Michinoku Hydrangea Garden
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
みちのくあじさい園 Hydrangea Festival (Late June, July)
Feel the earthen track beneath your feet,
Where earth and colourful flowers meet.
In this authentic realm, let your spirit soar,
Amongst the hydrangeas, explore.
The Japan Hydrangea Association has certified Michinoku Hydrangea Garden as Japan’s No. 1 hydrangea garden. The magical cedar forest the size of four Tokyo Domes (or around 15 hectares), boasts 40,000 hydrangea plants of 400 types, varying in shapes and colors. The garden has three main trails: the 1.2 km Okuhime (奥姫) Course, the 900 m Kurenai (くれない) Course, and the 650 m Miyama (深山) Course. The courses are connected, although it may take a few hours to explore the site. While most walk the courses, they can be enjoyed via cart if one is available. The smaller paths within the garden are only accessible on foot.
I highly recommend you to check out two incredible photo spots during your visit! First up is the breathtaking アナベル畑 (Annabell Field), where you'll be mesmerized by a vast expanse of hydrangeas stretching endlessly before you. Next, don't miss the enchanting アジサイ池 (Hydrangea Pond), a pond filled with hydrangeas that float on the surface. Be sure to look at the details below to find out when the hydrangea pond will be formed.
*Don't underestimate Northern Japan summers...Ichinoseki can get very hot and humid. Make sure to bring enough water and a hat. After rain, the footing can get a little slippery and muddy.
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available only at the entrance.
Details (2026)
Date: 💠Hydrangea garden open period (2026):
June 27 (Sat) – July 20 (Mon, public holiday) 💠Hydrangea Pond period:
July 4 (Sat) – July 20 (Mon, public holiday), 2026 Note: Dates may change depending on blooming conditions.
Hours: Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Address: 岩手県一関市舞川字原沢111
Admission:
*Payment by cash only
Fees vary by period
June 27 – July 3, 2026
Adults (high school students and older): 1,000 yen
July 4 – July 20, 2026
Adults (high school students and older): 1,500 yen
Elementary & junior high school students: 500 yen
Preschool children: Free
Carts: 6 carts available (reservation priority)
3–4 passengers per cart
800 yen per person
Duration: approx. 40 minutes (staff-driven)
Pets not allowed on carts 🌟Dogs: allowed in the park if kept on a short leash
Homepage (JP): https://www.ichitabi.jp/spot/data.php?p=36
Access
Car About 30 minutes from Ichinoseki IC on the Tohoku Expressway
Parking: approx. 160 cars (may vary for large buses)
Expect congestion on weekends and in July holidays
Bus
From Ichinoseki Station West Exit Bus Terminal, Platform 3 Tōhoku Transportation Bus (Geibikei / Surisawa Line)
Travel time: approx. 32 minutes to “Mizukami” bus stop
Then 15–20 min walk
Timetable
From Ichinoseki Station: 9:45, 13:00
From Mizukami stop (return): 12:00, 16:00
Only 2 round trips per day
Fare: 300 yen one way
If buses are full, take a taxi.
Taxi Companies (Ichinoseki / Hiraizumi area)
Approx. 25 min from Ichinoseki Station: about 4,300 yen (one way)
Ai Taxi: 0191-25-6666
Ichinoseki Hiraizumi Taxi: 0191-23-5630
Kennan Taxi: 0191-26-5555
Ichinoseki Chuo Kotsu: 0191-31-3333
Taxi from the garden (Tōhoku area companies)
Tōban Kotsu: 0191-47-3434
Nagasaka Taxi: 0191-47-2277
Free Shuttle Bus (from Mizukami stop)
Runs on weekends and public holidays during the hydrangea festival
Route: Mizukami bus stop ↔ Hydrangea Garden
Operated by van; may involve waiting depending on crowding
Schedules may be delayed depending on road conditions
Only operates between Mizukami stop and the garden (not from Ichinoseki Station)
Kalmia Festival (Early to late June)
Outside of hydrangea season, 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 2026
Date: June 6 to June 14
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (final entry 16:00)
Admission: 1000yen (high school students and above)
500yen (elementary school students), free for preschoolers and below
Location: Michinoku Hydrangea Garden
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 2026
Date: May 2 to May 17
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (final entry 16:00) Admission: 1000yen
500yen (elementary school students), free for preschoolers and below
Location: Michinoku Hydrangea Garden Contact: Ichinoseki City Tourism Association TEL 0191-23-0066 OPEN 9:00-17:30
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