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About eight thousand vividly colored hydrangeas in Yoshimine-dera Temple

Oharano area is blessed with great natural beauty and dotted with historic shrines and temples. Among others, I am going to introduce Yoshimine-dera Temple where hydrangeas of various colors bloom during the rainy season.

Half an hour by bus from JR Mukomachi Station or Hankyu Higashimuko Station, the temple is easy to get to. As the bus pulls away from the station and heads toward the mountain, you pass through a landscape full of green fields and bamboo gloves. When you get off the bus at your destination on the mountain side, the air is filled with the gentle murmuring of a stream and the twittering of birds.

As you pass through the imposing main gate and pass into the precincts of Yoshimine-dera Temple, you will find yourself surrounded by flowers that bloom all year around. You can walk around and visit temples such as the main hall, a temple dedicated to the Kannon, while enjoying a variety of seasonal flowers.

The highlight of the temple is an impressive pine tree called Yuryu no Matsu. It is over six hundred years old and grows horizontally stretching 37 meters along the ground. It has been designated as a nationally protected species. People imagine that the tree resembles the shape of a living dragon.

Besides the traditional cherry blossoms and autumn leaves for which Kyoto is famous, Yoshimine-dera Temple boasts beautiful hydrangeas. About eight thousand hydrangeas, including Hortensia and lacecap hydrangeas, are usually at their best from mid-June to early July.

The hydrangea garden is a gently rolling depression, so you can enjoy it from different angles by walking in the garden or looking down from above.

Pray for a peaceful world serenely surrounded by riches of nature

A stone statue of Jizo, guardian deity of happiness, stands on a balcony overlooking the hydrangea garden. A plaque in front of the statue reads "Let's wish for the happiness of someone other than ourselves". It might be a good idea to allow some time to think of not only yourself but someone, perhaps someone living in the world that you have not met yet, and pray for the peace of the world.

Be sure to enjoy the magnificent view of the colorful hydrangeas right below your eyes from the building. Wet hydrangeas emerging in mist are truly fantastic. A rainy day when you would usually hesitate to go out is perfect for appreciating these flowers. On a clear day, you can look out over the whole city and Mt. Hiei from the temple precincts.

Because the grounds are large, covering about 100,000 square meters and full of ups and downs, I recommend shoes and clothing that make walking easy. Why don't you enjoy hydrangeas looking fresh in the rain and feel positively refreshed?

Yoshimine-dera Temple