Last week, my husband and I visited Youkokuji in Nagaokakyou City. The temple was located in a forest, so we went there on his motorcycle. Although public transportation to the area isn't convenient, we still saw lots of visitors. Some of them walked from the nearest station.
Youkokuji was built over 1,200 years ago. Since then, many imperial family members have visited because they believed that this temple had its special power to heal eye diseases. Youkokuji is also known for many varieties of hydrangeas. Every year I look forward to visiting there to see them.
This temple originally started decorating flowers on chōzuya, which is a place to wash our hands before entering. When we visited, it was beautifully filled with the vibrant hydrangeas.
Usually, temples don't allow us to take pictures inside, but this temple was different.
There was a small trii (a gate) and the steps leading up to it were lined with the hydrangeas.
Even shishi-odoshi (a boar-fighting) was decorated with the hydrangeas. It looked so charming.
We walked up a long corridor, and a lot of hydrangeas were planted both sides.
There was a pond that has a very rare species called forest green tree frog.
While walking, we saw so many different kinds of hydrangeas. To be honest, I didn't know that there were that many. Which one do you like the most?
I like the idea of floating flowers on the water. It looks very lovely.
The hydrangea's season has just started! I'm excited to see them in other places!
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How beautiful! My mum is trying to plant a hydrangea garden in her garden, so I showed her your pictures and she really loved them. I also love the idea of leaving flowers floating on the water, it makes the water look a bit magical.
These photos are beautiful! The grounds are lush and the interior of the temple is ornate. I love the blue umbrellas. At first I thought they were only decorative, but there’s a picture of a woman holding one.
Man, is that beautiful. I think the blue ones are my favourite.
Yumi, you should seriously consider starting an online blog about Japanese culture. Your posts offer a fascinating perspective on Japanese temple culture, and I think they would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject.
@via-chan Thank you for the corrections and the comment. I'm glad your mom loved it! I'll plan on going another places to see them, so stay turned.
@SEQ77 Thank you as always for correcting my posts. The spot must be for Instagram. Young people love posting the spot's pictures. I think the temple is very smart to advertise, lol.
@Simone- Do you have hydrangeas in Italy? I haven't visited there during the season, so I don't know.
Thank you for the suggestion. It might be a great idea to advertise my pieces too! I think about it seriously. Thank you!
Wow, I didn't think I really liked hydrangeas, but the really colourful ones are so pretty!
Thank you, @Shauna! I still prefer roses over hydrangeas, but they are definitely lovely!
Yumi, we have a saying in Italian: avere il pollice verde (literally "to have a green thumb"). It means that you really love gardening. I don't have a "pollice verde", so I'm afraid I'm the last person you should ask 😅.
@Simone- Thank you for teaching the Italian phase! I'd love to memorize it. I don't think I have a green thumb, but yes, I do love gardening!