While the cherry blossoms are a spectacular sight to see in spring, summer also has a surprise up its sleeve with Japan’s rainy season. Early June to mid-July is the perfect time to see an array of colorful hydrangea around Tokyo, known as ajisai in Japanese. Whether you are traveling or coming to live and study as a student, the city has much to offer for the outdoor adventurer who can bear the heat and humidity!
Where to see Hydrangea around Tokyo?
Grab an umbrella, pull out a pair of rain boots, and don’t shy away from a little drizzle this rainy season and you’ll be greeted by a whole new fabulous and floral world in Japan. We’ll share 11 of our favorite spots to see hydrangea around Tokyo.
1. Fureai Bridge, Edogawa
Take a walk along the Sumida River with the backdrop of Tokyo Skytree in the distance, and be immersed in bundles of pastel pink, purple, blue, and white hydrangeas from the beginning of June until mid-July. You can visit the Fureai Bridge spot for free any time of day to get the best photo-op, rain or shine your photos will look fabulous. The Fureai Bridge Hydrangea spot is great for seeing some greenery after visiting Tokyo Skytree or the Asakusa area, as it’s about a 15 to 20-minute train ride away.
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: Chuo-Sobu line Hirai station
2. Ajisai Matsuri Hakusan Shrine, Bunkyo
With over 3,000 hydrangea bushes, Hakusan Shrine is a trendy spot to see the hydrangea around Tokyo and hosts one of the city’s top five major flower festivals. Enjoy an entire traditional Japanese festival dedicated to the beautiful flowers, with various hydrangea-themed events running throughout the weekend.
However, don’t panic if you missed the festival or the hydrangea in full bloom, Hakusan Shrine itself is a Shinto shrine devoted to healing illnesses related to oral health, so you might happen upon a toothbrush offering while taking some photos of a few late blooming bushes. Admission is free so why not take the chance, and discover something interesting about Tokyo in the rain?
Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:00 daily; June 8th -16th (Festival)
How to get there: 3 minutes walk from Hakusan station on the Toei Mita line
3. Asukayama Park, Kita
If you find yourself venturing into the northern part of Tokyo for some nature sightseeing, add the hydrangeas at Asukayama Park to your list! View over 1,300 hydrangea bushes, and catch a glimpse of the express trains speeding down the tracks along the gated railway on one side, and tall hydrangeas on the other, a beautiful backdrop during sunset.
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: central exit of Oji Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku line
4. Odaiba Hydrangea stairs, Koto
The beautiful storybook-esque staircase surrounded by big blue and white hydrangeas on both sides can be found in the Odaiba Marine Park on the man-made island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. Make this spot a dreamy addition to your memories in Tokyo, and an easy plan on a rainy day as Odaiba has many indoor activities to enjoy along the way such as the amusement park Joypolis, walkthrough immersive theatre Immersive Fort Tokyo, the lesser-known UWS Aquarium Ga-Kyo, and more.
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: 1 Chome-3 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Odaiba Marine Park station on the Yurikomame line
5. Meigetsuin temple, Kamakura
Take a day trip to the picturesque town of Kamakura, Kanagawa, and visit Meigetsuin temple located about an hour outside Tokyo by train, and escape the large city crowds during the humid summer season. Meigetsuin temple boasts thousands of hydrangea bushes, the entrance fee will set you back about ¥300 ~ ¥500 depending on the month you visit.
Opening hours: (in June) 8:30 – 17:00, (other than June) 9:00 – 16:00
How to get there: 10-minute walk from JR Kita-kamakura station
6. Shinjuku Central Park Hydrangea Road, Shinjuku
Shinjuku Central Park is a convenient place to pop in and see hydrangea around Tokyo if you don’t have much time to travel to other locations on the list. Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Hydrangea Road can be accessed 24 hours a day in the middle of the park. During the day there is a water play pool, playground, cafe, restaurant, and outdoor gym. It’s a nice place to bring children and pets for a quick hydrangea photo-op, and to enjoy some outdoor activities!
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: 1 minute walk from exit A5 of Tochomae station on the Toei Oedo line
7. Showa Memorial park, Tachikawa
Come to see the hydrangeas, stay, and spend an entire day exploring this massive 440-acre (180 hectares) park in west Tokyo. Known as Showa Kinen Koen in Japanese, you can see thousands of hydrangea, sunflowers, and iris during June at this floral fantasy land. Enjoy other activities such as bike and boat rental, a pool, tea house, BBQ garden, several children’s playgrounds, and cafes while you walk around flower viewing. Admission is 450 yen for adults, and free for children.
Opening hours: Mon ~ Fri 9:30 to 17:00, Weekends and Holidays 9:30 to 18:00
How to get there: 10 minutes from the north exit of Tachikawa station on the Chuo Line
8. Jochi-ji temple, Kamakura
Another spot in Kamakura, Jochi-ji temple will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away into the backdrop of a Ghibli movie. The hydrangea flowers here are so colorful, bright, and evenly spread out that the temple has been used in many films since the 1980s, such as Lovers’ Kiss (2003), and MUKOKU (2017).
You may even be able to catch the occasional bilingual Rakugo (Japanese traditional comedy) show hosted on temple grounds during your stroll. The cost to enter the temple is ¥300 for adults.
Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:30 daily
How to get there: JR Kita-kamakura station
9. Tokei-ji temple, Kamakura
Last but not least in the trio of Kamakura hydrangea spots is the Buddhist Tokei-ji temple, which used to be a nunnery until the 1870s. Beautiful flowers are spread out within a valley at this temple, including the hydrangeas. Here it is requested that photography be limited and that guests truly try to feel the meaning of nature.
Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:00
How to get there: 4 minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura station on the JR Yokosuka Line
10. Fuchu City Local Forest, Fuchu
Known as the Kyodo no mori in Japanese, is an open-air museum and one of the most underrated places to see Hydrangea around Tokyo. Take a break from ajisai spotting and the rain by enjoying the onsite planetarium. The entry fee is ¥300 for adults.
Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00)
How to get there: 6 minutes by bus from the JR Nambu Line’s Bubaigawara Station
11. Tamagawadai park, Ota
A huge area of 66,661 square meters along the Tama River, the Tamagawadai Park boasts a special Hydrangea garden, and an aquatic botanical garden to enjoy.
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: Tamagawa Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, or Tamagawa Line
More about what life is like in Japan
Wanna know more about what’s happening in Japan? Check out a short video of these spots on the Go! Go! Nihon TikTok before heading out to see the hydrangea around Tokyo! Follow our blog for info on visas, Japanese culture, and studying in Japan!