If you're in Japan in June, Kamakura is one of the best places in the country to see hydrangeas (ajisai). For a few weeks each rainy season, the stone steps and temple gardens of this seaside town near Tokyo fill with thousands of blue and purple blooms, and people come from across Japan and overseas to see them.
Kamakura's hydrangeas usually start opening in late May and peak from mid- to late June, sometimes lasting into early July. And here's the upside of rainy season: hydrangeas actually look their best on cloudy or drizzly days, when the colors turn deep and saturated.
This guide covers the two most famous spots, Meigetsuin (明月院), known as “the hydrangea temple,” and Hasedera (長谷寺), with its hillside Hydrangea Path, plus Goryo Shrine (御霊神社), where the Enoden train passes right in front of the torii gate.
For each, you'll find bloom timing, admission fees, how the reservation system works, and tips for dodging the worst of the crowds.
Note: Bloom timing shifts with the weather each year. Always check each temple's official website before you go.
1. Meigetsuin (Kita-Kamakura): The “Hydrangea Temple” and Its Famous Blue
For many people, Meigetsuin in Kita-Kamakura is the first place that comes to mind when they think of Kamakura's hydrangeas. Nicknamed “the hydrangea temple” (ajisai-dera), it has around 2,500 hydrangea plants concentrated along its approach. Most are a variety called Hime-ajisai, whose clear blue flowers blanket the grounds in a shade so distinctive it's been named “Meigetsuin Blue.” There's also a popular photo spot looking through the temple's round window (the “Window of Enlightenment”) onto the garden beyond, though it gets especially packed during hydrangea season.
For 2026, the special hydrangea viewing period runs June 1–30. During this time the temple is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.), longer than usual. Admission is ¥500 for high school students and older, and ¥300 for elementary and junior-high students. When the rear garden behind the main hall is open, it costs an additional ¥500. As of late May 2026, Meigetsuin's hydrangeas were already at their best, with peak conditions expected to continue into early June.
Getting there: About a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka Line).
Crowd tip: On peak weekends, lines form before the gates even open. Aim for a weekday morning, ideally right at opening.
2. Hasedera (Hase): Reserve Your “Ajisai Ticket” Online
Perched on a hillside overlooking the sea, Hasedera is famous for its Hydrangea Path (ajisai-michi), where more than 40 varieties, around 2,500 plants in all, cover the slope. A walking trail winds through the blooms, and from the top you can look out over Yuigahama Beach.
Because it's so popular, the path gets very crowded at peak bloom, so Hasedera requires a separate “ajisai ticket” (¥500, elementary age and up) to enter it. This is on top of the regular temple admission (¥400 for adults, ¥200 for children). From April through June, the temple admits visitors from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m.
You can buy the ajisai ticket on-site the same day, but quantities are limited, and once they're gone, you can't enter the path. To avoid missing out, reserve online through the official site. For 2026, online reservations open on Tuesday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. for the June 6 (Sat)–12 (Fri) period (¥500 per person, up to 10 people per booking). Bookings for the following weeks are scheduled to open on June 9 (covering June 13–19) and June 16 (covering June 20–26). Each reservation gives you a 60-minute window to enter the Hydrangea Path area, and you can cancel up to the day before. Popular time slots fill fast, so book as soon as your dates are set. Timing may shift with bloom conditions, so check Hasedera's official site before you go.
Keep in mind that it's roughly 80 steps to reach the path, plus about 130 more steps along the path itself, with no ramps, so wear comfortable shoes. The temple also offers special seasonal goshuin seals during hydrangea season.
Getting there: A 5-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway). By bus from Kamakura or Ofuna stations, get off at “Hase Kannon” and walk about 5 minutes.
3. Goryo Shrine (Sakanoshita): Hydrangeas and the Enoden Train
A few minutes' walk from Hasedera, Goryo Shrine sits right beside the railway, with the Enoden train passing directly in front of its torii gate. Along the “hydrangea lane” behind the main hall, you can enjoy the blooms as part of a visit to the shrine. In hydrangea season, the sight of the little green train slipping past the flowers is a quintessentially Kamakura scene, and it draws many visitors each year.
That said, photography is not allowed within the shrine grounds. The crossing area is also narrow, so always follow on-site signs and staff instructions, and never step onto the tracks or block the way to take a photo.
Getting there: A 5-minute walk from Hase Station (Enoden).
4. Tokeiji and More Around Kita-Kamakura
Besides Meigetsuin, Kita-Kamakura is also home to Tokeiji (東慶寺), affectionately known as a “flower temple.” Hydrangeas bloom quietly along the stone-paved approach leading in from the gate, and because it's far less crowded than Meigetsuin, it's a calmer place to take it all in. Note that photography isn't permitted within Tokeiji's grounds, so it suits quietly admiring the flowers more than taking pictures. Meigetsuin, Tokeiji, Engakuji, and Kenchoji are all within walking distance of Kita-Kamakura Station, making it easy to spend a morning temple-hopping.
A Half-Day Route and Crowd Tips
Kamakura's hydrangea spots fall into two areas: Kita-Kamakura (Meigetsuin, Tokeiji) and Hase (Hasedera, Goryo Shrine). To cover both efficiently, start early at Meigetsuin in Kita-Kamakura, then take the JR one stop to Kamakura Station and transfer to the Enoden down to Hase.
The biggest crowds hit on weekends in mid- to late June. If you can, go on a weekday morning, the earlier the better. Rainy days can actually be a good choice: the flowers look richer, and there are often fewer people.
Bring a folding umbrella or rain gear and non-slip shoes. If you need to pick up rain gear after you arrive, our guide on "where to buy it in Japan" has you covered.
Getting to Kamakura from Tokyo
Kamakura is an easy day trip from Tokyo. The JR Yokosuka Line runs from Tokyo Station to Kamakura in about an hour, and Kita-Kamakura is on the same line.
The Enoden then connects Kamakura with Hase and Gokurakuji. If you'll be hopping on and off trains and buses throughout the day, a Suica or PASMO IC card makes the trip much smoother.
More to Read This Season
- 6 Best Hydrangea Spots in Tokyo | 2026 Bloom Dates & Festival Guide
- Tokyo's Firefly Magic: 5 Places to Catch Hotaru in the City This Early Summer (2026)
- What to Wear in Japan in June: Your Complete Guide to Dressing for Rainy Season
Official Links
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.
