prefectures in the Chugoku Region, as well as Takamatsu City in Shikoku, Japan's fourth largest island.

Fukuoka: See hanachozu at the vermillion Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka is renowned for its plum blossoms, but it's also home to approximately 5,000 hydrangea shrubs of 40 varieties in its Kitagami Garden. Inside the shrine's expansive chozu basin, vibrant hydrangeas float on the water's surface against the striking vermilion shrine buildings, making for stunning photo ops.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access: 5-min walk from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station
Blooming period: Mid-June to early July
Official website: https://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/en/

Discover the best hydrangea spots in Japan

If you're visiting Japan during its rainy season in late May and early June, be sure to keep an eye out for these charming blooms and enjoy the sight of beautiful blue, purple, and pink colors.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.