How to Make the Most of Kyoto’s Seasonal Flowers and Gardens in Summer

During each season, Kyoto is filled with beautiful blooms, transforming the city into a floral wonderland. Travellers can view these vibrant flowers all year round, but it’s during the summer that they truly shine. Visit during the warmer months to witness Kyoto's floral landscapes and historic locations, experiencing an unforgettable and unique adventure.

Sunflowers & Lotuses: Summer Highlights

In Japan, sunflowers are the harbingers of the summer months. From mid-July to early August, rural regions blossom with abundant sunflower fields. These cheery flowers perfectly capture the warmth of summer in Japan, especially Kyoto. Ranches like Ayabe Fureai Ranch are some of the best places to view sunflowers around the city, showcasing up to 50,000 blooms across a charming farmland.

Lotuses are another floral speciality of summer in Kyoto. As a famous symbol of spirituality and enlightenment, these soft pink flowers grow in clusters near temples around Kyoto. Located around half an hour from Kyoto suites in the city and accommodations like Park Hotel Kyoto, Ryoan-ji Temple offers some of the best viewing opportunities for these blooms.

Irises & Peonies

Although not exclusive to summer, peonies bloom at various times throughout the year, depending on the species. One of the best places to admire these stunning flowers in Kyoto is towards the end of spring and early summer, at the oldest temple in Nagaokakyo City. Otokuni-dera Temple's garden features around 2,000 peonies, which are sheltered from direct sunlight by wooden and paper umbrellas. The delightful sight of these white parasols contrasting with the bright colours of the flowers is truly unforgettable. 

Similarly, irises grow in abundance till mid-May, blooming around the idyllic forests of Kyoto. These delicate pastel blossoms create scenes straight out of a fairytale, with sites like the "iris corridor" weaving across 400 metres of magical woodland.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are unique since they bloom during the rainy season in early summer. Their relatively simple cultivation has made them common in Kyoto, where you can admire these vibrant clusters of flowers.

One of the best locations to see them is at the Yanagidani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple in Nagaokakyo City, which has a Hydrangea Path with over 4,500 plants. The temple's purification fountain, where devotees wash their hands before entering, is surrounded by pastel yellow, blue, and pink hydrangeas, complementing the peaceful atmosphere.

Another temple known for its hydrangeas is Gansen-ji, located in Kizugawa City, which is south of Kyoto Prefecture. The area has almost 5,000 hydrangeas of 30 species. They create a breathtaking backdrop to the temple, a vermillion three-storied pagoda, that stands out against the background of lush greenery.

Wisteria

Wisteria is known for its violet hue and tiny cascading flowers, making them one of the most iconic flowers in Japan. These blooms can be seen in the magnificent Byodo-in Temple in Uji City. 

As you wander through the temple garden, you’ll be able to spot three wisteria pergolas, which resemble a waterfall of purple due to the abundance of hanging flowers. The biggest clusters are over a metre long, and the view of the central Phoenix Hall is framed in the background by these flowers.

Kyoto's Traditional Strolling Gardens

Most of Kyoto's ancient gardens are strolling gardens, where visitors can walk around and admire the natural beauty. These gardens contain ponds, stone walking paths, and seasonal flowers.

The best gardens are often found enveloping Kyoto's iconic historic sites and regal landmarks. Katsura Imperial Villa is one of the city's most famous landscapes, with carefully manicured flora and serene ponds. The Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens is another popular destination, featuring wide, shaded walkways and different varieties of summer blooms. For a lesser-known, yet equally beautiful garden, Shinsen-en Garden is home to seasonal flowers, located right by Nijo Castle.