We will introduce you to the most secretive hydrangea spots in Tokyo, such as Yakushiike Park, where you can pick hydrangeas and irises, and Myohoji Temple, where you can admire hydrangeas along the approach, allowing you to quietly enjoy the beauty without the crowds.
1. Yakushiike Park (薬師池公園)
Yakushiike Park is centered around Machida City's Yakushiike. The park boasts 42 varieties of hydrangeas, with about 1,000 plants, and the best viewing period is from mid to late June. Additionally, a 10-minute walk from Yakushiike Park leads to Ebirone Garden, which features 17 varieties and about 5,000 hydrangea plants, located in the South Garden of Yakushiike Park, and is free to visit during the flowering season.
Furthermore, the park is home to 175 varieties of irises, with approximately 2,200 plants. During the blooming period, the park hosts the Iris and Hydrangea Festival. Watching the "flower girls" in traditional "Saotome" planting attire tending to the irises is a park tradition.
The best time to view the irises is earlier than the hydrangeas, from late May to late June. Once the flowers have withered, they are not picked, so if you wish to see the irises, please check their blooming status before planning your visit.
Best Viewing Period and Basic Information for Hydrangeas
- Best viewing time for hydrangeas: mid to late June
- Ebirone Garden open: June 10, 2024 to June 24, 2024
- Operating hours: Yakushiike Park 6:00-19:00, Ebirone Garden 9:30-16:00
- Price: Free
- Yakushiike Park
- Address: 3270 Nozuta-cho, Machida City, Tokyo
- Website: https://www.city.machida.tokyo.jp/bunka/park/shisetu/shikisai_no_mori/park01.html
2. Horinouchi Myohoji Temple（堀之内妙法寺）
Horinouchi Myohoji Temple, a Nichiren Buddhist temple renowned for its talismanic properties, is a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Higashi-Koenji Station. Behind the main hall, beyond the Jincho Hall, passing through the rear gate inscribed with the character "勋", you will encounter hydrangeas planted along the pilgrimage path. Continuing forward, you will be greeted by clusters of irises and hydrangeas.
The prime time to view the irises is generally from early to mid-June, while the best period to admire the hydrangeas is from mid to late June. Be sure to visit when the flowers are in full bloom.
Prime Viewing Period and Essential Information for Hydrangeas
- Best Viewing Time for Hydrangeas: Mid to late June
- Visiting Hours: Winter (September 23 to March 19) 6:00-16:30, Summer (March 20 to September 22) 5:30-17:00
- Closed: Open all year round
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Horinouchi Myohoji Temple
- Address: 3-48-8 Horinouchi, Suginami City, Tokyo
- Website: http://www.yakuyoke.or.jp/
3. Asuka Path（飛鳥の小径）
The "Asuka Path" connects the railway tracks with the foot of Asukayama Park, famed for cherry blossom viewing. In early summer, over 1,300 hydrangea plants bloom along the 350-meter-long path.
Along the roadside, an information board provides details on the hydrangeas, revealing that there are over 50 varieties. Enjoy observing the differences between the species as you stroll.
Prime Viewing Period and Essential Information for Hydrangeas
- Best Viewing Time for Hydrangeas: Early to mid-June
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Entrance Fee: Free
4. Nanzawa Hydrangea Mountain（南沢あじさい山）
"Nanzawa Hydrangea Mountain" is located in Fukazawa, Akiruno City, Tokyo. It takes about 40 minutes to walk from the nearest station, JR Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, to the mountain. However, during the peak viewing season, shuttle buses run from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, making transportation convenient.
At Nanzawa Hydrangea Mountain, many hydrangeas bloom from late June to early July, covering the steep, treeless spaces. Originally, the mountain owner, Tadakazu Nanzawa, planted about 20 hydrangea seedlings along the forest road. Now, the number of hydrangeas planted has reached 10,000.
Best Viewing Period and Basic Information
- Best viewing period: Mid to late June
- Opening period: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, to Sunday, July 7, 2024
- Operating hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed days: Open daily during the peak season
- Admission: Adults 600 yen, Children 400 yen
- Shuttle bus schedule: See official website
- Shuttle bus fare: 300 yen one way
- Nanzawa Hydrangea Mountain
- Address: 36 Fukazawa, Akiruno City, Tokyo
- Website: https://ajisai-yama.com/
5. Tamagawadai Park（多摩川台公園）
From Tamagawa Station West Exit, Tamagawadai Park is about a 1-minute walk. The park is located on the hills along the Tama River, offering views of the Tanzawa Mountains and Mount Fuji on clear days.
The park features a "Hydrangea Garden" with about 3,000 hydrangea plants of seven different types, blooming every June. Each type of hydrangea is planted in clusters, making it easy to distinguish between the varieties.
Best Viewing Period and Basic Information
- Best viewing period: Early to late June
- Opening hours: Open 24 hours, free of charge
- Closed days: No holidays
- Admission: Free
- Tamagawadai Park
- Address: 1-63-1 Denenchofu, Ota City, Tokyo
- Website: https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/shisetsu/park/tamagawadai.html
6. Kansen-en Park (甘泉園公園)
Formerly the residence of the Shimizu family, one of the three branches of the Tokugawa family, Kansen-en Park is Shinjuku's only strolling garden. Named "Kansen-en" for its water suitable for tea-making, the park spans 14,000 square meters and is free to visit.
Hydrangeas bloom in early summer, primarily around the central pond. Take a leisurely stroll through the serene garden and enjoy the sight of the hydrangeas.
Best Viewing Time and Basic Information for Hydrangeas
- Best viewing time for hydrangeas: June
- Operating hours: March to October 7:00 to 19:00, November to February 7:00 to 17:00
- Closed: Open daily
- Admission: Free
7. Keio Mogusaen Garden (京王百草園)
Keio Mogusaen Garden, a 10-minute walk from Keio Line's Mogusaen Station, is a traditional Japanese garden located on a corner of the Tama Hills. On clear days, you can see Tokyo Skytree from the garden's observation deck.
Known as a prime spot for plum blossoms in Tokyo, the garden also features hydrangeas as a highlight in early summer. Over 500 hydrangeas are planted around the garden's teahouses. During the hydrangea season, you can also see white water lilies blooming in the garden's Shinji Pond.
Best Viewing Time and Basic Information for Hydrangeas
- Best viewing time for hydrangeas: Early to mid-June
- Operating hours: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a holiday)
- Admission: 500 yen for adults, 100 yen for children
- Keio Mogusaen Garden (京王百草园)
- Address: 560 Mogusa, Hino City
- Website: https://www.keio-mogusaen.jp/
8. Shinjuku Central Park (新宿中央公園)
Covering approximately 88,000 square meters, Shinjuku Central Park is the largest urban park in Shinjuku. This lush, green oasis is nestled among the skyscrapers, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
The park features a corner called "Hydrangea Path," lined with purple and blue hydrangeas. You can also find hydrangeas at Cherry Blossom Plaza and Birdhouse Forest, making it a delightful adventure to discover these blooms while strolling through the expansive park.
Best Viewing Time and Basic Information for Hydrangeas
- Best viewing time for hydrangeas: Early to mid-June
- Operating hours: Open 24 hours
- Closed: Open daily
- Admission: Free
