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Hydrangea season has arrived! A day to enjoy hydrangeas at Hondenji Temple!

Mainland-dera Temple is located in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and is filled with beautiful hydrangeas every year from June to July. In this issue, we will report in detail on the highlights and history of hydrangeas at Honden-ji Temple, as well as its location in relation to Nagareyama City.

How to enjoy the approach to the temple

The approach to Hondenji Temple is a special place where visitors can experience its history and nature just by walking. The approach lined with cedar trees was donated by Mitsukuni Mito, and a stroll along the path while enjoying its historical value will soothe your soul.

Access to Hondenji Temple

Hondenji Temple is very conveniently accessible from Tokyo. The nearest station is Kita-Kogane Station on the JR Joban Line. Kita-Kogane Station is located on the border of Nagareyama City and Matsudo City, and is accessible from Tokyo Station in about 30 minutes by train.

Hondenji Temple is located near Nagareyama Otakanomori, about 20 minutes away by car.

Access and Fees

• Address: 63 Hiraga, Matsudo-shi, Chiba
• Access: 15 min. walk from JR Kitakogane Stn.
• Admission: Adults (junior high school students and older): 500 yen, children (elementary school students): free, disabled persons (with a certificate): 300 yen
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (admission until 4:00 p.m.)

Highlights of Hydrangeas at Hondenji Temple

Colorful hydrangea flowers

The hydrangeas at Hondenji Temple are a dream come true, as the garden is decorated with hydrangeas in various shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Especially on rainy days, the colors of the hydrangeas are even more vivid and the atmosphere is more tranquil. This is a perfect spot to enjoy even on rainy days during the rainy season.

Full of photogenic spots

Hondenji Temple has many photogenic spots. Taking pictures with hydrangeas will surely look good. The most popular spots are around the pond and the stone steps in the temple grounds. Take great pictures with the scenery surrounded by hydrangeas in the background. In addition, since the scenery looks different depending on the time of day you visit, we recommend taking pictures in the soft light of the morning or evening. On rainy days, you can take pictures with a moist and elegant atmosphere, which can be enjoyed even during the rainy season.

History of Hondenji Temple

The history of Hondoji Temple dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333), when it was founded in 1221 by Nichiren Shonin, the founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism. Later, during the Edo period (1603-1867), the temple received strong faith from Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the precincts of the temple were gradually developed. In particular, it was not until the Showa period (1926-1989) that hydrangeas began to be planted, and the present beautiful garden was created through donations and efforts by local people and worshippers. In particular, the temple bell and five-story pagoda, designated as national important cultural properties, are among the many highlights of the temple.

The most impressive corridor of 50,000 hydrangea plants

The diversity and scale of the hydrangeas planted at Hondenji Temple are astonishing, with as many as 50,000 plants. Visitors are fascinated by the colorful hydrangeas that adorn the temple grounds. Visitors can enjoy about 10 different types of hydrangeas, including gaku hydrangea and hime hydrangea.

Flowers to be enjoyed at the same time

During the period when hydrangeas are at their best, irises and lotuses can also be enjoyed on the temple grounds. The iris pond is planted with about 6,000 irises, which are different in beauty from the hydrangeas. Purple, pale blue, white, and other colors can be enjoyed along with the hydrangeas, doubling the enjoyment for visitors.

The sight of hydrangeas and irises at the same time is a special one that is hard to find anywhere else.

Hondenji Temple is a charming spot where the beautiful early summer scenery of hydrangeas and irises in full bloom harmonizes with the historical architecture of the temple.

Hondenji Temple also distributes limited-edition red seals for the hydrangea season, which you are welcome to receive as a commemorative gift when you visit.​

The hydrangeas at Hondenji Temple are a special sight that can only be seen during the rainy season. Walking through the garden surrounded by colorful hydrangeas will surely soothe your soul.

Other small cafes and snack stores dot the approach to the temple, offering local delicacies. For example, seasonal treats such as baked dumplings and tokoroten are popular.

Delicious handmade soba noodles at Kusokuan

We had soba noodles at Sokian, located on the approach to the temple. Sokian is a long-established buckwheat noodle restaurant with a rustic appearance and authentic handmade buckwheat noodles.

We had “Kotaka” with Tenzaru, handmade buckwheat noodles made from Azumino buckwheat flour grown in Shinshu, Japan. The soba was aromatic and smooth, and the tempura was crispy and hot!

Thank you for the food! Now that we are full, it’s time to go home.

Hmm!　Huh! I mustn’t do this, I saw something I shouldn’t have seen.

It’s “Anmitsu” by Funabashiya, a favorite of “kotaka”! Founded in 1805, Funabashiya has been a long-established Japanese confectionery shop since the Edo period (1603-1868). Funabashiya’s Anmitsu is loved by many people for its reliable taste backed by its history and tradition.

When you visit the main temple approach, be sure to stop by Funabashiya and taste their exquisite anmitsu.