8 Best Places to see Hydrangea in Kansai

Hydrangea is a seasonal flower which is native to Japan and there are more than 50 diverse varieties of this flower. In Japan, a rainy season called Tsuyu starts around mid-June, and actually many people hate this season because of this gloomy weather. However, at the same time, you can feel many Japanese attractions which can’t be found in any other season, and Hydrangea is one of them.   Hydrangea flowers change color depending on the acidity of the soil. We will introduce spots in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo where various kinds of hydrangeas such as blue, purple and pink bloom. <Table of Contents> 【Osaka, Suita】Expo ’70 Commemorative Park 【Osaka, Ikeda】Kyuan-ji Temple 【Kyoto, Ukyo-ku】Umenomiya-taisha Shrine 【Kyoto, Nishikyo-ku】Yoshimine Temple 【Kyoto, Nagaokakyo】Yanagitani-Kannon 【Hyogo, Kawanishi】Shounsan Raikouji Temple 【Hyogo, Kobe】Kobe Municipal Arboretum 【Hyogo, Rokko】Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden About 4,000 hydrangeas of about 30 varieties, including Western hydrangeas and Yaenoamacha, will be in full bloom at the Hydrangea Forest in the Nature Park of Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. Enjoy the fantastic space surrounded by diverse hydrangeas in red, blue, pink, etc. Kyuan-ji Temple has a path of hydrangeas so overgrown that they hide people. The gradation of hydrangeas on both sides of the path is a feast for the eyes. Floating hydrangeas on the pond are also popular as they look great on Instagram. The “Ajisai-Ukabe” usually held from mid to late June is even more impressive than the “Hana-Chozu”(flower water with handkerchiefs)! At Umenomiya Taisha Shrine, visitors can enjoy approximately 140 varieties of unique hydrangeas from the East Shrine Garden to the North Shrine Garden. You can also appreciate Hanashoubu, which blooms at the same time of the year. Located in the precincts of Yoshimine Temple halfway up the mountain is the Hakusan Hydrangea Garden, which boasts an area of 3,000 tsubo (about 1,000 square meters). About 8,000 hydrangea plants, including gaku hydrangea, color the entire slope of the garden. Visitors to Yanagitani Kannon can enjoy a cluster of about 5,000 hydrangea plants, including Japanese and Western hydrangeas. The hydrangea corridor in the precincts of the temple allows visitors to view the hydrangeas at their leisure without getting wet, even if it is raining. Yanagitani Kannon is famous for its “Hana-Chozu” (flower water with handkerchiefs). Many visitors come to the temple for Hana-Chozu, which is decorated with colorful seasonal flowers. Shounzan Raikoji Temple is commonly called “Hydrangea Temple. About 500 plants, including Western hydrangeas lovingly nurtured by the temple’s priests, bloom in large profusion. Take a stroll through the temple grounds and enjoy the different colors of the flowers. The Kobe City Forest Botanical Garden is home to many rare hydrangeas, such as the fantastic Citidanka flower and the clustered white Annabelle. The forest of approximately 50,000 hydrangeas of about 350 varieties is a sight to behold. At the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, located near the top of Mt. Rokko, 865 m above sea level, the “Shichidanka” hydrangea, said to be a phantom hydrangea, blooms. Characterized by its double-petaled flowers with overlapping petals, visitors can enjoy its pretty purple appearance. Also recommended is the “Hydrangea Garden,” where a wide variety of hydrangeas bloom, including the “Himehydrangea,” the city flower of Kobe City. Hydrangeas shine in the rain. Feel the change of the season by looking at the pretty blue, purple, and pink flowers.

