Saga

<p>Over 10,000 azalea bushes are planted on this part of the shrine's grounds</p>

Over 10,000 azalea bushes are planted on this part of the shrine's grounds (Photo: Mandy Bartok)

Saga

Azaleas at Daikozen Temple

Beautiful blooms cover the temple grounds in spring

Mandy Bartok May 03, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Over 10,000 azalea bushes are planted on this part of the shrine's grounds</p>

<p>Even the temple's main staircase is lined with azaleas</p>

<p>The petals come mostly in hues of pink, with the occasional white flowers here and there</p>

<p>One of the garden's tea houses is surrounded by azaleas</p>

<p>Paths lead all the way up to the top of the hill behind the temple</p>

<p>The grounds boast three separate tea houses and a small shrine as well</p>

<p>A single azalea blossom floats in a water basin</p>

<p>This is one of Kyushu's best spots for azaleas, yet the grounds never feel crowded</p>

While Saga's hilltop Daikozen Temple is well-known for its fiery maples in the fall, the temple's nickname is actually Azalea Temple, due mostly in part to the 50,000 azalea bushes planted on site. A number of bushes are littered around the temple complex itself but the majority are located in the hillside garden (¥500 admission) behind the main temple hall. It takes at least an hour to wander the forest paths and explore the hidden tea houses on site. On the western side of the property, a display of 10,000 azaleas colors the hillside in late April. Parking is available near the temple and the lot can accommodate at least a hundred cars.

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Find out more about Daikozen Temple.

Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok

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