Special feature on hydrangea spots in Okayama Prefecture! 14 flower spots to visit during the rainy season

• Table of Contents
• 1. Otakiyama Saihoin Temple (Bizen City)
• 2. Kibitsu-jinja Shrine(Okayama City)
• 3. Takebe no Mori Park (Okayama City)
• 4. Okayama Korakuen Garden(Okayama City)
• 5. Misaki Flower Garden (Misaki Town)
• 6. Chohoji Temple (Tsuyama City)
• 7. Tsuyama Castle / Kakuyama Park (Tsuyama City)
• 8. Oyama Hydrangea Road (Mimasaka City)
• 9. Daishoji Temple (Mimasaka City)
• 10. Fumonji Temple (Maniwa City)
• 11. Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbil (Maniwa City)
• 12. Tanematsuyama Park West Garden (Kurashiki City)
• 13. Saitoji Temple (Niimi City)
• 14. Miyama Park (Tamano City)
• MAP of the spots introduced
• Hydrangea flowering information is being updated

1. Otakiyama Saihoin Temple (Bizen City)

As the temple's nickname "Hydrangea Temple" suggests, colorful flowers welcome you on the approach to the temple, and from early to late June, about 1,500 colorful hydrangeas bloom along the approach, soothing the hearts of visitors. During the peak viewing period, the "Hydrangea Festival" is held.

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A delicious stopover spot: Honokura

About 10 minutes by car from Otakiyama Nishihoin. A take-out rice ball shop run by the agricultural production corporation Ichiken Farm. They have a wide variety of rice balls made with Asahi rice grown and harvested in Kato , Bizen City. They also sell freshly milled rice and fresh locally grown vegetables at the store.

Honokura Official Instagram

2. Kibitsu-jinja Shrine(Okayama City)

Early summer flowers to be admired along the beautiful corridorAbout 1,500 colorful hydrangeas bloom on both sides of the approach to Iwayama-gu Shrine, from the middle of the 360m corridor that continues from the back of the main hall, a national treasure.The hydrangeas seen from the top of the approach with the corridor in the background are also very beautiful.

Kibitsujinja shrine

701-1341 931 Kibitsu, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

There is a legend surrounding Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto and Ura, who are said to be the origin of the Momotaro (demon slaying) legend. You can experience legendary settings such as Yagi Rock, where it is said that an arrow was placed to kill demons, and Okamaden, where it is said that the head of a demon was buried. The Narukama Shinto ritual, in which fortune is predicted by the sound of a kettle, is familiar to many people. The main shrine and worship hall, which were rebuilt in 1425, are the only ones in Japan to adopt the architectural style Kibitsu-zukuri (hiyoku irimoya-zukuri, hiyoku irimoya-zukuri), and have been designated as national treasures. Additionally, the beautiful 360m corridor that extends from the main shrine is a historic building that is worth seeing.

A delicious stopover spot: Spice Cafe RATIO

About 20 minutes by car from Kibitsu-jinja Shrine is the Ashimori Townscape Preservation District, which retains traces of the Edo period. In this area, next to the Jinyamachi Ashimori Parking Lot, you can enjoy handmade spice curry, hand-ground coffee, sweets, and more at the old-style cafe.

Spice Cafe RATIO Official Instagram

3. Takebe no Mori Park (Okayama City)

The 3.5km Hydrangea Road is located on the outer perimeter of the park, where you can enjoy various leisure activities throughout the year, decorating the road to the summit with refreshing colors. Refreshing white and blue flowers bloom along the roadside. You can also drive from the park entrance to the summit.

Takebenomori Park

1571-40 Takebe Machidajiko, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture...

It is a park where you can enjoy various activities while feeling the seasons, such as cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, leisure pools and car camping in summer, and viewing autumn leaves in autumn.

A delicious stopover spot: Tabuchi Shoten

About 15 minutes by car from Takebe no Mori Park. Located along the Asahikawa River, this nostalgic cafe is a mix of old and new. The shaved ice topped with juicy original syrup made with plenty of Seto Inland Sea fruits is a popular summer menu item.

Tabuchi Shoten Official Instagram

4. Okayama Korakuen Garden(Okayama City)

A refreshing floral scene found in one of Japan's Three Great Gardens Hydrangeas are planted along the waterways that are made by pumping up underground water. The scenery of irises and hydrangeas blooming at the same time is refreshing and seems to help you forget the humid heat.