3 Parks in Kansai You Can Enjoy With Your Family!

Don’t　you want to go to a park where you can play freely under the blue sky? There are many parks along the Hankyu line that are recommended for such occasions. -Relaxing in a café, playing with your children…. A place where you can enjoy yourself while relaxing and forgetting about everyday life. We have selected three such wonderful parks! I hope you find this helpful when considering where to go!   Table of Contents １ ＜Osaka＞ Ama Site Park ２ ＜Kobe＞ Meriken Park ３＜Osaka＞ Minoh Park Takatsuki City has been working for about 10 years to develop the Ama Site Park, and in March 2021, the park will finally be fully opened. The new landmark of Takatsuki City is about five times the size of the Koshien Stadium! It also has one of the largest family playgrounds in the Kansai region, “Bonelund Playville,” making it ideal for family outings. There are also stylish restaurants and kitchen cars, perfect for a date! At the large cafe “SUNDAY’S BAKE 569”, you can eat oven-baked pizza with a beer in one hand on open-air sofas or enjoy a barbecue on the terrace. If you want to enjoy an open-air lunch outdoors, take out from a kitchen car and eat on the lawn! For lunch, refreshing drinks starring herbs from our own garden, a “France-style salad” with a variety of seasonal vegetables and lunch with choice of soup are available. At night, the restaurant offers wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and a full trattoria menu. At night, the restaurant offers wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and a full trattoria menu. The symbol of the secondary opening area is a farm-style building with white walls and a red roof. This is the former Kyoto University Farm, built in 1930. It is a building of high historical value, selected as a Heritage of Osaka Prefecture’s Heritage of Modernization, and its stone spandrel walls and other features show the fashion of the time when it was built. The renovated building is divided into three main parts: the main building, the exhibition hall, and the experience hall. “RESTAURANT FARMERS CLUB”, which occupies the majority of the main building, is a casual French restaurant that combines an authentic bistro menu with Western flavors. It is characterized by its high ceilings and open space. Stylish first floor seating Retro classic upstairs seating GRASS DOG & CAT is a comprehensive pet service facility with a dog run, a trimming salon, and a dog kindergarten. The dog run is covered, so you can let your pet play without worrying about the weather! On the first floor, there is a large selection of pet food and pet goods. There is also a line of cute clothes for pets. If you want to take care of your dog or cat, go to the Trimming Corner. Not only shampooing and trimming, but also packs and mouth care are available.   There is a dog kindergarten on the second floor! There are also training courses and other activities in which owners can participate. We’re always open for trial enrollment, so if you’re interested, please feel free to contact us! *Reservations must be made in advance to experience the park. Next up is Camp Gear & Cafe BASE, a hands-on camping café. In addition to offering a cafe menu and weekly camping meals, they also sell camping gear! Inside the store, visitors can enjoy a cup of tea in the café and get acquainted with camping gear. The lamps and tumblers displayed on the wall are colorful and stylish! It makes you want to buy camping gear at “Camp Gear & Cafe BASE” and go camping.   The store sells mainly small items, but it has a complete lineup, so those who have camping plans can enjoy shopping while consulting with the store staff. Now, for those with children, there is one place you should definitely stop by. That is the membrane trampoline “Fluffy Dome” located just across from the “Camp Gear & Cafe BASE” I mentioned earlier! The Fluffy Dome is one of the most popular playground equipment in Japan these days. It is a trampoline where children can take off their shoes and stretch out in nature. Children can naturally develop their leg strength while bouncing around on the trampoline and playing tag or running with their friends. It must be a lot of fun bouncing around in the liberating Ama Site Park!   The target age group is from 3 years old to elementary school students. Please read the promise listed in front of the Fluffy Dome before letting your child play. After walking around the city of Kobe, take a short walk to a seaside park. Under the open sky, lie down on the soft grass, read a book, and enjoy the night view, which will lighten your heart. There is an open space where children can exercise to their heart’s content. At night, you can enjoy a different atmosphere of Meriken Park than in the daytime. “Starbucks Coffee Kobe Meriken Park” is a great spot to view the harbor from inside the store! The terrace is also recommended during this season when the breeze is pleasant. A short distance from Meriken Park is “átoa,” a new urban aquarium that opened on October 29, 2021. The name “átoa” is a coined word that combines the words “Aquarium to” and “Art”. The aquarium is divided into eight zones, with approximately 60 tanks housing 3,000 living creatures of about 100 species. The 2nd to 4th floors of KOBE PORT MUSEUM are “átoa”. Admission is 2,400 yen for adults, 1,400 yen for elementary school students, 800 yen for infants (3 years and older), and free for children (under 3 years old). At “átoa cafe” located on the 4th floor, you can enjoy cute and attractive gourmet food that will make you want to take pictures. Hand size otter chocolate manju　(600 yen)   The manju (Japanese sweet bun) has a well-designed otter expression on it! Inside was a chocolate cream filling that not only looked great, but tasted great, too! When you visit Kobe, please enjoy the family time at Meriken Park and átoa, a new type of urban aquarium! Located only 30 minutes by train from Umeda, Osaka, Minoh Park offers a rich natural environment where visitors can enjoy walking along a waterfall path with beautiful fresh greenery in May and fall foliage viewing in autumn. The park attracts many visitors for dates and family outings, whether it is for the fresh greenery in spring, the cool summer air, or the changing leaves in autumn. In the latter half of June, fireflies can be seen dancing along the clear riverbank. It is fun to stroll through the park at night in search of the fantastic light. Fireflies prefer the darkness of the riverbanks where the trees are thick, so from the trees near the Ichino Bridge near the park entrance to the bridge in front of Ryuanji Temple are particularly good spots to find them. The peak of the light emission is around 9:00 p.m. The best time to see the fireflies is in late June, but in recent years, the emitting season tends to be earlier. Please do not take fireflies home with you, but rather gently hold them in your hands and watch them. Also, be careful not to expose yourself to strong light such as flashlights or camera flashes. “Yamamoto Coffee House” is recommended for those who want to visit Minoh Park and enjoy the great outdoors while taking a breather at a cafe. The building looks like a villa in a summer resort, which is impressive. It is located right in the middle of Hankyu Minoh Station and Minoh Otaki Waterfall. The restaurant has a high quality atmosphere steeped in history, with stately furnishings and chairs. The collection of coffee cups and coffee utensils is also noteworthy. The coffee served in this retro store is brewed with a siphon coffee maker. Each cup is carefully brewed after the order is placed.   Among a total of about 10 types of coffee, including original blends and coffees by region, we especially recommend the “Yamamoto Special Coffee”. It is characterized by its easy-drinking quality, while highlighting the richness and bitterness of the coffee.   “Yamamoto Special Coffee”, served in a pot, is a generous two cups. Enjoying the aroma and taste of the coffee slowly and carefully while gazing at the rich natural surroundings is in short, the best! Be sure to enjoy a light meal or a piece of cake as well. How did you like it? The Hankyu line connects Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and other urban areas, but it is also characterized by a lot of greenery. There are many large parks along the line, and the characteristics of these parks vary. Please visit them for different purposes, such as playing with children on the many playground equipments, spending time at a relaxing café, or viewing beautiful flowers and insects.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe Spring Flower Spots

