Information on iris and hydrangea viewing at Hondo-ji Temple, Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture 2025
Hondoji Temple, also known as Ajisaiji Temple, is located in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and is a superb spot where 5,000 irises and more than 50,000 hydrangeas bloom in early summer. It is easily accessible by public transportation, making it a place where you can easily feel the early summer.
| best time to see (cherry blossom season) | Iris: usually early June Hydrangea: usually late June |
| Business Hours | Open 5:00 – close 17:00 (last admission at 16:30) *Please pay during the hours of opening 9:00 – close 16:30 (last admission at 16:00) Temple office reception hours 9:00 – 16:30 |
| admission fee | 500 yen for junior high school students and older during paid hours |
| Location | Hondenji Temple 63 Hiraga, Matsudo, Chiba, Japan |
| Access | Train/Bus] Approx. 15 min. walk from Kitakogane Sta. on JR Joban Line [Car] Approx. 15 min. from Nagareyama IC on Jouban Road No parking lot |
Information on iris and hydrangea viewing at Hondo-ji Temple, Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture
The historic Hondoji Temple, founded in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), is known as the “Hydrangea Temple” for its hydrangea blossoms. Every year in early June, approximately 5,000 irises adorn the waterfront in front of the main hall, creating a cool early-summer scene. In late June, more than 50,000 hydrangeas of more than a dozen varieties, including gaku hydrangeas, bloom in the temple grounds, creating a scenic backdrop of the vermilion-painted five-story pagoda and the green moss garden.
Visitors can explore the temple grounds from early morning at 5:00 am to closing time at 17:00 pm. The early morning hours are especially recommended for photographers and those who enjoy quiet contemplation of the flowers. After the rain, the moss and stone pavement become wet and the colors of the irises and hydrangeas stand out even more.
Limited edition red seals unique to mainland temples are available on the temple grounds, and red seals decorated with flowers of the four seasons are popular. The temple is within walking distance of the nearest station, Kita-Kogane Station, making it easily accessible. It is a beautiful spot in early summer that will heal your heart. Please visit.
- The iris garden, which circles a pond and waterway, is filled with 5,000 large-flowered irises. It reminds us of the arrival of early summer.
- The temple is also known as “Ajisai-dera,” or Hydrangea Temple, and its 50,000 magnificent hydrangeas are a spectacular sight in themselves.
- Early morning strolls are also recommended. The relatively empty early morning hours are a good time to take pictures and enjoy the flowers.
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Please check the official website and official X for the latest information before visiting.
For more information, please visit the official website
View the official website of Hondo-ji Temple, Matsudo-shi, Chiba, Japan