Hydrangea is a flower with a long history and tradition in Japan. Because of its beauty and special significance, Japanese people adore hydrangea flowers the same way that they do Sakura flowers during spring.
If the plum blossom is the sign of early spring, hydrangea (Ajisai in Japanese) is a sign that summer is approaching. The hydrangea blooming season starts from the beginning of June and lasts until the middle of July, coinciding with the Japanese rainy season. Hydrangea blooms in various colors ranging from white, blue, turquoise, pale red to dark purple.
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The Significance of Hydrangea in Japan
It is said that the history of the hydrangeas dates from the Nara period (710-794) when they began to appear in different poems of the period. Later, during the Edo period (1618-1868), the flower was honored by the Samurai due to its ability to change colors.
Hydrangea is a type of flowering plant with over 70 varieties native to the Americas and Asia. In Japan, the most famous native variety is the Hortensia Macrophylla, which grows in the wild all across Japan.
In Japanese, another name for hydrangea is Nanahenge, which means that it changes seven times. This is because the color of its petals change depending on the pH of the soil during its growth. Based on the pH of the soil, the color of the petals varies from dark blue, light blue, light purple, purple to white. That is why the flowers can look different every moment. The delicate and subtle combination of colors makes the hydrangea a beloved flower. This distinctive characteristic has given this flower a symbolic meaning in Japanese literature.
In Japanese poems and other artworks, the hydrangea represents a changing and fickle heart. Because the hydrangea can change color according to the environment, the meaning of hydrangea is also often associated with what is imperishable and immortal.
Generally, hydrangeas grow on the grounds of temples and shrines, gardens, parks, and riverbanks. Hydrangeas in full bloom are a striking display that you shouldn’t miss if you are in Japan during this season. Rainy days are the best time to enjoy the Ajisai. The petals look especially beautiful when they shine under the raindrops and morning dew.
Colorful Hydrangea Spots around Aichi
Enjoy Japan’s rainy season by viewing hydrangeas in full bloom!
We introduce our top recommendations to see hydrangeas around Aichi Prefecture.
Tsuruma Park (Nagoya)
Tsuruma Park is considered one of the 100 best places in Japan to see cherry trees (Sakura) in bloom. In addition to cherry blossoms, Tsuruma Park is also a great place to enjoy the hydrangea and Japanese iris flowers, which also bloom during this season.
In the southern part of Tsuruma Park, next to the baseball field, a road called the Hydrangea Walkway has around 2,300 hydrangea flowers.
Tsuruma Park (鶴舞公園)
Best Time: Middle of June
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 1-1 Tsurumai, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0064
Access: Take the Tsurumai line or the JR Chuo line to Tsurumai station. From there, it is a 1-minute walk.
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Chayagasaka Park (Nagoya)
Located in the eastern part of Nagoya is Chayagasaka Park, filled with 4,300 hydrangea flowers. The park is built around the Chayagasaka pond and has walking paths running through the park. The park makes a great place to escape from the city’s hustle and get some fresh air.
Chayagasaka Park (茶屋ヶ坂公園)
Best Time: Middle of June
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: Shirutani Nabeyauenocho, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0017
Access: Take the Meijo line to Chayagasaka Station. From there, it is a 7-minute walk.
Google Maps
Katahara Onsen Ajisai No Sato (Gamagori)
Located in Mikawa Bay, Katahara Onsen is an area of hot springs well known for its large hydrangea garden called Ajisai no Sato or Hydrangea Village.
Fifty thousand of these magnificent flower shrubs embellish the shore of a scenic lake. And at nightfall, the garden lights up, giving a magical air to the already beautiful lake.
Katahara Onsen Ajisai No Sato (形原温泉 あじさいの里)
Best Time: June 1st to 30th 2023
Light up: 17:00 – 21:00
Entry Fee: Adults 500 yen, free for children under 15 years
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Address: Ichinosawa 28-1, Kanehiracho, Gamagori, Aichi 443-0102
Access: From Nagoya Station, take the JR Tokaido line to Gamagori station. During the Ajisai festival, you will find direct buses from Gamagori station to Mikawa Bay from the bus terminal.