Okayama Korakuen Garden

703-8257 1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

A large garden built by Tsunamasa Ikeda, the second lord of the Okayama domain, as a place for relaxation. The spacious garden, decorated with seasonal flowers, is a different world just like the Edo period. In 1952, it was designated as a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” as a historical and cultural heritage site, and received a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Various events are held throughout the four seasons, such as tea gathering and moon viewing, and for a limited time, you can enjoy the ``Fantasy Garden,'' which is specially opened at night and lights up the garden in a different way than during the day. Volunteer guides (free of charge) are also popular with tourists.

Delicious stopover spot: Fukuda Chaya

Located in Okayama Korakuen Garden. A tea shop where you can enjoy matcha made with carefully selected tea leaves, parfaits, shaved ice, zenzai and other seasonal sweets while admiring the beautiful scenery of the four seasons. It's the perfect place to take a break during your stroll through the gardens.

Fukuda Chaya Official Website

5. Misaki Flower Garden (Misaki Town)

A flower garden with 20,000 hydrangeas of 100 varieties blooming. Located at an altitude of 400m, this is a spot where you can enjoy a variety of flowers. There are an overwhelming number of hydrangeas, about 100 varieties and 20,000 plants! You can enjoy the colorful colors and types of hydrangeas while strolling through the 20-hectare site.

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A delicious stopover spot: Makibanomori Food & Shop

About 10 minutes by car from Misaki Kazanen. A restaurant located inside "Makiba no Yakata." Enjoy local produce menu items such as Okayama Wagyu beef ribeye steak, pork cutlet curry, carbonara, bolognese, and pizza.

Makiba no Yakata Restaurant "Makiba no Mori FOOD & SHOP" Official Website

6. Chohoji Temple (Tsuyama City)

A temple at the foot of Mount Kannanbi in the southern part of Tsuyama City, where about 3,500 hydrangeas bloom in competition with each other. When Tsuyama Castle was demolished in the Meiji era, tall sliding doors depicting hydrangeas were presented as a gift, which prompted the temple to plant them. Currently, about 3,500 hydrangeas bloom in competition with each other during the rainy season.

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Tasty stop: Nishilma 25

About 7 minutes by car from Chohoji Temple. Located in the Josai Traditional Buildings Preservation District in Tsuyama City, this gallery utilizes a building that has been handed down for generations since the Edo period. It can also be used as a cafe, where you can enjoy lunch made with organic vegetables and brown rice, as well as baked goods made with seasonal ingredients.

Nishilma 25 Official Website

7. Tsuyama Castle / Kakuyama Park (Tsuyama City)

Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park), famous for its hydrangea cherry blossoms that stand out against the Bitchu Yagura turret and stone walls, is a hydrangea spot known only to those in the know. The sight of the blossoms blooming under the Bitchu Yagura turret is particularly charming, combining with the heavy stone walls and historical buildings. In addition to blue and red-purple hydrangeas, you can also see lacecap hydrangeas.

Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)

135 Yamashita, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture 708-0022

The symbol of Tsuyama City, which has been selected as one of Japan's ``100 Famous Castles'' and ``Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.'' The castle was built in 1616 by Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident. All of the buildings were demolished due to the Meiji Castle Abandonment Order, but Bicchu Yagura was restored in 2005 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle's construction. It has become a new popular spot along with the stone wall that boasts a height of over 10 meters. It is also known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, and the scenery with about 1,000 cherry blossom trees in full bloom is spectacular. Cherry blossom season: Early April to mid-April (approximately 1,000 trees) Wisteria season: Late April to early May Azaleas season: Late April to early May Hydrangea season: Mid-June to late June Autumn leaves season: Late October to mid-November

Delicious stopover spot: kitchen hitotogohan

About 8 minutes by car from Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park). A cafe in a complex that was renovated from an old kindergarten building. Popular items include omelet rice with a choice of organic tomato sauce, Hiruzen Jersey beef demi-glace sauce, stew-based white sauce, and hamburger steak served in a skillet.

kitchen hitotogohan official website

8. Oyama Hydrangea Road (Mimasaka City)

This path leads to an observation spot where you can see the beautiful blue gradation of the Yunogo Onsen town below, and in the distance, the highest peak in Okayama Prefecture, Ushiroyama, as well as mountains such as Nagisan. Approximately 3,000 deep blue and purple hydrangeas blend beautifully into the greenery of the mountains.

