The Hydrangeas of Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka: Video Introduction

This video, titled "Osaka Walk - Kyuanji Temple Hydrangea in the pond 4K HDR Japan," was uploaded by "Osaka BlackCat."

In Japan, hydrangeas blooms in June, the rainy season. This video shows the beautiful floating hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple—a temple on the Kansai Flower Temple pilgrimage—which can be seen each year in June.

Please enjoy the photogenic sight of the colorful hydrangeas floating on the surface of the water, as well as the solemn beauty of the temple's rich natural setting.

An Introduction to Kyuanji Temple, a Kansai Flower Temple

Photo：Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka

Kansai Flower Temples refers to a group of 25 temples in Japan's Kansai region that are famous for their flowers. Kyuanji Temple in Ikeda, Osaka, is the 12th temple on the list of Kansai Flower Temples and is a member of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism. Surrounded by nature, the temple grounds cover an area of 20,000 tsubo (16 acres), where beautiful scenery, such as hydrangeas, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, azaleas, and peonies can be seen throughout the year.

Kyuanji Temple has a history of more than 1,200 years. In the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1598 A.D.), the temple was visited by the famous Japanese warlord and well-known hobbyist Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and has been loved by many visitors as a historic temple used for tsukimi (moon viewing) and tea ceremony.

Shuin stamp collectors can pick up a special kirie shuin, available only during the rainy season. It features a hydrangea and the main deity of the temple, Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy). The artistic kirie shuin stamp is truly one-of-a-kind. In the fall, a shuin stamp with a design of autumn leaves is also available for a limited time, making it a must-visit spot for collectors.

See the Photogenic Floating Hydrangeas in June!

Photo：Hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka

Kyuanji Temple has approximately 1,000 hydrangea plants of six different varieties planted on its grounds. The sight of the colorful purple, yellow, red, and blue hydrangeas floating on Gusokuike Pond is especially photogenic. The hydrangeas glistening in the sunlight are so beautiful that it's like paradise.
[Video] 0:00 - Floating Hydrangeas

The hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple begin blooming in early June each year, and the Ajisai Ukabe "Floating Hyndragea" event is held in mid-June, when the early blooming hydrangeas can be seen floating on the pond.

The hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple can be enjoyed from mid-June to early July, an in 2022, they were at their best in late June. The blooming status is announced on the Kyuanji Temple Instagram (@kyuanji) from time to time. Be sure to check it out before visiting.

Other Attractions at Kyuanji Temple

Photo：Autumn leaves at Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka

Kyuanji Temple is decorated with a variety of flowers throughout the year, but its highlights are not limited to hydrangea and autumn leaves.

The large tower gate is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The roof of the gate has a unique appearance and is said to resemble a bird spreading its wings in preparation for flight.

The Hall of the Reclining Buddha, a pagoda where the image of the reclining Buddha is enshrined, is decorated with relief sculptures of Buddha on the walls, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
In the garden Koku-en, visitors can enjoy weeping cherry blossoms and other seasonal flowers. The entrance fee to Kyuanji Temple is 300 yen.
[Video] 1:09 - Koku-en Garden

How to Get to Kyuanji Temple in Ikeda, Osaka

Since Kyuanji Temple is surrounded by nature, it is often thought to be in an inconvenient location in the mountains, but it's surprisingly accessible! From Ikeda Station, on the Hankyu Raolway, it's a 15-minute ride to the temple via Hankyu bus. If you're driving, the temple is located approximately 5 km (~15 mins) from Hankyu Ikeda Station. The temple has a free parking lot, but please note that during the hydrangea season, the free parking lot can fill up quickly.

Things to Do Near Kyuanji Temple

Kyuanji Temple is another temple located in a somewhat remote location. Because of this, you'll need to make your way back into the nearby city of Ikeda to find other things to do, but there's no shortage once you arrive. Here are a couple things to do nearby.

Satsukiyama Zoo
Satsukiyama Zoo is located approximately 20 minutes from Kyuanji Temple. The zoo is home to a variety of different animals, such as rabbits, wallabies, ponies, etc., and is a nice spot to see the cherry blossoms in Osaka in the spring. The zoo is also completely free to enter.

Hours: 9:15 am - 4:45 pm. Shop hours are 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (Mon. - Fri.) and 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sat. & Sun.)
Closed: Tuesdays
Admission Fee: Free

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM
Located 25 minutes from Kyuanji Temple and 20 minutes by train or on foot from Satsukiyama Park, the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM shares the story of cup noodles and how they came to be, as well as the life of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of cup noodles. There are also workshops inside the museum where you can make chicken ramen or make your own unique cup noodles package. Admission to the museum is free.

Hours: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm (Last entry 3:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesdays and Year-end/New Years Holidays. ※If Tuesday is a National Holiday, the museum will be closed the following day.
Admission Fee: Free

There are many more things to do in the area, so we recommend doing your research before visiting so you can build the perfect itinerary!

Summary of Hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple

Photo：Hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka

We hope you enjoyed this introduction to the hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple. In the video, it was a beautiful sunny day with the sun shining through the trees, but hydrangeas bloom during the rainy season. If you plan on visiting Kyuanji Temple to see them, don't forget to bring rain gear. Summer is just around the corner once the rainy season ends, so consider visiting Kyuanji Temple in June. You can take some wonderful photos during your visit and share the traditional Japanese aesthetics on Instagram!

【TripAdvisor】Kyuanji Temple