Spring is the season when all the plants and flowers that have been sleeping begin to move at once. Why don’t you go out to see colorful plants and flowers that give you a warm spring feeling? Here are some spots where you can enjoy flowers and plants in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Poppy is a member of the poppy family that has long been cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes. The seeds are also used in cooking. The Expo ’70 Park’s Shizen Bunka-en (Nature Park) and Hana-no-oka (Flower Hill) are decorated with approximately 380,000 poppies. The contrast of colors between the yellow and orange poppies and the fresh blue nemophila can also be enjoyed.   Best time to visit: early April to early May The Japanese Fuji is a species endemic to Japan and is mentioned in the Manyoshu (Anthology of Myriad Leaves). The long, hairpin-like flowers hang down in a drooping manner. Purple flowers are common, but white and pink flowers also exist. At Nakayama-dera Temple’s Star Plaza, there is a magnificent wisteria trellis that stretches about 80 meters. The rows of white wisteria flowers look like “clouds floating in a blue sky. The sweet fragrance of the flowers can also be enjoyed.   Best time to visit: Mid-April to late April Yamabuki is a deciduous shrub in the rose family with beautiful, almost orange-yellow flowers. The flower has been familiar to the Japanese people since ancient times. Matsuo-taisha Shrine, known as a place of famous water, has about 3,000 yamabuki trees, which turn the shrine grounds yellow. The Yamabuki Festival is held every year when the flowers are at their best.   Best time to visit: mid-April to early May It is very familiar in Japan and is often planted as a roadside tree or garden tree. It is loved by many people for its very vivid flowers. Vivid Kirishima azaleas are in full bloom at Hachijogaike Pond at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine. The crimson-tinged path surrounded by azalea plantings more than 2 meters high is magnificent.   Best time to visit: Late April – early May The peony is a plant that symbolizes beauty and has long been used as a design for crafts and paintings. It produces beautiful and large flowers like roses. There are 2,000 peony plants of about 30 varieties at Otokunidera Temple. Protected by white Japanese umbrellas for sun protection, the bright pink and red buttons bloom in large profusion.   Best time to visit: mid-April to early May Aomomiji refers to the leaves of maple trees that turn from young leaves in spring to increasingly darker green. You can enjoy the fresh and crisp leaves of ao-momiji until they turn red in the fall. Minoh Park is famous for its autumn leaves, but it is also very beautiful in the fresh green season. Enjoy forest bathing surrounded by the sparkling green maples in the sunlight while listening to the murmuring of a mountain stream and the chirping of wild birds.   Best time to visit: Late April to late May Roses have long been cultivated for perfumery and medicinal purposes.” It is said to be “the flower that symbolizes love,” and is often used in arrangements and bouquets because of its gorgeous appearance and wide variety of types and colors. At Aramaki Rose Park in Itami, approximately 10,000 roses bloom in a stylish southern European-style garden. The view of the park, with its sloping terrain and colorful colors, is a must-see. Best time to visit: Mid-May to mid-June Japanese Primrose is the largest member of the primrose family, with flower stalks that can reach 80 cm in length. It grows in clusters in wetlands at the foot of mountains. At the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, numerous alpine plants bloom from May to June. The 5,000 or so Japanese Primrose that fill the wetlands are especially breathtaking. Best time to visit: Mid-May to late May Water lilies are striking aquatic plants with flowers that seem to float above the water. It is widely distributed in ponds and swamps. Kyoyoike Pond at Ryoanji Temple, a World Heritage site, is famous for its water lilies. Not only white but also red and pink flowers cover most of the pond. The flowers often open in the morning and close at noon, so the best time to see them is in the morning.   Best time to visit: Mid-May to late August The colorful flowers that bloom in spring are a source of comfort and relaxation for those who see them. Why don’t you take advantage of the warm, sunny weather and visit some of the best places and spots for flowers in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe?

