みちのくあじさい園 Hydrangea Festival (Late June, July)
Feel the earthen track beneath your feet as you indulge in the views of spectacular hydrangea flowers in every direction. The harmony between the forest and flowers helps preserve a completely authentic experience in nature.
Michinoku Hydrangea Garden is certified by the Japan Hydrangea Association as Japan’s No.1 hydrangea garden. The magical forest boasts 40,000 hydrangea plants/400 types varying in different shapes and colors. The garden has 3 main trails: the 1.2km Okuhime (奥姫) Course, the 900m Kurenai (くれない) Course and the 650m Miyama (深山) Course. It's possible to do all of the courses as they are connected, although it may take a few hours to look around. These trails can be accessed by cart if available, but most people walk them. The smaller routes throughout the garden can only be walked.
And just when you thought you'd seen it all, there's a huge expanse of hydrangea stretching out as far as the eye can see ~ Another spot to keep your eye out for is the elusive pond filled with multicolored hydrangea (limited to the last few days of the event).
*Even though the garden is mainly in shade, it still gets very hot, so make sure to bring enough water, a hat and some comfortable shoes!
Details (2023)
Date/Time: every day during June 24 to July 24 from 8:00– 17:00 (Last admission 16:00)
Hydrangea Lake: July 10 to 24 Address: 岩手県一関市舞川字原沢111
https://goo.gl/maps/HAZjA4PBohs Access: Bus Iwateken Kotsu Geibikei Line [Ichinoseki Station (West Exit Stop #7) to Mizukami (30min) + 15min walk] or by car *more info on public transport below map. Admission: 1000 yen (adult), 200 yen (elementary school students)
Homepage (JP): https://www.ichitabi.jp/spot/data.php?p=36
Public Transport
Bus: 岩手県交通 (Iwate Ken Kotsu) Geibikei/Surisawa Line Bus Stop 7 in front of Ichinoseki Station. Stay on for 30mins until you get to 「水上」Mizukami, and walk 20 minutes. Bus Timetable Way there > Departing from Ichinoseki 10：00，12：00，14：00 Way back < Departing from Mizukami Weekdays: 11：03，12：03，14：03，16：03 Weekend/holidays: 11：03, 13：03，16：03 *On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the hydrangea season, a free shuttle bus runs between the Minakami bus stop and the hydrangea garden.
Kalmia Festival (Early to late June)
Kalmia or mountain laurels bring brilliant color to the forest expanse during the month of June~ The perfect time to see these flowers are when they are in partial bloom as the buds are super cute!
Details 2020
Date: June 1-26
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Admission: 500yen
Location: Michinoku Hydrangea Park
Contact: Ichinoseki City Tourism Association
TEL 0191-23-0066 OPEN 9:00-17:30
Shakunage Festival (Late April to mid-May)
Michinoku Hydrangea Garden, as the name suggests, is famous for hydrangea which bloom in late June-July, but as of 2019, displays of rhododendron colour the cedar forest. There are 15 varieties and 250 trees. The number of flowers in bloom are few in comparison to the hydrangea festival, but the size and the vividness of the rhododendron make this festival special too.
Details 2019
Date: April 27-May 20th
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Admission: 500yen
Location: Michinoku Hydrangea Park
Contact: Ichinoseki City Tourism Association
TEL 0191-23-0066 OPEN 9:00-17:30
https://goo.gl/maps/HAZjA4PBohs Access: Bus Iwateken Kotsu Geibikei Line [Ichinoseki Station (West Exit Stop #7) to Mizukami (30min) + 15min walk] or by car michinoku-hydrangea-park-みちのくアジサイ園Admission: 1000 yen (adult), 200 yen (elementary school students)