6 Temples in Kyoto and Nara Famous for Their Seasonal Flowers
To read the entire issue, click
here
.
As old capitals of Japan, Kyoto and Nara have long been centers of faith and tradition, the mountains around them revered as sacred spaces bridging the natural and the divine. Scattered throughout this topography are isolated temples and shrines, each with its own deep history and profound beauty.
Among these secluded mountain temples, a few are known among locals for the way they come alive when flowers bloom — cherry blossom petals drifting through the air in spring, hydrangeas blooming in quiet clusters come early summer or spider lilies and cosmos carpeting the ground as autumn approaches. Though these places are a wonder to visit year-round, they take on an even more otherworldly feeling when their signature flowers bloom.
Tsubosaka-dera: Takatori, Nara
Tucked in the mountains of Nara Prefecture, not far from Mount Yoshino, sits
Tsubosaka-dera
. Though it's not as well known as Yoshino for its cherry blossoms, anyone who visits during this season can witness the temple's large seated Buddha statue floating in a cloud of sakura — a quiet spectacle all its own. The temple is also beloved for its pale pink pagoda, which makes for stunning springtime photos.
The name 'Tsubosaka-dera' means 'jar on a hillside temple.' According to legend, the temple was founded in 703 by the monk Benki, who apparently had a beloved glass jar. While practicing asceticism on the mountain, a vision of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, appeared inside it, and so he placed the jar in a hermitage on top of the mountain. This is said to be the temple's origin. A few centuries later, Sei Shonagon mentioned Tsubosaka-dera in
The Pillow Book
, where it's included in her list of temples with miraculous powers.
Gansenji: Kizugawa, Kyoto
Deep in the forested mountains of southern Kyoto Prefecture, an isolated pagoda rises from the greenery. This three-story wooden pagoda is part of
Gansenji
, which, according to the temple's documents, was founded in 729 by the celebrated Buddhist priest Gyoki.
Mystically serene in every season, Gansenji is a great spot for viewing both cherry blossoms and autumn colors, but early summer is when Gansenji really comes alive. Every June, when the hydrangeas bloom, the temple grounds are filled with white, pink, blue and purple tiny clouds against the lush green of the surrounding forest, and lotus flowers fill the pond.
Hasedera: Sakurai, Nara
Nestled in the mountains near the ancient town of Sakurai in Nara Prefecture lies the sprawling temple complex of
Hasedera
. Founded in 686, Hasedera is the center of the Bunzan school of Shingon Buddhism, and the temple complex consists of 30 buildings dotted around the hillside.
Leading up to the main hall is the temple's famous covered wooden staircase of 399 steps, which is lined with peonies in the early spring and leads to an outdoor staircase decorated with hydrangeas in early summer. The main hall at the top offers a spectacular view of the temple complex and its surroundings, particularly during the cherry blossom season and when the leaves change in the autumn.
Shojuin: Ujitawara, Kyoto
During the summer, more than 2,000 wind chimes adorn this remote temple in southern Kyoto. The soft clinking of the decorated wind chimes, heard from the beginning of July until mid-September, is the origin of Shojuin's nickname,
Furinji — the Wind Chime Temple
.
Though the Wind Chime Festival is a summer event, the temple offers seasonal beauty year-round, best viewed through the reception hall's heart-shaped window looking out onto the garden. The hall's ceiling is also decorated with 160 colorful paintings of flowers and other Japanese art, creating a splendid scene overhead.
Butsuryu-ji: Uda, Nara
Situated in Nara Prefecture, Butsuryu-ji has become well known for the spider lilies that turn the temple grounds into a carpet of vibrant red every year in early autumn. The temple is also popular locally as a sakura viewing spot due to its famous 900-year-old resident, Sennen-Zakura, a huge cherry tree that greets visitors along the entrance path.
Butsuryu-ji
was founded in 850 by the monk Kenne, a disciple of Kobo Daishi. Behind the main temple buildings, carved into the mountainside, is an ancient-looking stone chamber, which is generally accepted to be Kenne's grave.
Hannya-ji: Nara City, Nara
Every year in early autumn, a meadow of cosmos blooms around this temple on the outskirts of Nara city. The 'Hannya' of the temple's name is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word for 'wisdom,' but today,
Hannya-ji
is more often associated with these flowers, and is nicknamed the Cosmos Temple.
