June is a tricky time to be in Japan. Consecutive days of rain, laundry that doesn’t dry so well, excursions cut short because of squalls…
However, the plentiful watering does bring a positive event with it: the riotous blooming of hydrangeas. An attractive weed, they grow easily and brighten up the city and parks with their shades of blue, violet and pink blush.
One of the most famous places to view a whole hillside of blooms is Hasedera in Kamakura, a major temple close to the Great Buddha statue. Of course, this means that on weekends, you could end up waiting a couple of hours for a chance to shuffle up and down the stairways amongst the flowers.
To beat the crowds, get there first thing in the morning, preferably on a weekday. Then, you will only have a few photography enthusiasts (and maybe a couple local cats) to compete with, and will have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful flowers at leisure. The hydrangeas typically bloom from around the beginning of June to early July.
The closest station is Hase, on the charming Enoshima Dentetsu (Enoden) Line.
Hasedera: https://www.hasedera.jp/en/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PdtdUg4ryN92uu8WA
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