Beautiful even on rainy days! Hydrangea spots in Kyoto for Japan’s rainy season

Hydrangeas reach their peak during the rainy season in Japan. We want to show you some famous hydrangea spots in Kyoto. The rainy season might make you want to stay inside because it’s so hot and humid, but these spots will make you excited to go out. Purple, blue, white, pink. Let these colorful hydrangeas soothe your soul.

※Photos are from previous years. Views may differ in 2024.

Mimuroto-ji Temple was nicknamed “Hydrangea Temple”. Enjoy a moment of peace surrounded by hydrangeas.

Mimuroto-ji Temple (三室戸寺) is located in Uji City of Kyoto prefecture, and it is called “Hydrangea Temple”. It’s one of the best spots to see hydrangeas in Japan. During the viewing season, the hydrangea garden (あじさい園) is open to the public and attracts many visitors. Every year, 20,000 hydrangeas bloom to create an extraordinary scene! Revel in the vibrant gradient of hydrangeas. The garden is set to open from June 1st, 2024 (Saturday) to July 7th, 2024 (Sunday). From hydrangea macrophylla and lacecap hydrangeas to the legendary seven-tiered flower. You can see some rare flowers here. Recently, people have been talking about the garden’s heart-shaped hydrangeas. It is said that you’ll be lucky in love if you find one. It’s possible to see one every year, so be sure to pay attention. On Saturdays and Sundays during the hydrangea garden season, there will be light-up displays at night. Seeing hydrangeas floating in the darkness is quite a magical sight. Come and see the beautiful view of endless hydrangeas yourself.

Garden season	＜Hydrangea Garden＞June 1st, 2024 (Saturday) – July 7th, 2024 (Sunday) 8:30AM – 3:40PM
Address	21 Shigatani, Todo, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	・Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: From Sanjo Station, ride the Keihan Line to Mimuroto Station on the Uji Line. 15-min. walk from Mimuroto Station. ・Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: From Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, ride the Keihan Line to Mimuroto Station on the Uji Line. 15-min. walk from Mimuroto Station.
URL	https://www.mimurotoji.com/

Chishaku-in Temple is a hidden spot that’s easily accessible. Take a relaxing walk among the hydrangeas.

Chishaku-in Temple (智積院) is the main temple for a certain type of Buddhism. It is said that Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a famous historical figure in Japan, had built a temple for him here. There are several artworks by famous Japanese artists and national treasures stored in this esteemed temple. If you have the time, be sure to take a look at the art here, too. You have to pay to enter the storage room and the Japanese garden, but the hydrangea garden (あじさい苑) behind the main building is free. It’s not as well-known as more famous spots like Mimuroto-ji Temple, so it’s a hidden gem. Come take a relaxing walk among the vibrant hydrangeas.

Viewing season	9:00AM – 4:30PM
Address	964 Higashikawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	・Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: From Sanjo Station, ride the Keihan Line to Shichijo Station. ・Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: 21-min. walk from the hotel
URL	https://chisan.or.jp/en

So many photo ops! Hydrangea week at Yokoku-ji Temple (Yanagidani Kannon)

Yokoku-ji Temple (Yanagidani Kannon) (柳谷観音 楊谷寺) is known for its hydrangeas. From June to July, it hosts Hydrangea Week and around 5,000 hydrangeas are in bloom. There are several different spots to walk around and enjoy various types of hydrangeas. One of the main attractions is the hydrangea steps that opened in 2022. Past the main building, there are steps decorated with potted hydrangeas of various colors. At the top of the steps, there is a red gate, and it looks beautiful with the flowers. It’s a popular spot, so be mindful when taking pictures. This temple is a bit far from the central part of Kyoto, so you’ll need a car to get there. But, you get to see a lovely Japanese garden, red gates, and more.

Garden season	＜Hydrangea Week＞June 1st, 2024 (Saturday) – June 30th, 2024 (Sunday) 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Address	2 Donotani, Jododani, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	・Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: From Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, get off at Nagaokatenjin Station. Take a bus or taxi. ・Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: 35-min. car ride from the hotel.
URL	https://yanagidani.jp/