Hannya-ji is rumored to have been founded in 629 by the monk Ekan, who came to Japan from one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea. Many of the buildings and artifacts at the temple have been designated Important Cultural Properties, in particular the gate entrance, a National Treasure dating to the 13th century.
Related Posts
Stunning Flower Festivals in Japan To Visit This Spring
Ashikaga Flower Park: A Dreamy Destination in Any Season
List of 7: Recommended Japanese Flower Parks
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese Traditional Confectionary in Peak Production Ahead of Bon Holidays; Colorful Offering to Spirits of Ancestors
Rakugan, colorful Japanese traditional confectionary made from starch and sugar molded into various shapes, are in peak production at a confectionary shop in Fukuchi, Fukuoka Prefecture, as the mid-August Bon holidays approach. Rakugan are typically served as offerings at Buddhist altars during the Bon holidays, when the spirits of ancestors and deceased family members are believed to visit the world of living. Workers at the shop are busy using food coloring to decorate rakugan shaped like plum blossoms and chrysanthemum flowers and attaching them to the surface of cylinders, making towers covered with colorful flowers.
Japan Today
21-07-2025
- Japan Today
10 cool places to escape Japan's summer heat
By Elizabeth Sok As it heats up across the country, who isn't looking for a place to cool down and escape the soaring temperatures? While indoor activities and hitting the beach are always popular in July and August, this year, we're looking to Japan's stately forests and valleys to help stave off natsubate (summer heat fatigue). In Japanese, these cooling summer getaways are called hishochi. Whether you want to be surrounded by trees, bask in the splashing of a waterfall or take in the beauty of some alpine flora, you'll find your own summer escape in these 10 cool spots across Japan. 1. Iya Valley (Tokushima) Vine bridges, misty forests and mountain air in remote Shikoku Traverse one of Iya Valley's historical rope bridges. Image: AND555/iStock Escape the heat of the city to the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture and you'll find Iya Valley. With a topography that includes Shikoku's second tallest peak, Mount Tsurugi, and several waterways, the Iya Valley has become increasingly popular for its natural landscape. The highlight of the valley is crossing one of the region's three remaining historical vine rope bridges. Suspended 14 meters over the valley below, Iya no Kazurabashi is the main bridge. Stop by in the late evening and see its surroundings illuminated with LEDs. 2. Furano (Hokkaido) Lavender fields and soft summer breezes in Japan's north Treat your eyes and nose to fresh lavender in Furano, Hokkaido. Image: littlewormy/iStock Located in the middle of Hokkaido, Furano has much to offer heat-weary travelers. One of the most well-known summer resorts, this getaway features daytime highs of 25 degrees Celsius during July and August. Perhaps the most famous attraction here is flowers and specifically lavender, with fields that stretch out to the horizon, delighting both your visual and olfactory senses. Furano also offers cooling summer foods, like ice cream flavored with local milk and lavender, and spiced soup curry loaded with seasonal vegetables. 3. Kiyomizu Waterfall (Saga) A spiritual cascade surrounded by forest and statues Buddhist statues and the cascading Kiyomizu Falls imbue this site with spiritual power. Image: Cycleいとうゆき/Pixta About two hours on foot or a 15-minute taxi ride from Arita's Ogi station in Saga Prefecture, the 75-meter-high Kiyomizu Waterfall cascades down the mountainside. Kiyomizu is considered one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. With Buddhist statuary standing watch near the base, Fuyo Myou, the fearsome destroyer of evil, reminds you of the spiritual power the site has long held. 4. Hotel New Otani Garden (Tokyo) Historic rooftop gardens and misty waterfalls in the city Stroll through this rooftop Japanese garden in the heart of Tokyo. Image: Kuremi/iStock With a history stretching back over 400 years, the garden of the Hotel New Otani was developed by several powerful samurai families. Visitors can enter this 10-acre green space for free and enjoy the cooling mist coming off the main waterfall. Elsewhere, you can explore a variety of historical stone lanterns from the Kamakura (1183-1333) and Edo (1603-1867) periods. Also, check out the stone garden where different elements represent mountains and the sea. 5. Karuizawa (Nagano) A classic summer retreat with ponds, trails and cool lakes Karuizawa's beautiful forests have long been known as an escape from Japan's city heat. Image: bradtzou/iStock Maybe the most famous summer cooling area on our list, Karuizawa is known for its scenery. In the summer, it's hard to beat its lush forests, waterfalls and deep cool lakes. Thanks to the high volume of tourists, Karuizawa also has a well-developed network of shopping and cultural sites to view alongside its breathtaking natural scenery. Don't miss the chance to escape the heat with a stroll alongside Kumoba Pond or enjoying the gentle splashing of Shiraito Waterfall surrounded by verdant forest. 