We've compiled a list of hydrangea spots in Okayama Prefecture, including delicious spots within a 30-minute radius.
2024.05.17-
Table of contents
- 1. Otakiyama Saihoin Temple (Bizen City )
- 2. Kibitsu-jinja Shrine(Okayama City)
- 3. Takebe no Mori Park (Okayama City)
- 4. Okayama Korakuen Garden(Okayama City)
- 5. Misaki Flower Garden(Misaki Town)
- 6. Chohoji Temple (Tsuyama City )
- 7. Tsuyama Castle/Kakuyama Park (Tsuyama City )
- 8. Daisen Hydrangea Road (Mimasaka City)
- 9. Daishoji Temple (Mimasaka City)
- 10. Fumonji Temple (Maniwa City)
- 11. Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbill (Maniwa City )
- 12. Matsuyama Park West Garden (Kurashiki City)
- 13. Saitoji Temple (Niimi City)
- 14. Miyama Park (Tamano City)
- Map of the introduced spots
- Hydrangea flowering information is being updated
1. Otakiyama Saihoin Temple (Bizen City )
As its nickname "Hydrangea Temple" suggests, colorful flowers welcome you on the approach to the temple, and from early to late June, approximately 1,500 colorful hydrangeas bloom along the approach, soothing the souls of visitors. The Hydrangea Festival is held during the peak viewing period.
Delicious stopover spot: Honokura
Located about a 10-minute drive from Otakiyama Nishihoin Temple, this take-out rice ball shop is run by the agricultural production corporation Ichiken Farm. They offer a Toyotomi variety of rice balls made with Asahi rice grown and harvested in Kato , Bizen City . Freshly milled rice and fresh locally grown vegetables are also sold in the store.
2. Kibitsu-jinja Shrine(Okayama City)
Admire the beautiful corridors and early summer flowers About 1,500 colorful hydrangeas bloom on both sides of the approach to Iwayama Shrine, from the middle of the 360m corridor that continues from behind the main hall, a national treasure. The hydrangeas seen from the top of the approach with the corridor in the background are also very beautiful.
Delicious stop: Spice Cafe RATIO
About a 20-minute drive from Kibitsu-jinja Shrine is the Ashimori Townscape Preservation District, which retains traces of the Edo period. At the old-style cafe next to the Jinyamachi Ashimori Parking Lot in this area, you can enjoy homemade spice curry, hand-ground coffee, sweets, and more.
Spice Cafe RATIO Official Instagram
3. Takebe no Mori Park (Okayama City)
The 3.5km Hydrangea Road is located on the outer perimeter of the park, where you can enjoy a variety of leisure activities throughout the year, decorating the road to the summit with refreshing colors. Refreshing white and blue flowers bloom along the roadside. You can also drive from the park entrance to the summit.
Delicious stop: Tabuchi Shoten
Located about 15 minutes by car from Takebe no Mori Park, this nostalgic cafe is a mix of old and new, located along the Asahikawa. Their popular summer menu item is shaved ice topped with juicy original syrup made with plenty of Setouchi fruits.
Tabuchi Shoten Official Instagram
4. Okayama Korakuen Garden(Okayama City)
A refreshing floral landscape found in one of Japan's three most famous gardens. Hydrangeas are planted along the waterway, which was created by pumping up underground water. The scenery of the irises and hydrangeas blooming at the same time is refreshing and seems to help you forget the humid heat.
Delicious stopover spot: Fukuda Chaya
Located in Okayama Korakuen Garden, this tea shop offers beautiful seasonal views while you enjoy matcha made with carefully selected tea leaves, as well as parfaits, shaved ice, zenzai, and other seasonal sweets. It's the perfect place to take a break during your stroll through the gardens.