Natural spots close to the city　Myoken-no-mori

Mt. Myoken, which straddles southeastern Hyogo Prefecture and northern Osaka. The Myoken-no-mori stretches halfway up this mountain. Only one hour from Umeda, Osaka. It is a day-trip leisure spot where you can feel nature as it is throughout the seasons. From access to Myoken-no-mori spot information, here are some details. Take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line from Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station and transfer to the Nose Railway at Kawanishi-noseguchi Station. Once on the Nose Railway, head for Myokenguchi Station, the last stop on the Myoken Line. Myokenguchi Station is located in the northernmost part of Osaka Prefecture. The wooden station building and the old-fashioned red post box in front of the station are picturesque. From Myokenguchi Station, take a leisurely walk to Myoken-no-mori Cable Car Kurokawa Station while enjoying the expansive countryside scenery. It takes about 20 minutes. The Myoken-no-Mori Cable Car is the gateway to the Myoken-no-mori. With a total length of 666 m and a height difference of 223 m, the cable car connects Kurokawa Station to Sanjo Station in 5 minutes. From the windows of the train, visitors can view the satoyama landscape, which is said to be the best in Japan. You can enjoy the scenery of each of the four seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. There is a “Myoken-no-mori Footbath on Sanjo ” right after getting off Sanjo Station. Surrounded by nature, visitors can soak in a footbath and overlook the satoyama landscape. A short walk from Sanjo Station is the Fureai Hiroba. It is a place of recreation and relaxation for many people, including those who enjoy nature in peace and quiet, and children who play with their whole bodies. At the Fureai Hiroba, there is Myoken-no-Mizu, natural mineral water full of nature’s blessings, which gushes out from 171 meters underground. It is well known for its delicious taste in tea, coffee, and even as a water mix for alcohol. You can taste it for free. You can also bring a plastic bottle or water bottle to take home. Visitors can also enjoy “Kawarake-throwing” on the observation deck. Kawarake- throwing  is a game of throwing earthenware sake cups and plates from high places to ward off evil spirits. It is said that if you can throw an unglazed plate toward the circle and let it pass through, your wish will come true. When you come to Myoken-no-mori, please enjoy barbecue in an open space surrounded by rich nature. Cooking utensils can be rented free of charge, and food can be procured locally, so you can come empty-handed! A wide variety of food items are available, from value-priced food sets (reservations required) to individual items and drink menus. Please taste the finest Japanese beef. Covered seating is also available, so you don’t have to worry even if it rains. There’s even wooden playground equipment in the facility for the kids! Cherry tree valley and Maple valley are named after the beautiful scenery that can be seen from Fureai Hiroba, with cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. A walking trail has been established so that visitors can admire the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves at close range. The symbolic tree of the cherry/edohigan colony that can be enjoyed in the spring is the ” Tae cherry tree of meeting of destiny”. It is a magnificent large tree with a height of 21 meters and a trunk circumference of 259 meters. The wish is that many people will have wonderful encounters under the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming on Mt. Myoken. The Myoken-no-Mori Lift, which goes up from Fureai Hiroba to Mt. Myokenzan, allows visitors to enjoy a walk in the air while admiring the seasonal flowers. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, hydrangeas are in full bloom in summer, and the autumn leaves are magnificent in fall. Nose Myokenzan, a sacred place of worship of the North Star, which enshrines the star “Polaris” that governs our destiny. The main hall is dedicated to Myoken Daibosatsu, the guardian deity of good fortune. It is said that there are eight stars that guard the North Star. Since ancient times, it has also been customary to dedicate a horse to the gods in order to have wishes fulfilled. There are also eight sacred horses that protect Nose Myokenzan on the temple grounds according to the eight stars. Please look for the eight sacred horses of various sizes. There is also a horse fortune. The horse dolls, each with a different expression, can be taken home to be used as good luck charms or dedicated in the ema hall. “Polar Star Entrance Station” was created in the image of the Nose Electric Railway station 100 years ago, and was created at an art event in 2013. The railroad tracks head in the direction of the North Star in the sky. This is a great spot to take nice pictures. The “Swing on the Mountain” was created together with an artist who is developing swing-related projects throughout the country. This work is to be viewed with one’s thoughts on a swing suspended from a frame that seems to jut out into the sky from the observation deck. Myoken-no-mori is a great place to visit with family and friends. In addition to leisure experiences, hiking, bird watching, and seasonal flowers will leave adults and children feeling liberated! Why not get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a day in nature?