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Oyama Hydrangea Road (Oyama Observation Deck)

656-1 Kose, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture 707-0045

It is an observation spot where you can see the Yugo Onsen town in Mimasaka City, the leisurely flowing Yoshino River, and in the distance, Okayama Prefecture's highest peaks, Ushiroyama and Nagisan, and the mountains beyond the Tsuyama Basin. Hydrangea season: Mid-June to mid-July

Delicious stopover spots: Farm Cafe Yunogo/Yunohana Garden

About 7 minutes by car from Oyama Hydrangea Road. Located in Yunogo Onsen Town, this facility allows you to enjoy skin-beautifying hot springs and local delicacies in a picnic style. You can order croissant sandwiches, pizza, and sweets made with fruit from the facility's own farm at the attached cafe and enjoy them in the open garden. There is also a foot bath corner in the garden.

Farm Cafe Yunogo/Yunohana Garden Official Website

9. Daishoji Temple (Mimasaka City)

Strolling surrounded by 5,000 hydrangeas This is a historic temple that is said to have been founded by imperial decree of Emperor Shomu, and is the 13th temple of the "Twenty-four Temples of Sanyo Flowers." With around 5,000 hydrangeas planted around the temple, it is also famous as the hydrangea temple.

*Currently, entry to the mountain is prohibited due to bears (July 2023).

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Daishoji Temple

1 Daishoji, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture 709-4213

It is a historic temple that is said to have been founded in 738 by the imperial order of Emperor Shomu, and is also the 13th temple of the ``Twenty-Four Temples of Sanyo Flower''. The precincts are surrounded by seasonal flowers, and hydrangeas are planted in the shape of the character ``heart,'' allowing you to take a leisurely stroll along the promenade. You can see Aizen Myoo in the 400-year-old main temple, and see many temple treasures such as the room used by the feudal lord and the palanquin of the imperial envoy to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, as well as the beautiful Japanese garden. If you make a reservation, you can also enjoy ``mitera cuisine'' and experience sutra copying.

Delicious stop: Bon appetit

About 30 minutes by car from Daishoji Temple. A Western restaurant with a wide variety of menu items, including omelet rice, pasta, hamburgers, pizza, risotto, and stew. They also serve 100% Mimasaka venison hamburgers, which are made with fresh venison and are known for being surprisingly juicy.

Bon Appetit Official Website

10. Fumonji Temple (Maniwa City)

Hana no Yamadera Temple in early summerThe Hana no Yamadera Temple is a place where you can experience the colors of the seasons, such as cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, and maples. In mid-June, about 3,000 hydrangeas bloom in a variety of colors, delighting visitors.

Fumonji Temple

719-3132 2127 Taharasanjo, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

Known as the ``Flower Mountain Temple,'' you can enjoy flowers throughout the year, such as rhododendrons in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, succulents in summer, and buckwheat in autumn. In particular, there are four seasonal cherry blossoms that bloom twice in spring and autumn, and in autumn you can enjoy the contrast between the red of the maples and the pink of the four seasonal cherry blossoms.

A delicious stopover spot: Gelato Daigozakura

About 20 minutes by car from Fumonji Temple. A gelato shop that uses fresh Jersey milk and local ingredients to provide seasonal flavors. Menu items that focus on ingredients such as "Sakekasu An", which combines sake lees from Gozanshu Junmai Daiginjo and smooth bean paste from Fujito Manju, are also popular.

Gelato Daigozakura Official Instagram

11. Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbil (Maniwa City)

A garden on the plateau overlooking the Hiruzen Three Peaks. Located in Maniwa City, overlooking the Hiruzen Three Peaks. With a total area of ​​3 hectares, it is home to one of the largest lavender fields and herb gardens in western Japan, as well as a hydrangea garden with about 3,000 hydrangeas in bloom.

Hiruzen Herb Garden herbill

1480-64 Hiruzen Nishikabe, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 717-0604

This facility was built in Nishi-Kayabe, Hiruzen, Maniwa City, overlooking the Hiruzen Sanza, with the aim of interacting with people in the city through plants. The site, which has a total area of 3 hectares, includes one of the largest lavender fields in western Japan, an herb garden full of herb flowers, a mountain park with a collection of local wild plants and wild plants, a hydrangea garden with about 3,000 hydrangeas, and a wreath-making facility. There is a Kaori-no-Yakata with a workshop and a shop/restaurant. Hydrangea: Late June to early July (approximately 3,000 plants) Lavender: Early July to early August (approximately 10,000 plants) Herbs: Mid-May to late November (approximately 200 types) Wreath making experience: About 1 hour Price: From about 1,500 yen

Delicious stopover spot: Hiruzen Winery

About 10 minutes by car from Hiruzen Herb Garden Harville. A winery that brews wine using wild grapes, which is rare nationwide. In addition to wine, the cafe offers an assortment of cheeses made in the Hiruzen-kogen Heights and soft serve ice cream made with Hiruzen Jersey milk and wild grapes.

