Ajisai Festival 2026 Opens in Hino

7,800 Hydrangeas in Bloom Throughout June in Hino

Every June, the grounds of Takahata Fudo-son Kongo-ji temple in Hino City become the most colorful place in the Tama area. The annual Takahata Fudo Ajisai Festival runs from June 1 to June 30, filling the hillside with 7,800 hydrangea plants spanning 250 varieties.

Admission is free. The mountain trail known as the "Sannaichi 88 Sacred Sites" route winds through the grounds, bringing visitors face-to-face with hydrangeas at every turn. The rainy season makes hydrangeas particularly beautiful — their petals glisten with moisture, and the misty atmosphere adds a quiet, dreamlike quality.

The temple is just 5 minutes on foot from Takahata-Fudo Station (Keio Line / Tama Monorail), making it easy to drop by on a whim. Visiting on a weekday morning or just after rainfall reveals a completely different atmosphere from the crowded weekend scene.

250 Varieties — Extraordinary Diversity

Most people picture a round blue or purple flower head when they think of hydrangeas. But the collection at Takahata Fudo-son is defined by its extraordinary variety — 250 distinct species.

• Gaku-ajisai (Lacecap): The native Japanese form, with small clustered flowers at the center surrounded by larger petals. Simple and elegant.
• Hon-ajisai (Mophead): The classic round flower head in blue, purple, pink, and white — the variety most commonly seen.
• Yama-ajisai (Mountain Hydrangea): A small-flowered mountain variety with delicate, photogenic coloring.
• Ko-ajisai (Small Hydrangea): A rare species with tiny clustered blossoms and a faint, pleasant fragrance.
• Annabelle: An American variety producing large, pure-white spherical flower heads. Increasingly popular in recent years.

Few places in the Tama area offer this range of hydrangea species in one location. Because different varieties peak at slightly different times, visiting in early, mid, and late June each delivers a fresh experience.

The History and Highlights of Takahata Fudo-son

Takahata Fudo-son Kongo-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple established in the Heian period and counted among the Three Great Fudo Temples of the Kanto region. Over its long history it has drawn devoted worshippers from across the area.

The grounds house numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, including the Fudo-do (Dainichi-do) hall rebuilt in the late Edo period. The five-story pagoda towers over the hillside, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding hydrangeas — one of the signature photographic compositions of the festival.

The hydrangeas are planted mainly in the "san-nai" hillside area, accessible via the 88 Sacred Sites pilgrimage route. Walking the trail doubles as both a temple visit and a flower stroll — something uniquely possible at Takahata Fudo-son.

June 7: The Sando Ajisai Festival

On Sunday, June 7, the Takahata Sando Ajisai Festival brings the temple's approach street to life alongside the main temple grounds.

The shopping street running along the approach joins the celebration with food stalls from local shops and performances by community groups. The whole street is decorated with hydrangeas, deepening the festival atmosphere.

The sando offers Japanese sweets, prepared foods, and locally grown vegetables and crafts. The famous Takahata manju (sweet bean buns) are a must-try. Combining the temple grounds and the sando on June 7 makes for a full half-day of early summer in Hino.

Best Photo Spots and Visiting Tips

Takahata Fudo-son is well known among camera enthusiasts, with countless photos posted on Instagram and other social media each June. It has firmly established itself as one of the premier flower destinations in the Tama area.

Top photo spots

• Five-story pagoda framed by hydrangeas: Use the pagoda as a backdrop and include the hillside blooms in the foreground.
• Stone stairway lined with hydrangeas: The steps flanked on both sides by hydrangeas offer excellent depth-of-field compositions.
• Early morning after rain: Water droplets on the petals create the most luminous, expressive shots.

Timing tips

To avoid crowds, aim for a weekday morning. Weekends in June draw large numbers of visitors, but weekdays are quiet enough for a leisurely stroll. Peak bloom is typically mid- to late June.

Bring an umbrella — a light rain actually enhances the mood. Wear shoes with good grip; the hillside trail includes stone steps that can be slippery.

Getting There and Nearby Spots

Takahata Fudo-son is a 5-minute walk from Takahata-Fudo Station (Keio Line) and also walkable from Tama Dobutsukoen Station (Tama Monorail).

The approach street offers a variety of cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops — including long-established wagashi (Japanese confectionery) makers and local farm produce stalls. Resting at the sando after exploring the grounds is the ideal way to end a visit.

The Ajisai Festival runs through June 30. Make the most of the rainy season and visit Takahata Fudo-son while the hydrangeas are in bloom.