5. Misaki Flower Garden(Misaki Town)
A flower garden where 20,000 hydrangeas of 100 varieties bloom. Located at an altitude of 400m, this spot allows you to enjoy a variety of flowers. There are an overwhelming number of hydrangeas, about 100 varieties and 20,000 plants! You can enjoy the wide variety of colors and types of hydrangeas while strolling around the 20 hectare site.
A delicious stop: Makiba no Mori Food & Shop
Located within the Makiba no Yakata building, this restaurant is about a 10-minute drive from Misaki Flower Garden. Guests can enjoy a menu of locally sourced dishes, including Okayama Wagyu beef rib-eye steak, pork cutlet curry, carbonara, bolognese, and pizza.
Makiba no Yakata Restaurant "Makiba no Mori FOOD & SHOP" Official Website
6. Chohoji Temple (Tsuyama City )
This temple is located at the foot of Mount Kannanbi in the Nanbu part of Tsuyama City , where approximately 3,500 hydrangeas bloom in competition with one another. When Tsuyama Castle was demolished in the Meiji era, tall sliding screens with hydrangea designs were presented as a gift, which led to the planting of hydrangeas. Currently, approximately 3,500 hydrangeas bloom in competition with one another during the rainy season.
Delicious stop: Nishilma 25
Located about a 7-minute drive from Chohoji Temple, this gallery is located in a building that has been passed down through generations since the Edo period, in Tsuyama City Josai Traditional Buildings Preservation District. It also has a cafe where you can enjoy lunch made with organic vegetables and brown rice, as well as baked goods made with seasonal ingredients.
7. Tsuyama Castle/Kakuyama Park (Tsuyama City )
Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) , famous for its hydrangea cherry blossoms that stand out against the Bitchu Yagura turret and Ishigaki , is a hydrangea spot known only to those in the know. The sight of the flowers blooming under the Bitchu Yagura turret is particularly charming, paired with the imposing Ishigaki and historical buildings. In addition to blue and Aka purple hydrangeas, you can also see lacecap hydrangeas.
Delicious stop: kitchen hitotogohan
Located about an 8-minute drive from Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park), this cafe is located in a complex that was renovated from a former kindergarten building. Popular items include omelet rice, which can be chosen from organic tomato sauce, Hiruzen Jersey beef demi-glace sauce, and stew-based white sauce, as well as hamburger steaks served in a skillet.
kitchen hitotogohan official website
8. Daisen Hydrangea Road (Mimasaka City)
The path leads to an observation spot where you can see the beautiful blue gradation of Yunogo Onsen town below, and in the distance, Ushiroyama, the highest peak in Okayama Prefecture, as well as mountains such as Mt.Nagi. Approximately 3,000 deep blue and purple hydrangeas blend beautifully into the green of the mountains.
Oyama Hydrangea Road (Oyama Observation Deck)
656-1 Kose, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture 707-0045
Delicious stopover spots: Farm Cafe Yunogo/ Yunohana Garden
About a 7-minute drive from Daisen Hydrangea Road, this facility in Yunogo Onsen town offers a picnic-style experience of enjoying the beauty-boosting hot springs and local delicacies. Order croissant sandwiches, pizza, and sweets made with fruit from the facility's own farm at the attached cafe and enjoy them in the spacious garden. There is also a foot bath area within the garden.
Farm Cafe Yunogo/Yunohana Garden Official Website
9. Daishoji Temple (Mimasaka City)
Take a stroll surrounded by 5,000 hydrangeas This historic temple is said to have been founded by imperial order of Emperor Shomu, and is the 13th temple of the "Twenty-four Flower Temples of Sanyo." With approximately 5,000 hydrangeas planted around the temple, it is also famous as a hydrangea temple.
*Currently, entry to the mountain is prohibited due to bears (July 2023).
Delicious stop: Bon appetit
About 30 minutes by car from Daishoji Temple, this Western restaurant offers a Toyotomi of dishes, including omelet rice, pasta, hamburgers, pizza, risotto, and stew. They also serve 100% Mimasaka venison hamburgers, which are incredibly juicy and popular.