6. Nasu Highland Park (Tochigi) Escape from Tokyo with outdoor fun and hot springs All this greenery is only about one hour from Tokyo by bullet train. Image: TNK/Pixta A bit over an hour from Tokyo via shinkansen, Tochigi Prefecture's Nasu Highland Park is a cooling paradise close to the metropolis. Located at a higher altitude, this park offers summer vacationers the chance to engage in a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to cycling, at temperatures rarely exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, even in August. With an abundance of hot spring facilities and cultural venues, like the Nasu Stained Glass Museum, you can also relax in indoor-outdoor spaces to avoid the harsh sun. 7. Oirase Area (Aomori) Kilometers of trails, waterfalls and shaded forest hiking Immerse yourself in over 14 kilometers of hiking trails under the lush summer foliage. Image: Anesthesia/Pixta Oirase Gorge in Aomori is bordered by a majestic forest with trickling streams and waterfalls. Oirase Stream, which runs along the bottom of the gorge, is located near an accessible 9-kilometer-long hiking trail which provides access to both scenic bridges and waterfalls. The entire gorge itself extends 14 kilometers from Lake Towada with the surrounding greenery providing a cooling effect in the summer and spectacular colors come autumn. 8. Bijin Bayashi Forest (Niigata) Beech trees and serene paths 2° cooler than town This beautiful forest offers a cool escape from the sweltering summer heat. Image: PIXSTAR/Pixta In Niigata prefecture's Bijin Bayashi Forest, elegant and straight beech trees provide shelter from the unrelenting heat. While usually an alpine species, these beech trees were able to grow unhindered after the land was clear-cut in the early 20th century. The forest takes on a different character each season with a blanket of snow in the winter and a yellow and orange canopy overhead in the fall. Cool off in the summer under the shaded foliage and a breeze that lowers the temperature a couple of degrees. 9. Mount Daisen (Tottori) Hike to shrines and waterfalls on a sacred peak Marvel at the view from Mount Daisen's Oyama Afuri Shrine. Image: kuro/Pixta Tottori Prefecture's Mount Daisen is the tallest peak in the Chugoku area. A dormant volcano, Mount Daisen has significant spiritual importance and has been compared to Mount Fuji. With hiking courses for all levels, come and enjoy the cooling effect of the many pristine forests and waterfalls. The Natsuyama course will bring you to the Misen peak and through a beech forest while the Daisendaki Waterfall course offers the perfect summer resort photo spot of a two-tiered waterfall. 10. Todoroki Valley and Nippara Limestone Caves (Tokyo) Cool caves and urban forest trails — Tokyo's natural air-con There's no sun down here in the Nippara Limestone Caves. Image: Ystudio/Pixta Finally, while we would love to add Setagaya Ward's Todoroki Valley to this list, most of it has been closed to the public since 2023. With a pleasant one-kilometer trail flanked by thick woods and housing a variety of stone structures, you'll want to keep this spot in mind for future summers. As you wait for Todoroki Valley to reopen in March 2026, why not escape the sun altogether with a trip to the Nippara Limestone Caves at the western edge of Tokyo. One of the biggest cave networks in Kanto, this certified natural monument stretches over 1,270 meters long from start to finish. With temperatures hovering around 11 degrees throughout the year, it's the perfect place to cool off and explore an otherworldly landscape. © Japan Today
19-07-2025
Nepal Pavilion: Sharing Sights and Culture from the Roof of the World
Nepal, the 'Roof of the World,' is home to Sagarmatha (Mount Everest). Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park, and Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha. Nepal's pavilion at Expo 2025 was the last to open, welcoming its first visitors on July 19. It exhibits showcase the nation's spectacular Himalayan landscapes, its diverse culture, and Buddhist artworks, as well as its ties with Japan, which mark their seventieth anniversary this year. Visitors are welcomed to ring 'singing bowls,' implements used in Buddhist rites, and to sample flavors of Nepalese cuisine at the pavilion's restaurant facilities. The Nepal pavilion is located in the Connecting Lives Zone. ( See the official map for details.) Nepal marks its national day on Monday, July 28, at the Expo National Day Hall. (© ) (© ) (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken'ichi and . Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © .)