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Mimo Jinja (Ichinomiya)
This small shrine is very popular for its annual festival called Bisai Ajisai Festival. During this festival, more than 8,000 hydrangea shrubs from 70 different varieties bloom around the shrine.
And in addition to the flowering hydrangea bushes, every year, the Temizuya (a small basin of water located at the entrance to Shinto shrines where you can purify yourself before entering) is filled with colorful hydrangea flowers. The flower-filled water basin is a trendy location with thousands of people visiting every year to take pictures.
Mimo Jinja (御裳神社)
Best Time: Beginning to middle of June
Light up: 19:00 – 21:00
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 16:00
Address: 1145 Miyanishi, Sanjo, Ichinomiya, Aichi 494-0003
Access: Take the Meitetsu train to Ichinomiya or take the JR train to Owari Ichinomiya station. Ichinomiya station and Owari Ichinomiya station are connected. You can take the Metitestu “Q” bus from the stations and get off at the “Bisai Chōsha Zen” stop. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk.
Google Maps
Otsuka Shokaiji Temple (Inazawa)
Otsuka Shokaiji Temple is home to around 10,000 hydrangea flowers and several important cultural properties. Located a short train ride from Nagoya, this temple houses three important cultural properties: the main hall, pagoda, and Taho pagoda.
The 10,000 hydrangea flowers are made up of roughly 90 different varieties.
Otsuka Shokaiji Temple (大塚性海寺)
Best Time: Beginning to middle of June
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 16:00
Address: 1-33 Otsuki Minami, Inazawa, Aichi 492-8214
Access: Take the Meitetsu train to Konomiya station. From there, it’s a 30-minute walk.
Google Maps
Honkoji Temple (Kota)
Honkoji Temple is the family temple of the Fukozu-Matsudaira clan. It is also known as the Temple of Hydrangeas in Mikawa. Here about 10,000 hydrangea shrubs bloom around the temple, decorating it with different shades of pastel colors.
During the festival of hydrangeas, the place has small stalls where they sell local products.
Honkoji Temple (本光寺)
Best Time: Middle of June to beginning of July
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 17 Fukamizo, Uchiyama, Kota-cho, Nukata-gun, Aichi 444-0124
Access: Take the JR Tokaido line and get off at Sangane Station. It’s a 5-minute walk from the station.
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Hydrangea Road – Sanganesan Skyline (Nishio)
The Sanganesan Skyline is a 5.1-kilometer-long scenic drive that runs along the ridge of Mount Sangane, from Nishio City to Katahara Onsen in Gamagori. Driving on this road allows you to experience beautiful panoramic views of the city of Gamagori and the sea.
With 70,000 hydrangeas blooming along the road, it is easy to understand why it is nicknamed the Ajisai Line. If the 70,000 hydrangeas along the roadside are not enough, another 10,000 are located around the parking area at the peak.
Hydrangea Road – Sanganesan Skyline (あじさいロード三ヶ根山スカイライン）
Best Time: June to July
Entry Fee: Motorcycle 280 yen, small vehicle 420 yen, microbus 1,100 yen, bus 1,760 yen
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 20:00
Address: Ushikorobi 49-1 Kanehiracho, Gamagori, Aichi 443-0102
Access: The skyline is only accessible by vehicle. You can reach the skyline in about 90 minutes from Nagoya.
Google Maps
Kokayama Kotokuin Temple (Toyoake)
Kokayama Kotokuin temple was moved from Koyasan (Wakayama Prefecture) to Aichi Prefecture in 1869. The temple is located in one of the areas famous for the Battle of Okehazama. The Battle of Okehazama took place on June 12, 1560, when 2,500 soldiers under the command of Oda Nobunaga defeated the 25,000 invading troops of Imagawa Yoshimoto.
The gardens around the temple are surrounded by large bamboo trees that make a mystical and spectacular landscape together with the hydrangea flowers.
Kokayama Kotokuin Temple (香華山 高徳院)
Best Time: Beginning to middle of June
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: Minamiyakata 3-2 Sakaecho, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1168
Access: From Nagoya Station, take the Meitetsu train to Chukyo Keibajomae. From there, it is a 5-minute walk.
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
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