Meigetsuin - The No.1 Hydrangea Spot

June is often when the rainy season starts in Kanto region, where Tokyo is located. During this season, rainy or cloudy day can last for a whole day, sometimes a few days in a row before you get to see the sun and the whole season lasts for a month or so. In this melancholic season, there is a type of flower that flourishes mightily against the rain, painting the season with its vivid colours. That, is hydrangea.  

Hydrangea is commonly seen in Japan. You will see them in someone's garden, on the streets or along the train tracks. There are also attractions that are full of them where you can bury yourself in the beauty of blue and purple.

Today's attraction is Meigetsuin, also called Ajisaidera (Hydrangea Temple) - the no.1 hydrangea spot near Tokyo. Even though the temple is close enough from the station, it is still tucked away from the streets, making this already beautiful garden a hidden sanctuary of hydrangeas.

The hydrangea area in the temple is like a little maze where you can bury yourself in the sea of blue.

Hydrangeas with different colours.

Other beautiful bits of the temple.

The garden behind this room is fully bloomed with Irises.

There is a charity box. Seems like they donate to UNICEF regularly.

Yoh Shomei Art Museum
On the way out I come across a western house with a beautiful garden. Attracted by its aesthetic, I walk into this building not knowing what it is. Then I slowly understand that this place is probably opened by an illustrator named Yoh Shomei. His art works are mainly nature and animals using calm colour tones like blue and green. He also creates illustrated books. The combination of his illustrations and words is compassionate and soothing. It is hard not to feel good at this place under such vibe.

Outside the hidden area, there are some pink hydrangea near the station and some wild hydrangea naturally decorating the river!

After a long walk, it is time to take a break. Since there are many temples and cafes around this area I decided to try one of the cafes.

Mamiana Cafe(狸穴カフェ)
Mamiana Cafe is a cafe in an old-style Japanese house. Stepping into it is like stepping into a time machine, sending you back to the Showa era, or maybe even earlier. Its unique calming atmosphere coming from the age-old building and furniture gives one a sense of timelessness. They serve savoury meals and desserts. I ordered a pot of tea and Ogura Toast - a toast topped with Matcha Warabi Mochi, red bean paste, butter and cream. Looks a little weird but all ingredients go surprisingly well together.  

Overall
It is definitely nice and relaxing to spend a day with beautiful hydrangeas and having a cup of tea in a quiet ancient cafe!