10. Fumonji Temple (Maniwa City)
Hana no Yamadera Temple in early summer Hana no Yamadera Temple is a place where you can experience the colors of the seasons, with cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, maples, and more. In mid-June, about 3,000 hydrangeas bloom in a variety of colors, delighting visitors.
Delicious stop: Gelato Daigozakura
About a 20-minute drive from Fumonji Temple, this gelato shop offers seasonal flavors using fresh Jersey milk and local ingredients. Their popular menu items feature carefully selected ingredients, such as their "Sake Kasu An," which combines sake lees from Gozanshu Junmai Daiginjo with smooth bean paste from Fujito Manju.
Gelato Daigozakura Official Instagram
11. Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbill (Maniwa City )
A Takaharu garden overlooking the Hiruzen Sanza . Located in Nishikayabe, Hiruzen , Maniwa City , this facility commands a view of the Hiruzen Sanza . The 3-hectare site is home to one of the largest lavender fields and herb gardens in western Japan, as well as a hydrangea garden with approximately 3,000 hydrangeas in bloom.
Delicious stop: Hiruzen Winery
Located about a 10-minute drive from Hiruzen Herb Garden Herville, this winery produces wine using wild grapes, a rare find even nationwide. In addition to wine, the cafe offers a selection of cheeses made in the Hiruzen-kogen Heights and soft serve ice cream made with Hiruzen Jersey milk and wild grapes.
Hiruzen Winery Official Website
12. Matsuyama Park West Garden (Kurashiki City)
Approximately 13,000 hydrangeas planted in a park that makes the most of the natural terrain! This popular comprehensive park offers a panoramic view of the Mizushima industrial area and a wide range of play equipment for children. Approximately 13,000 hydrangeas are planted in the park that makes the most of the natural terrain.
Delicious stop: Patisserie Oxalis
Located about a 10-minute drive from the West Garden of Matsuyama Park, this popular pastry shop features delicate and gorgeous cakes in its showcase. In addition to the deliciousness of their takeaway cakes, their "Assiette Dessert" (available on limited days and times; reservations required by phone in advance) is also a hot topic.
Patisserie Oxalis Official Website
13. Saitoji Temple (Niimi City)
Said to have been built by Kobo Daishi Kukai, Saito-ji Temple is also famous for its blooming hydrangeas in early summer. The mountainside beside the popular white torii gates, a great photo spot, is also decorated with beautiful hydrangeas.
A delicious stop: JA Harenokuni Okayama Yakiniku Restaurant "Chiyagyu"
Located about 30 minutes by car from Saitoji Temple, this JA yakiniku restaurant procures whole Chiya beef from a directly managed ranch. You can fully enjoy Chiya beef, which is said to be the origin of Wagyu beef brands across the country. Set meals and rice bowls are also available, making this a restaurant where you can casually enjoy rare brand beef.
Yakiniku restaurant "Chiyagyu" official website
14. Miyama Park (Tamano City)
A vast park filled with nature and hydrangeas. The site is about 15 times the size of Okayama Korakuen Garden, and is home to over 300 species, including cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, camellias, and azaleas, with approximately 150,000 plants planted. The best time to see hydrangeas is mid-June, with around 3,500 hydrangeas of 30 different varieties. You can see them in various places in the park, such as the promenade beside Akamatsu Pond and the Miyama English Garden.
Delicious stop: Miyama cafe PUUT
Located inside the roadside station next to Miyama Park, you can enjoy a variety of dishes including vegetables and fresh fish sold at the roadside station, set meals made with plenty of ingredients from Okayama Prefecture, rice balls made with Tamano's famous grains, homemade sweets, and breakfasts. There is also a takeout menu, perfect for picnics in the park.
Map of the introduced spots
Hydrangea flowering information is being updated
★We provide information on hydrangea blooming. Use it as reference when you go out.
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