Flowers at Hondo-ji

Hydrangeas and irises make a trip to Chiba worthwhile

Por Mandy Bartok

Community writer

Hydrangeas of all hues can be seen at Hondo-ji

There are over 10,000 hydrangeas planted at Hondo-ji

The grounds are beautiful in their summer greenery

A passage of hydrangeas near a sub temple

The main color here is purple hydrangeas, unlike the famed blue hydrangeas of Kamakura

An iris in bloom in the temple's inner garden

The five-story pagoda fronted by hydrangea

Candy snacks packaged to look like hydrangea

A short ride outside the city in Chiba prefecture, Hondo-ji (or Hondo Temple) welcomes visitors in the rainy season with its 10,000 hydrangea bushes and iris garden. Originally founded in the 13th century by Nichiren (who went on to start the Nichiren sect of Buddhism), the temple is known for its five-pagoda and its beautiful display of seasonal flowers and leaves. Sharp-eyed visitors may also spy the grave of the wife of Tokugawa Ieyasu (first Tokugawa shogun and essential unifier of Japan). Despite the gorgeous flowers, the temple is rarely crowded on weekdays. Hondo-ji is well-signed from Kita-Kogane station (a ten minute walk from door to door).