Hydrangeas in Bloom at Kakogawa's Enshoji Temple | ~90 Varieties, Peak Through Around July 5

At Enshoji Temple in Shikata-cho, Kakogawa, more than 350 hydrangea plants of around 90 varieties are now in bloom. According to Kakogawa City, the overall bloom runs from mid-June to mid-July, the peak lasts through around July 5, and the staggered "bloom relay" continues through early July. Because the varieties peak at different times, the hydrangeas you see change from day to day.

Bloom timing

The "bloom relay" refers to the way different varieties peak at different times. As the early bloomers fade, the later ones color up, so other varieties may still be visible even after the main peak. Timing shifts with the weather, so if you are after a specific variety, the official bloom updates are your best guide.

A "flower temple" of rare varieties

What sets Enshoji's hydrangeas apart is the range of varieties, not just the numbers. Alongside the usual blue and purple, the grounds include unusual types such as Hakujuko, which shifts from white to red, and Mangekyo, which shows a blue-and-white gradation.

Enshoji is not a hydrangea-only temple. It is known as a "flower temple" where the seasons rotate—hellebores and camellias in spring, red spider lilies in autumn, and weeping plum in winter—with hydrangeas as the early-summer lead.

A temple founded in 1441

Enshoji is a Jodo Shinshu temple said to have been founded in 1441 (Kakitsu 1), moving to its current site in 1998 (Heisei 10). The grounds hold a bronze bell (a Kakogawa City–designated cultural property) said to have been used as a camp bell by Hashiba Hideyoshi during his campaign to pacify the Chugoku region and left here on his return to the capital. The main hall's ceiling is also described as having pink lighting that evokes lotus flowers. Even on a flower-viewing trip, there is plenty to see as a temple.

Getting there from Kobe and beyond

Enshoji sits in Shikata-cho, Kakogawa. Per the Kakogawa Tourism Association, by public transport you take the Kako Bus Mini Shikata-Higashi route from JR Hoden Station, get off at Hiroo-Nishi, and walk about 5 minutes. By car, there is a free park (about 40 spaces) roughly 20 m southeast of the temple, and from the Kobe and Osaka direction a car is the easier option. Hours are generally 6:00–18:00.

Hydrangeas deepen in color in the rain, and the city itself highlights Enshoji as a spot that "shines on rainy days." During the rainy season, when outdoor plans are hard to make, flower spots you can visit with rain in mind are rare.