Recommended! Cherry blossom viewing spots in Kobe and Osaka

Spring in Japan means “cherry blossoms”. Here are some cherry blossom spots scattered throughout Osaka and Kobe. Shukugawa Park has a beautiful view of the cherry blossoms reflected in the river. It has been selected as one of the “100 Best Places for Cherry Blossoms” and is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. The path lined with cherry blossom trees on both banks is a perfect walking course. You can also enjoy the cherry blossoms from the nearest station, Hankyu Shukugawa Station. At Hankyu Shukugawa Station, there’s a cute bench with a cherry blossom motif! Opened in 1951, Oji Zoo is one of the best leisure spots in Kobe where parents and children can enjoy a full day of close observation of animals. Oji Zoo is also a great place to enjoy cherry blossoms. There are about 480 cherry trees in the park alone, and nearly 800 cherry trees in the entire Oji Park. The collaboration of animals and cherry blossoms, including giraffes and elephants, is fascinating. Please enjoy the warm weather and be healed by the animals. Sumaura Sanjo Yuen Park is a popular amusement park for parents and children, where you can enjoy the view of the blue sky and the sea. You can get there by taking the Sumaura ropeway and gondola. You can see the collaboration of cherry blossoms with Osaka Bay and Akashi Strait. It is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot in Kobe. The number of cherry trees in bloom here and there in the park is one of the largest in Kobe. The “Hana no michi” that leads from Hankyu Takarazuka Station to Takarazuka Grand Theatre is filled with cherry blossoms in spring. The tunnel of cherry blossoms in full bloom looks like a flower path on a stage. It is also popular among Takarazuka Revue fans. This lush green park stretches around Osaka Castle and offers a spectacular view of cherry blossoms with the castle tower in the background. The Nishinomaru Garden, surrounded by important cultural properties, is famous for its approximately 300 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino. The “Naniwa Tanken Cruise with Rakugo Storytellers,” which offers sightseeing in Osaka City with the entertaining guidance of Rakugo storytellers, will be operated as the “Cherry Blossom Special Cruise” for a limited time in spring. This is a very popular cruise every year, where you can enjoy the rows of cherry blossom trees that are slightly tinted with spring colors from the surface of the river. The cruise takes about 120 minutes and you can see the cherry blossoms along the Okawa River. Satsukiyama Ryokuchi, located in Ikeda, Osaka, is a popular spot where you can enjoy a free zoo, hiking, barbecues, and playground equipment all day long. On weekends during the holiday season, the park is crowded with families with children and hikers. From the entrance of the park to the Hinomaru Observatory at the top of the mountain, Someiyoshino and Yamazakura cherry trees are in full bloom everywhere. Myoken-no-Mori is a play area where you can get in touch with nature, only about an hour away from Osaka Umeda. It is 666 meters long, with a height difference of 223 meters, and can be reached by cable car in five minutes. While enjoying the cherry blossoms spilling out at eye level, take a walk in the air by cable car or lift. The distant view of the mountain in spring is also a sight to behold. You can also enjoy barbecues and footbaths on the mountain, making it a great place to go in spring. In the Kobe area and Osaka area, there are many spots where you can enjoy cherry blossoms along with large parks and natural spots such as mountains and rivers. Please enjoy the spring time with your family and friends.

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