The beginning of June marks the start of rainy season in Japan. Humidity levels rise, downpours are expected several times a week and every store you pass is touting different kawaii/fashionable rain gear – rainboots, light rain coats, ponchos, and umbrellas in every color and style you can imagine. But the best part is the sudden explosion of blooming hydrangeas (ajisai) that last all month and add so much vibrant color all over the city, surrounding suburbs, and the rest of the country.
I headed out to the neighboring Kamakura this Saturday, which is one of the prime spots for admiring these cotton-candy blooms as well as spending some relaxing time by the beach. Kamakura is a real dream. It has it all: nice coastline, historic sites, beautiful gardens, great shopping and delicious food. Perfect place for a weekend getaway.
When I arrived, it was awash with lush bushes of colorful hydrangeas blooming everywhere – random alleyways, gardens, along train tracks – which added an eerie pastel glow to the city and made it even more enchanting.
Appreciation and celebration of nature in Japan is inspiring and astounding. Ever since February, when the first plum trees bloomed, there have been festivals dedicated to every single flower: cherry blossoms, wisteria, tulips, shibazakura, and now iris and hydrangea. There are destinations where hundreds to thousands of hydrangea are planted just for viewing pleasure and appreciation during June. There are festivals in many well known hydrangea-heavy areas, and even some snacks shaped like the ajisai.
It felt magical to get lost in this beautiful hydrangea wonderland, connect with nature and soak up the atmosphere: emerald bamboo groves, hillsides covered in lush forests, fragrance of incense filling the air, birds chirping, and luxuriant clusters of flowers in the pastel hues of blue, violet, pink and ivory. I spent the day walking all over the city wandering in random nooks and crannies, although Hasedera and Meigetsuin Temples were the best spots for immersing into the ethereal world of ajisai. Here are some details captured during the day spent flower spotting in Kamakura.
Jojuin Shrine
Hasedera Temple
Meigetsuin Temple
Beautiful isn’t it? I have always liked flowers, but I learned to appreciate the beauty of nature on a whole new level in Japan, and this lesson is priceless.
xoxo, nano
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Wow! All of those flowers are so beautiful! A ton of rain and high humidity is not fun to deal with, but it always makes it worth it when amazing flowers start to bloom!
I agree, not the best time of the year in terms of climate, but certainly very beautiful one :) Thanks for reading!!
Flower spotting <3 How romantic! You are glowing in the pictures, bet this place would had me with a smile from ear to ear too!
What a beautiful sight! I love that there are festivals celebrating all the different flowers, how cool :)
So glad you linked up with us! :)
These flowers are so so beautiful, the colours just drew me in straight away! I always have such nice memories of hydrangeas as there are lots in the garden of my family home :) Thanks for sharing a slice of spring!
Thank you so much, Marcella! Love your link-up and will try to contribute as much as possible, so many wonderful bloggers out there! ☺️
I had no idea hydrangeas were so popular in Japan! Rainy season definitely isn’t fun, but when you’re left with all these beautiful flowers at the end, I guess it’s worth it!! Your pictures are so stunning and this looks like the perfect visit in Japan! Thanks for sharig and linking up :D
Thank you for reading Lauren! There is definitely a lot of things I am learning about Japan and local culture that I never knew about. Living here is a blast! :) xoxo, nano
What beautiful colours!
Yes, it was even more beautiful in person! ☺️
I LOVE Kamakura! It used to be one of my favourite places to visit when I was living near Tokyo.
Me too Rachel, it’s a real gem and it is so close! Thanks for reading :)
Your pictures are so beautiful! Japan seems really stunning during springtime – would love to visit one day!
Hope you will get a chance to see all this with your own eyes, it is something very special! Thanks for reading! :) xoxo, nano
stunning. loved the flowers along the railway track
Thank you!
welcome