Rainy season in Japan is between middle June to middle July. Not many tourists are around because of its cloudy weather, high humidity, and high temperature are filling the days in Japan. If you also think so, you are wrong! This rainy season is when the beautiful Hydrangea flowers with various types and colors are blooming during rainy season. The typical colors of Hydrangea in Japan is blue, pink, and purple.
During the blooming season of hydrangea, you can enjoy the charming and gorgeous view around the temples in Kamakura. The hydrangea will be fully bloom around mid June to early July. Hydrangea flowers are the symbol of rainy seasons in Japan. The temples which are famous for their hydrangeas are Meigetsuin Temple and Tokeji Temple. Therefore, make sure you do not forget to visit such temples if you are happened to be around Kamakura in that time period.
Hasedera Temple
Hasedera Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kamakura. One of the reasons why Hasedera Temple is famous nation-wide is the beautifulness of its Hydrangea garden. There are more than 2,500 hydrangea trees and flowers in this temple.
A huge number of people visit this temple as soon as the gate is open every morning. On weekend, the crowd grows larger. It is necessary to line up for more than 3 hours to enter the trail. In some cases, Hasedera Temple might distribute numbered ticket for entry.
The “Hydrangea Path” of Hasedera Temple is a top must-go place in Kamakura in rainy season (June and July). The entrance of this trail is on the left, facing on the front of the main building of the temple (Kannon-do Hall). You do not need to pay additional charge to see this Hydrangea Path. When it is crowded, 30 minutes would be necessary to see and walk this entire trail.
Admission Fee: 300 yen
Access: 3-min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line (about 1 hour from Shinjuku St.)
Address: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Meigetsuin Temple
This temple is also known as Hydrangea Temple (Ajisai-dera). Meigetsuin is a well-known spot to appreciate the beauty of hydrangeas and also houses the tomb of Hojo Tokiyori, a former supreme ruler of Japan who used Kamakura as his base. So, enjoy the beauty of Hydrangaes in Meigetsuin Temple’s garden.
Admission Fee: 300 yen (regular fee) Iris garden: 500 yen (open in June)
Access: 10-min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura St. the JR Yokosuka Line (about 1 hour from Shinjuku St.)
Address: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Tokeiji Temple
Looking for little luck in marriage? Try to pray for a good match in Tokeiji Temple. After that, don’t forget to stroll around the temple’s garden and see the beauty of hydrangeas.
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (until 16:00 November to February)
Admission Fee: 100 yen
Access: 3-min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line (about 1 hour from Shinjuku St.)
Address: 1367 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Jojuin Temple
Jojuin Temple is located in the mountain between Hase and Gokuraji. During blooming season of hydrangeas, you can see both sides of the stairway leading up to the main gate full of stunning hydrangeas. There are 262 hydrangea flowers planted along the east side of the slope. You can enjoy ocean view from the top of the stairways.
However, this temple is still in ongoing renovation work of the slope and re-plants the hydrangeas. It looks like it will take 2-3 years until the renovation work is completely finished.
Hours: 8:00 - 17:00
Admission Fee: Free
Access: 5 mins walk from Gokurakuji St. (about 10 mins from Kamakura on the Enoden Line)
Address: 1-1-5 Gokurakuji, Kamkura