Unshoji Temple

Every year from mid-June to early July, a sea of blue envelops Unshoji Temple in Oga, Akita. One of the many things I look forward to in summer is seeing these vibrant blue hydrangeas, which have been maintained by the temple priests for over 15 years. These hydrangeas are special because of the way they were planted. One plant produces more hydrangeas compared to the average, so almost every inch of the temple is blanketed in blue. Some of the flowers also frame stunning views of the Japan Sea.

The hydrangeas are visible even before entering the temple grounds which was very exciting to see when I visited for the first time. They were all up and down the walls surrounding the temple, and the entrance was overflowing with flowers. I wasn’t even inside yet and I was already amazed by the amount of hydrangeas. As soon as I entered and saw just how many there were, I was speechless. The flowers were thriving, and a lot of the paths were narrow due to the amount of plants. It truly felt like I was walking through an enchanted forest and at times I just wanted to sink into one of the blue speckled bushes.

I had seen hydrangeas before coming to this temple, but never this many in one place. No matter where I looked there was a carpet of flowers. One thing that caught me off guard was seeing a few purple flowers hiding among all the blue. These really stood out to me and I found myself looking for more unique hydrangeas. I ended up finding a cross between blue and purple, as well as a deep purple one that was absolutely gorgeous.

Warabe Jizo

Aside from searching for purple hydrangeas, I was also searching for warabe jizo statues. These can be found in many different shrines and temples across Japan, but most of the ones at Unshoji are hidden behind the hydrangeas. They can be very small and it was always a little surprise when I would look down and see one partially covered by flowers.

Warabe jizo statues welcome visitors with a smile and invite them to seek peace of mind. It’s also said that they grant wishes for children’s protection as well as safe pregnancy and childbirth. Whenever I see them, there’s usually money or some other offering next to them.

Hydrangea Treats

After walking the path through numerous flowers, there’s a cafe a place to relax. The cafe sells “hydrangea tea,” but I think it gets its name from the color of the purple hydrangeas around the temple. The tea itself is butterfly pea, which changes color after adding lemon juice. I’ve visited this temple multiple times and I always get a tea and sit in an area surrounded by flowers. It’s such a treat every time!

There’s also a small area with a couple of food stalls near the exit. Hydrangea shaved ice is sold at one of the stalls and I always stopped for some every time I visited. The shaved ice actually tastes like hydrangea and it has sweetened condensed milk drizzled on top. It’s sweet, floral, and matches the color of the flowers perfectly.

Rainy Season

The hydrangeas are in bloom during the rainy season in Japan, so often times I had to carry an umbrella or find cover and wait. However, I really enjoy when it rains here because everything feels so mystical and fairytale-like. The fog and light rain makes the temple seem more mystical than it already is. Foggy views of the Japan Sea and umbrellas being carried through the temple adds a certain charm to the scenery. Unshoji is truly beautiful and worth a visit no matter the weather.