Hiruzen Winery Official Website

12. Tanematsuyama Park West Garden (Kurashiki City)

Approximately 13,000 hydrangeas in a park that makes the most of the natural terrain! This popular park has a panoramic view of the Mizushima industrial area and plenty of play equipment for children. Approximately 13,000 hydrangeas are planted in the park that makes the most of the natural terrain.

Tanematsuyama Park West Park

426-1 Fukuda, Fukuda-cho, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama 712-8041

[A park with a panoramic view of Kurashiki city] A comprehensive park that was established near the summit of Mt. Tanematsu (258m above sea level) located south of Kurashiki city center, making good use of the natural topography. There are many different kinds of play equipment in the park. It is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot where approximately 1,200 cherry trees are in full bloom in spring.

Delicious stop: Patisserie Oxalis

About 10 minutes by car from the West Garden of Tanematsuyama Park. A popular Western confectionery shop with delicate and gorgeous cakes decorating the showcase. In addition to the deliciousness of the takeaway cakes, the freshly baked and plated dessert "Assiette Dessert" (limited time only / reservation required by phone in advance) is also a hot topic.

Patisserie Oxalis Official Website

13. Saitoji Temple (Niimi City)

Said to have been built by Kobo Daishi Kukai, Seido-ji Temple is also famous as a temple where hydrangeas bloom in early summer. The mountainside beside the pure white Senbon Torii, a popular photo spot, is also decorated with beautiful hydrangeas.

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Saidouji Temple

661 Hoso, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture 719-2552

In early summer, irises and hydrangeas bloom on the field in front of the temple. Hydrangeas are in full bloom in the mountains from late June to late July. Saitoji Temple, which is said to have been built by Kukai (Kobo Daishi), has a white stone statue named after Hakuryu, who is said to have traveled to Japan from the Tang Dynasty with Kukai during the Heian period and brought the pottery manufacturing technology that became the basis of Hoso ware. There are 78 torii gates (total length 86m, 78 gates).

A delicious stopover spot: JA Sunny Country Okayama Yakiniku Restaurant "Chiyagyu"

About 30 minutes by car from Saito-ji Temple. This JA yakiniku restaurant procures whole Chiya beef from a directly managed ranch. You can enjoy Chiya beef, which is said to be the root of Japanese beef brands nationwide, to your heart's content. This restaurant also offers set meals and rice bowls, allowing you to casually enjoy rare brand beef.

Yakiniku restaurant "Chiyagyu" official website

14. Miyama Park (Tamano City)

A vast park full of nature, with hydrangeas. The park is about 15 times the size of Okayama Korakuen Garden, and is home to over 300 varieties of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, camellias, azaleas, and more, with about 150,000 plants. The best time to see hydrangeas is in mid-June, with about 3,500 hydrangeas of 30 varieties. They can be seen in various places in the park, such as the promenade by Akamatsu Pond and the Miyama English Garden.

Miyama Park

2-4490 Tai, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture 706-0001

This park is located in the center of Tamano City, adjacent to National Route 30, and has five ponds dotted around it and is surrounded by green pine trees, with an elevation of 50m to 180m. There are approximately 150,000 trees planted in the park, including over 300 species, including approximately 7,000 cherry trees, plums, camellias, azaleas, and maples.

Delicious stopover spot: Miyama cafe PUUT

Located inside the roadside station next to Miyama Park. You can enjoy a variety of dishes made with plenty of vegetables and fresh fish, as well as ingredients from Okayama Prefecture, which are also sold at the roadside station, as well as inari sushi made with Tamano's famous millet, homemade sweets, and breakfast. There is also a take-out menu, perfect for a picnic in the park.

Miyama Park Roadside Station

706-0001 2-4644 Tai, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture

This roadside station is located in a lush green area at an altitude of 50 to 180 meters, almost in the Chuo of Tamano City . It has a shop selling agricultural and marine products and local specialties, as well as a bakery and restaurant. Food trucks are also set up outside, mainly on weekends and holidays. There is plenty to see in the adjacent park, including a "walking zone" full of nature with over 100 types of flowers and trees, a "play zone" with a putt-putt golf course and a playground, and an "English garden."

MAP of the spots introduced

MAP of the spots introduced

Hydrangea flowering information is being updated

★We provide information on when hydrangeas are blooming. Use this as reference when you go out.

Click here for information on hydrangea blooming