<p>Hydrangeas of all hues can be seen at Hondo-ji</p>

Hydrangeas of all hues can be seen at Hondo-ji (Photo: Mandy Bartok)

Flowers at Hondo-ji

Hydrangeas and irises make a trip to Chiba worthwhile

Mandy Bartok Jun 23, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Hydrangeas of all hues can be seen at Hondo-ji</p>

<p>There are over 10,000 hydrangeas planted at Hondo-ji</p>

<p>The grounds are beautiful in their summer greenery</p>

<p>A passage of hydrangeas near a sub temple</p>

<p>Close-up of a stunning bloom</p>

<p>The main color here is purple hydrangeas, unlike the famed blue hydrangeas of Kamakura</p>

<p>An iris in bloom in the temple's inner garden</p>

<p>The bridge through the iris garden</p>

<p>The five-story pagoda fronted by hydrangea</p>

<p>Candy snacks packaged to look like hydrangea</p>

A short ride outside the city in Chiba prefecture, Hondo-ji (or Hondo Temple) welcomes visitors in the rainy season with its 10,000 hydrangea bushes and iris garden. Originally founded in the 13th century by Nichiren (who went on to start the Nichiren sect of Buddhism), the temple is known for its five-pagoda and its beautiful display of seasonal flowers and leaves. Sharp-eyed visitors may also spy the grave of the wife of Tokugawa Ieyasu (first Tokugawa shogun and essential unifier of Japan). Despite the gorgeous flowers, the temple is rarely crowded on weekdays. Hondo-ji is well-signed from Kita-Kogane station (a ten minute walk from door to door).

Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok

Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.