Five Select Spots to See Hydrangeas in Kanagawa

1. Hasedera (Kamakura)

Hasedera, a temple on the side of Mt. Kannon, is called the "Western Paradise of Kamakura" for the flowers that adorn the premises year round. The upper grounds, where many of the main buildings are, has an observation deck famous as the best lookout in Kamakura and a scenic path built on the slopes where 2,500 hydrangea bushes of 40 varieties are planted. Because the hydrangeas of Hasedera are on a hill, you can enjoy them from above and below and various angles in between. From the top of the path, there is a view of the hydrangeas with the ocean beyond Yuigahama and the City of Kamakura as the backdrop.

The hydrangeas are most beautiful around mid to late June.

2. Meigetsu-in Temple (Kamakura)

The hydrangeas in Kamakura usually start to color in late May and are in full bloom from early to mid June. In June, you can see colorful hydrangeas all around Kamakura, but Meigetsu-in Temple is known as Kamakura\'s foremost hydrangea spot. With approximately 2,500 hydrangea bushes, the temple is sometimes referred to as "hydrangea temple". Most of the hydrangeas here are "Hime" hydrangea, which are native to Japan and have petals that transform from day to day from a light blue to a vibrant azure. When the hydrangeas are in full bloom in June, it is as if the temple grounds have been flooded by an azure ocean. The "Flower Jizo (Kshitigarbha)" statues on the grounds are adorned with hydrangeas to welcome the visitors, so don\'t forget to pay your respects.

The hydrangeas are most beautiful around mid to late June.

The Meigetsu-in Blue hydrangeas at Meigetsu-in Temple

3. Sankeien Garden (Yokohama)

Sankeien Garden in Honmoku, an area in the southeast of Yokohama City adjacent to Tokyo Bay, has 17 old structures, that have been transferred from Kyoto and Kamakura, positioned to blend in with the garden\'s nature, and 12 (parts of 10 buildings) are designated as important cultural properties of the nation.
A variety of flowers such as cherry blossoms, wisteria, and lotus, bloom in the garden year round. The hydrangeas, which bloom in June, are planted throughout the garden, so visitors can enjoy them while strolling around the grounds. The hydrangeas that gayly adorn the famous architectural structures are well worth seeing. This is a recommended spot to thoroughly enjoy the wonderful harmony between nature and man-made structures.

The hydrangeas are most beautiful around early to late June.

4. Tokeiji (Kamakura)

Tokeiji is a temple that was established in 1285. From the time of its establishment to 1902, it was a nunnery where men were forbidden to enter, and was a sanctuary for women who fled to seek release from marriage. The grounds, which still retain vestiges of its past as a nunnery, has a variety of flowers such as plum blossoms, irises, and hydrangeas, that can be enjoyed year round. The purple Tama hydrangea and the Gaku hydrangea on both sides of the main path that bloom as if to cover the path are a sight to behold. The irises in the iris field at the back of the grounds bloom around the same time as the hydrangeas, so be sure to check them out as well. There is a variety of other flowers, such as conandron ramondioides, schizophragma hydrangeoides, spotted bellflowers and dianthus superbus so you may want to take a leisurely stroll and look to see what is blooming.

The hydrangeas are most beautiful around mid to late June.

5. Hayama Ajisai Park (Hayama)

Hayama Ajisai Park, which is one of the entrances to the Sangaokayama hiking course on the side of Mt. Sangaoka is known as one of Kanagawa Prefecture\'s best places to see hydrangeas. The park has approximately 3,000 hydrangea bushes of various types, including Japanese hydrangea and Gaku hydrangea, that bloom in a variety of colors such as blue, purple and pink in June. The garden is recognized as one of the 100 most beautiful places to see flowers in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is located high up, so there is a view of Sagami Bay, and even of the Tanzawa mountains and Mt. Fuji on a nice day. It\'s a luxurious spot where you can enjoy the hydrangeas while feeling the ocean breeze.

The hydrangeas are most beautiful around mid to late June.

How was it? There are many more wonderful places in Kanagawa to enjoy the sights during the rainy season. Rather than be deterred by the weather, go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery that is unique to the season.