A Season in Bloom: Discover Sakaide’s Hydrangeas

The hydrangea garden offers a wonderful variety of blooms, with many different types to admire all in one place.

Bannosu Park is mostly flat, and the hydrangea garden has ramps that allow visitors using wheelchairs or strollers to get a closer look at the flowers.

With so many varieties to discover, it’s also a lovely place for families to explore together. Children and parents can enjoy asking, “What’s this flower called?” or “Which one is your favorite?” as they stroll through the garden.

Come and enjoy the colorful hydrangeas and the peaceful scenery that makes Japan’s rainy season so special.

🌼 Highlights

• Enjoy hydrangeas in two areas: a 380㎡ Hydrangea Garden and a 70-meter-long Hydrangea Path.
• Discover a variety of blooms, including the small, charming Uzu Hydrangea with its curled petals and the Oakleaf Hydrangea, known for its cone-shaped flower clusters.
• On rainy days, the colors become even more vivid, creating a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere.

Hydrangeas have been grown here since 2014, and the displays have become more impressive with each passing year.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Typically: Mid to late June
*Blooming times may vary depending on the weather. In some years, the flowers can be enjoyed until early July.

Editor’s Recommendations

Find Your Favorite Hydrangea Among 55 Varieties!

With 55 different varieties of hydrangeas growing in the park, you might be surprised by just how many shapes and colors there are. Look out for the charming Uzu Hydrangea, with its small, curled petals, and the Oakleaf Hydrangea, known for its cone-shaped flower clusters. Take your time strolling through the garden and discovering what makes each variety special.

Easy to Explore with Strollers and Wheelchairs

The park’s mostly flat paths and the ramps in the hydrangea garden make it easy for visitors using strollers or wheelchairs to enjoy the flowers. It’s a lovely place for a relaxed family outing, even with little ones in tow.

Rainy Days Make the Perfect Photo Opportunity

Hydrangeas have a special beauty when their petals are covered in raindrops. Around the fountain plaza and along the Hydrangea Path, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to capture the soft colors and peaceful atmosphere of Japan’s rainy season.

🌼 Highlights

• Approximately 500 naturally growing hydrangea plants can be found along the temple approach and throughout the grounds.
• Raindrops glistening on the flowers create beautiful scenes unique to Japan’s rainy season.
• Located at an elevation of around 280 meters, the hydrangeas bloom later than those in lower areas, giving visitors more time to enjoy them.

Growing in a natural setting, these hydrangeas have a quiet, understated beauty that complements the peaceful atmosphere of the temple.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Typically: Mid-June to mid-July
*Blooming times may vary depending on the weather.

🚶‍♀️ Tips for Enjoying Your Visit

Take a leisurely stroll along the quiet temple approach, admiring the hydrangeas as you go. On rainy days, a gentle mist and raindrops add a dreamlike quality to the scenery, making the temple grounds feel even more magical.

You might even come across hydrangeas shaped like little hearts! Looking for them with your children can be a fun part of the visit. Ask, “Can you spot a heart-shaped one?” and see what you discover. You may find a lovely little bloom that’s just begging to be photographed.

Why not experience the mountains in a different way with your family? Breathe in the cool mountain air, listen to the soft patter of rain, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that makes a rainy day at Shiromineji Temple so special.

Editor’s Recommendations

Surrounded by nature, Shiromineji Temple offers a peaceful retreat where you can slow down and unwind. It’s an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend some quiet time among the trees.

One of the temple’s greatest charms is its calm, unhurried atmosphere. Walking along the approach while listening to the gentle patter of rain and the rustling of leaves can be wonderfully refreshing, leaving you feeling relaxed and renewed.

Because the hydrangeas here bloom later than those in lower areas, Shiromineji is also a lovely choice for anyone hoping to catch the flowers toward the end of the season.

The Sakaide Tourist Information Center offers bicycle rentals for visitors.

JR Sakaide Station to Bannosu Park: Approximately 3.6 km
JR Sakaide Station to Shiromineji Temple: Approximately 12.2 km

Advance reservations are also available.