There are many places in and around Tokyo where one can view impressive hydrangea displays. The flowers are usually at their most beautiful in June. Below is a list of some of the best locations within Kanto where they can be enjoyed. Please note – many ajisai-related events and festivals are canceled this year (2021). This list is based on an average year. Please research in advance before you visit.

Ajisai = Hydrangea

Matsuri = Festival

TOKYO

Asukayama Park, Kita Ward: 1,300 ajisai bushes within the park and along the railroad tracks (photo above).

Fuchu City Local Forest Museum, Fuchu City: Holds a yearly ajisai matsuri. *Postponed until State of Emergency is over.

Hakusan Shrine, Bunkyo Ward: Small, but lovely shrine filled with 3,000 ajisai bushes. The ‘heart’ of the yearly Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri.

Rikugien Garden, Bunkyo Ward

Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa City

Sumida Park, Taito Ward: Promenade along the Sumida River boasts 6,000 ajisai bushes along a 2 kilometer stretch.

Takahata Fudoson Temple, Hino City: 7,500 ajisai bushes within the temple grounds. Holds a yearly Ajisai Matsuri.

Tokyo Summerland Ajisai-en Garden, Akiruno City: A water park with a garden area filled with 5,000 ajisai bushes.

CHIBA

Hattori Farm (Hydrangea Mansion), Mobara City: This one is on my bucket list – it looks especially impressive!

Hondoji Temple, Matsudo City: A lovely combination of 50,000 ajisai and irises.

Nokogiriyama, Kyonan City: Many ajisai bushes line the paths of the Nihonji, the temple that covers much of this mountain.

GUNMA

Onoike Ajisai Park, Shibukawa City

Ogikubo Park, Maebashi City: Significant amount of ajisai bushes. Located inside the grounds of an impressive michi-no-eki.

Shogenji, Midori City

Yashio Ajisai Village, Fujioka City

IBARAKI

Amabiki Kannon, Sakuragawa City: 3,000 ajisai bushes within the temple grounds. They hold a yearly ajisai matsuri.

Howa-en Garden, Mito City: Garden of Keiganji Temple has over 6,000 ajisai bushes within its grounds.

Mito Hachimangu, Mito City: A short walk from Howa-en. 5,000 ajisai bushes.

Nihonmatsuji, Itako City: Temple with a large garden filled with 10,000 ajisai bushes.

Kaisei Town

KANAGAWA

Hakkeijima Hydrangea Festival, Yokohama

Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone: 10,000 ajisai bushes line the train tracks. Higher elevation so they usually bloom later than in other places. They are lit-up in the evening. A special hydrangea viewing train runs – reservation only.

Hayama Ajisai Park, Hayama Town: 3,000 ajisai bushes, located near one of the entrances to the Sangaokayama hiking course.

Kaisei Ajisai Matsuri, Kaisei Town: 5,000 ajisai bushes line newly planted rice paddies. In a wide valley, mountains on three sides. My favorite hydrangea spot in all of Japan!

Nogeyama Park, Yokohama

Sankeien, Yokohama: many flowers within this garden, ajisai are scattered throughout the grounds. Nice irises along the lakeside.

KANAGAWA – KAMAKURA

A variety of temples in one location. A fantastic day-trip for viewing ajisai.

Engakuji Temple

Goryo Shrine

Hase-dera Temple

Meigetsu-in Temple

Kita-Kamakura Kominka Museum: A tiny museum in a historic home with many ajisai within its grounds.

Tokeiji Temple: Lovely irises too.

SHIZUOKA

Shimoda Park, Shimoda City: 3 million ajisai (not sure how many ‘bushes’ that is) bloom along a lovely walking path. Holds an annual ajisai matsuri.

TOCHIGI

Kurobane Castle, Otawara City: 6,000 ajisai bushes within the grounds. Holds an annual ajisai matsuri.

Ohirasan Jinja, Ohira Town: 2,500 ajisai bushes lining the slope and staircase leading to the shrine.