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鎌
SEASONAL
Kamakura Hydrangeas: June Bloom Guide for Meigetsuin and Hasedera
Every June, Kamakura turns blue and purple with hydrangeas. This guide covers the best spots — especially Meigetsuin and Hasedera — with peak-bloom timing, crowd-avoidance tips, and a half-day pilgrimage route from Kita-Kamakura.
暦
Author
Koyomi
| Seasons & Customs
Contents
MOKUJI
一
June in Kamakura: The Hydrangea Season
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二
Bloom Calendar
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三
Meigetsuin — "The Hydrangea Temple"
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四
Hasedera — 2,500 Plants with an Ocean View
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五
Half-Day Route from Kita-Kamakura
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六
Why Rainy Days Are the Best Days
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七
FAQ
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June in Kamakura: The Hydrangea Season
Kamakura’s rainy season (June–early July) transforms the ancient temple town into a sea of blue, purple, and white hydrangeas. Far from being a deterrent, the misty drizzle actually deepens the flowers’ colors and adds a contemplative mood to the stone-paved paths. This guide focuses on the two main spots — Meigetsuin and Hasedera — with timing, crowd tips, and a half-day route.
Bloom Calendar
Spot
Peak Timing
Character
Meigetsuin
Early–mid June
“Kamakura Blue” hime-ajisai fills the approach
Hasedera
Mid–late June
2,500 plants; sea view from the hillside
Jomyoji
Mid-June
Teahouse garden; quiet and elegant
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Late June
Hydrangeas along Genji-ike pond
Jufukuji
Mid-June
Hidden gem; small, uncrowded precinct
Meigetsuin — “The Hydrangea Temple”
Meigetsuin is Kamakura’s most celebrated hydrangea destination, known for the singular sight of its long approach completely lined with pale blue hime-ajisai — a shade so distinctive it’s called “Kamakura Blue.”
The temple opens at 8:30 a.m. Arriving at opening is essential on weekends, when queues form by 10 a.m. The famous circular window in the main hall frames the rear garden perfectly and is especially popular; in June, the back garden is opened to visitors for an additional fee.
Key details:
•
10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka Line)
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Admission: 600 yen in June (slightly higher than usual)
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Seasonal goshuin and hydrangea charms available at the temple shop
Hasedera — 2,500 Plants with an Ocean View
Hasedera’s hydrangea path is a hillside garden with about 2,500 plants in multiple varieties — hime-ajisai, gaku-ajisai, and kashiwa-ba-ajisai, among others. The viewing platform at the top looks out over Sagami Bay, offering the unique experience of blue hydrangeas in the foreground and blue ocean in the background.
On peak weekends, a numbered ticket system controls access to the hydrangea path. Check the temple’s official website or social media on the morning of your visit for real-time crowd updates.
Key details:
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5-minute walk from Hase Station (Enoshima Electric Railway)
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Admission: 400 yen (main precinct); hydrangea path may have additional fee during peak season
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The 9.18-meter eleven-faced Kannon statue inside is one of Japan’s largest wooden Buddhist sculptures
Half-Day Route from Kita-Kamakura
1.
8:30 — Arrive at Kita-Kamakura Station, walk to Meigetsuin (60 min)
2.
10:00 — Stop by Jufukuji on the return walk (30 min)
3.
11:00 — Walk to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (40 min)
4.
12:30 — Lunch at Komachi-dori
5.
14:00 — Enoshima Electric Railway to Hase → Hasedera (70 min)
Why Rainy Days Are the Best Days
Raindrops intensify hydrangeas’ colors and add poetry to mossy temple paths. Slip-resistant footwear is the main precaution needed. A full-length umbrella is more comfortable than a compact one for a leisurely stroll.
FAQ
When exactly do Meigetsuin’s hydrangeas peak?
Usually around June 10–15, though this shifts a week earlier or later depending on the year. Check local bloom reports or Meigetsuin’s official updates before traveling.
Do I need a numbered ticket for Hasedera’s hydrangea path?
On busy weekends and holidays, yes. Arrive early or check the temple’s social media for real-time crowd conditions. Weekdays generally don’t require tickets.
Are hydrangeas in Kamakura safe to touch?
Please don’t touch or pick them. Some hydrangea varieties contain mildly toxic compounds, and the temples request that visitors refrain from handling the flowers to preserve them for all visitors.
Last updated: May 2026
明月院, related to 鎌倉のあじさい
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
長谷寺, related to 鎌倉のあじさい
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
寿福寺, related to 鎌倉のあじさい
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
鶴岡八幡宮, related to 鎌倉のあじさい
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
浄妙寺, related to 鎌倉のあじさい
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
── 了 ──
暦
Author
Koyomi（こよみ）
Seasons & Customs
Toku editorial team — seasons and customs. Former travel-magazine editor delivering bloom timings, annual rituals and visit etiquette in sense-laden prose accessible to first-timers.
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This article was
♡ Helpful
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詣
Visit Related Places
History truly comes alive when you visit in person. Choose your next destination from the related sites and pilgrimage courses below.
1. Meigetsuin
World-famous as Kamakura's 'Hydrangea Temple' — the circular 'Window of Enlightenment' is its signature view
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2. Hasedera
Japan's largest wooden Kannon (9.18m) — Bando Pilgrimage Station 4, famed for hydrangeas and ocean views
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3. Jufukuji
Founded by Masako with Eisai — Kamakura's 3rd Zen temple, with Masako and Sanetomo's cave tombs
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4. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Kamakura's guardian shrine since Yoritomo's 1180 relocation — site of Sanetomo's assassination by the great ginkgo
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5. Jomyoji
Kamakura's Fifth Great Zen Temple — founded by Ashikaga Yoshikane, where Zen meets matcha
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Bandō 33 Kannon Pilgrimage
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