Gorgeous Blooms! Top 10 Hydrangea Spots in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara

Hydrangea Viewing in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Other Kansai Areas

Photo by Pixta
Hydrangeas, or "ajisai" in Japanese, bloom in Japan typically between mid-to-late June and early July, and are thought to symbolize the start of summer. These vibrant flowers blossom right during Japan's rainy season and brighten up the gray skies and rain with their beauty.

There are many areas throughout the Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Shiga prefectures, that boast beautiful hydrangea viewing spots. Read on to learn ten recommended places for appreciating hydrangeas.

10 Hydrangea Spots in Kansai

1. Hills of Hydrangeas: Mimurotoji Temple, Kyoto
2. A Shrine with a Fabulous Garden: Fujinomori Shrine, Kyoto
3. Hydrangeas and a Spectacular View: Maizuru Natural Culture Garden, Kyoto
4. Hydrangea Temple: Kyuanji Temple, Osaka
5. An Urban Flower Oasis: Nagai Botanical Garden, Osaka
6. Endless Flower Fields: Kobe Municipal Arboretum, Hyogo
7. Hydrangeas by the Sea: Sumiyoshi Shrine, Hyogo
8. Gorgeous Temple Hydrangeas: Yatadera Temple, Nara
9. A Cascading Flower Staircase: Hasedera Temple, Nara
10. Hydrangeas by the Lake: Zenchoji, Shiga

Travel to Kyoto and Osaka: Book the JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

1. Hills of Hydrangeas: Mimurotoji Temple, Kyoto

Photo by Pixta

One of the most famous places in Kansai for hydrangeas is Mimurotoji Temple, located in Uji City in Kyoto Prefecture. There are around 20,000 hydrangea shrubs here that all bloom at once, making visitors feel like they are in a floral wonderland as they make their way through the winding, hilly paths surrounded by these colorful flowers. There are around fifty different varieties of hydrangea to see at Mimurotoji.

The hydrangeas here bloom typically in June and can be enjoyed through early July. This is a popular spot for photographers, so be sure to bring your camera when you visit.

Address: Kyoto, Uji, Todoshigatani 21
Website: https://www.mimurotoji.com/ (Japanese only)

Mimuroto Temple

21 Shigatani, Todo, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0013

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2. A Shrine with a Fabulous Garden: Fujinomori Shrine, Kyoto

Fujinomori Shrine is a charming Shinto shrine located in the Fushimi Ward of Kyoto City. Inside the shrine grounds is a well-manicured hydrangea garden that visitors can explore during the rainy season starting in June through early July. In addition to the beautiful blooms, the shrine is associated with bringing visitors good luck in competitions and with horses, and there are various events held throughout the year.

Address: Kyoto, Kyoto, Fushimi, Fukakusa Toriizakicho, 609
Website: http://www.fujinomorijinjya.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

3. Hydrangeas and a Spectacular View: Maizuru Natural Culture Garden, Kyoto

Photo by Pixta

For beautiful hydrangeas and a coastal view in Kyoto, there is no better place to visit than Maizuru Natural Culture Garden. Located in Maizuru City, just north of Kyoto City, this huge botanical garden showcases different blooms throughout the year, and one of the most spectacular sights is the hydrangeas that bloom in June. The hydrangea garden contains around 100,000 hydrangea shrubs and 100 different flower species to appreciate. From certain points in the park, visitors will be able to take in views of the coast in the distance.

Address: Kyoto, Maizuru, Taneji 24-12

4. Hydrangea Temple: Kyuanji Temple, Osaka

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Kyuanji Temple, located in Ikeda City in Osaka Prefecture is one of Osaka's popular spots for hydrangeas. In June, visitors to the shrine will be able to view a variety of hydrangeas on the temple grounds, and a captivating display of the flowers on the temple's pond. This is another picturesque spot so be sure to bring your camera.

