Hydrangea Week has begun at Yanagidani Kannon Yokokuji Temple in Jododani, Nagaokakyo City, a famous hydrangea spot representing the Otokuni region of Kyoto Prefecture. Various varieties of hydrangeas are colored in blue, blue-purple, red-purple, and other colors, delighting the eyes of visitors.
About 5,000 hydrangeas of 27 varieties are planted in and around the temple grounds. The decorative flowers (sepals) are blooming and turning color in sunny spots in front of the mountain gate, on the slopes of the temple grounds, and along the approach to the temple. Seven water basins are decorated with "flower water basins" in which colorful flowers are floated in water, attracting attention on social networking sites. The stairs in front of the Inari shrine have also been set up with "Oinari Flower Stairs."
The head priest, Toshihide Kusaka, says, "The colors are changing about a week earlier than usual. The best time to see them is mid-June, and they will likely be enjoyable until early July."
Hydrangea Week runs until June 30th. An entrance fee and an admission fee for Kamishoin are required.
