Hydrangea Spots: Kansai
We've covered all the best spots to see hydrangeas across Osaka, Kyoto, Shiga, Nara, Mie and Hyogo!
Where to Find Them
Expo '70 Commemorative Park (Osaka)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 20 minutes from central Osaka via Chugoku Expressway (Suita IC).
By train: Take the Osaka Monorail to Bampaku-kinen-koen Station and walk 5 minutes to the park entrance
Best time to visit: Early to late June
Entrance fee: ¥260 for adults, free for children
Approximately 4,000 hydrangeas in bloom in the Hydrangea Forest
Original site for the 1970 World Expo with expansive lawns, cultural gardens and the iconic Tower of the Sun
Kyuanji Temple (Ikeda, Osaka)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 10 minutes from the Ikeda IC on the Chugoku Expressway
By train: Take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Ikeda Station, then walk 15 minutes or take a short taxi ride
Best time to visit: Mid to late June
Entrance fee: Free
Known as the 'Hydrangea Temple', featuring dense blooms that form a natural tunnel. The floating hydrangeas on the temple pond are especially picturesque
Tanshu Kannonji (Kyoto - Fukuchiyama city)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 1.5 hours from central Kyoto via National Route 478
By bus: From Fukuchiyama Station (13 stops) or Ayabe Station (9 stops), take a 15 minute bus ride to Kannonji bus stop and walk for 10 minutes
Best time to visit: Mid to late June (Hydrangea Festival on the fourth Sunday in June)
Entrance fee: From ¥500 for adults
Renowned for its hillside hydrangea garden with over 10,000 in bloom covering the slopes, creating a stunning cascade of colours
The temple is also famed for its eleven faced Kannon statue, known for its healing abilities and blessings for good fortune and road safety
Prefect for a day trip and a chance to explore a less traveled area of Kyoto with small rest areas along the path for you to sit and take in the views
Horyuji Toko-in Temple (Kyoto Prefecture – Ayabe City)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 1.5 hours from Kyoto Station via National Route 478
By bus: From Ayabe Station take a 15 minute bus ride to Kaminobechō Hattan bus stop and walk for 15 minutes
Best time to visit: Mid June to early July
Entrance fee: ¥300 per person
The temple transforms with 2,500 hydrangeas in full bloom adding a splash of colour to the grounds. Whilst modest in size, the garden is beautifully maintained and offers a peaceful retreat
At the same time, the Furin (wind chime) Festival takes place, featuring 750 wind chimes hanging in the square by the main shrine
Kazahaya no Sato (Mie)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 30 minutes from Tsu Station
By train: Take the JR Line to Tsu Station, then a ~20 minute taxi ride to the garden
Best time to visit: Mid June to early July
Entrance fee: Varies depending on the best time to see the flowers
Approximately 77,000 hydrangea plants of 37 different varieties with hydrangeas placed on stair sides, slopes and many more spots!
Mt Rokko via cable car (Hyogo)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 25 minutes from Kobe City via Route 95
By train: From Rokko Station, take the Rokko Cable Shita bus (platform 3) to Rokko Cable Shita bus stop (8 stops)
Best time to visit: Mid June to early July
Entrance fee: ¥2,300 for adults
The Rokko cable is a rare spot where you can enjoy hydrangeas while riding a lovely retro cable car as well as views of the city of Kobe and the sea
The beautiful blue colouring is known as 'Rokko Blue' and starting from the lower station, more than 2,500 hydrangeas will be blooming
Shounsan Raikoji Temple (Kawanishi, Hyogo)
How to get there:
By train: Take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Kawanishi-noseguchi station, then take the Nose Dentetsu-Myouken Line to Uneno Station and walk for 5 minutes (take the East Exit)
Best time to visit: Early to mid June
Entrance fee: Free
Also known as 'Hydrangea Temple', around 500 plants including Western hydrangeas lovingly natured by the temple's priests bloom in large profusion
Take a stroll through the temple grounds and enjoy the different colours of the flowers
Lake Yogo Hydrangea Garden (Shiga)
How to get there:
By car: Park at this parking spot and walk for 20 minutes to the garden
By train: Take the JR Line to Yogo Station, then a 35 minute walk or bike ride to the garden
Best time to visit: June to early July
Entrance fee: Free
Approximately 10,000 hydrangea flowers blooming around Lake Yogo, embraced by the surrounding mountains
Lake Yogo is a smaller lake that is next to Lake Biwa
Kinpunsenji, Nanamagari Hydrangea Path (Nara)
How to get there:
By car: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Nara City and this parking lot is only a 5 minute walk away
By train: Take the Kintetsu Yoshino Line to Yoshino Station then walk (~30 minutes) or take the ropeway towards Kinpusen-ji Temple and follow the Nanamagari path on foot
Best time to visit: Mid June to mid July
Entrance fee: Free
Approximately 4,000 hydrangeas line a scenic mountain path that zigzags up to Kinpusen-Ji Temple in Yoshino and is the perfect combination of cultural heritage and seasonal beauty
The route is known for its spiritual atmosphere and panoramic views that are especially beautiful when the flowers are in full bloom