Address: Osaka, Ikeda, Fushio 697
Website: https://kyuanji.jp/ (Japanese only)

5. An Urban Flower Oasis: Nagai Botanical Garden, Osaka

Photo by Pixta

For a spot in the city, Nagai Botanical Garden in Osaka is popular year-round with seasonal events. During June and July the hydrangeas blossom, creating a colorful landscape that brightens up the city surroundings. Around 10,000 hydrangeas are planted here, and visitors can enjoy the blooms usually from late May through mid-June. The garden is located on the grounds of Nagai Park and is popular with families, friend groups, and for dates––all can have fun at this urban oasis in the big city.

Address: Osaka, Osaka, Higashi Sumiyoshi, Nagai Koen 1-23
Website: https://botanical-garden.nagai-park.jp.e.aax.hp.transer.com/

Nagai Park

1-1 Nagai Park, Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 54...

Travel to Kyoto and Osaka: Book the JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

6. Endless Flower Fields: Kobe Municipal Arboretum, Hyogo

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Kobe Municipal Arboretum is a garden located in the northern part of Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture. The arboretum is filled with beautiful forests, as well as vibrant hydrangeas and other seasonal flowers. There are around 50,000 hydrangea shrubs here, so visitors can spend hours exploring and taking photographs. The arboretum is easily accessed via car or bus, and those wanting to enjoy the great outdoors can even hike from Shin-Kobe Station.

Address: Hyogo, Kobe, Kita, Yamadacho, Kamitani gami, Nagao 1-2
Website: https://www.kobe-park.or.jp.e.abn.hp.transer.com/shinrin/

7. Hydrangeas by the Sea: Sumiyoshi Shrine, Hyogo

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Sumiyoshi Shrine, located in Akashi, Hyogo, is a small local Shinto shrine right on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. In addition to the charming hydrangeas that visitors can view from the shrine entrance right near the water, there is also a hydrangea garden on the grounds with plenty of blooms to enjoy. The shrine is accessible by train or bus, but for those who are sightseeing in Akashi or staying nearby, it is also fun to travel to the shrine via bicycle and explore the surrounding areas.

Address: Hyogo, Akashi, Uozumi, Nakao 1031
Website: https://www.sumiyoshijinjya.com/ (Japanese only)

8. Gorgeous Temple Hydrangeas: Yatadera Temple, Nara

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Yatadera Temple, also known as the "Jizo and Ajisai Temple," is located in Nara Prefecture. Travelers here can appreciate the traditional temple buildings together with the lovely flowers. There are also charming jizo guardian statues on the grounds that can also be appreciated with the flowers. The 10,000-some hydrangeas at this temple start blooming in mid-May and the flowers usually last until early July, making the hydrangea season here longer than most places.

Address: Nara, Yamato Koriyama, Yata 3506
Website: http://www.yatadera.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

9. A Cascading Flower Staircase: Hasedera Temple, Nara

Photo by Pixta

Another popular spot in Nara Prefecture is Hasedera Temple. During the rainy season, the temple grounds are transformed by bright and colorful hydrangeas. The temple lines the stairs on the grounds with hydrangeas for an incredible visual impact. This is a must-visit temple for anyone in Nara or the greater Kansai region during June and July.

Address: Nara, Sakurai, Hase 731
Website: https://www.hasedera.or.jp/free/?id=345

Hase-dera

731-1 Hase, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture 633-0112

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10. Hydrangeas by the Lake: Zenchoji, Shiga

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Shiga Prefecture also boasts some beautiful locations for flowers––one of them is Zenchoji Temple, just north of Lake Biwa. The temple has a lovely display of hydrangea flowers that all visitors will enjoy. It is recommended to also stop by Lake Yogo, a smaller lake that is nearby that is also locally famous for hydrangeas.

Travel to Kyoto and Osaka: Book the JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

See the Hydrangeas in Kansai

There are gorgeous hydrangea spots in the Kansai region, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hyogo, and Shiga. In addition, there are many more locations where visitors can appreciate these rain-loving flowers. Celebrate the beginning of summer with hydrangeas!

Main photo by Pixta