Every June, Mikaeri Falls in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture transforms into a lush landscape of color for their annual Hydrangea Festival. Set in the scenic Ochi Town, this event celebrates the blooming of 40,000 hydrangeas across 50 varieties, creating a stunning floral display along the trails leading to one of Kyushu’s tallest and most celebrated waterfalls.
Visitors can stroll the vibrant paths by day and return in the evening to enjoy the magical illumination of the falls, which will be lit up nightly from 7:20pm until 10:00pm. The festival also coincides with peak firefly season, offering a rare chance to witness both hydrangeas and glowing hotaru in the one visit.
On weekends, the Hydrangea Marche brings the community together with local food trucks, regional specialties, and a fun market atmosphere near Hotarubashi.
There is no admission fee to enjoy the atmosphere of the event, but do bring some yen if you plan on making any market purchases.
Getting there
Mikaeri Falls can be accessed in under 10 minutes by taxi (or about 40 minutes on foot) from Ōchi Station, which is served by the JR Karatsu Line.
For those who opt to drive, the falls are approximately 15 minutes from the Karatsu IC on the Nishi Kyushu Expressway, or around 25 minutes from the Taku IC on the Nagasaki Expressway. Paid parking will be available—it's priced at 500 JPY for standard-sized vehicles.
More info
Find out more about Mikaeri Falls.
Kim Bergström @kim.b
Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here. 🍵🌼🌸
