Shōkai-ji, Buddhist temple in Inazawa, Japan.
Shōkai-ji is a Buddhist temple in Inazawa with expansive gardens filled with thousands of hydrangea plants in numerous shades and colors. The grounds include historic structures and house religious artworks and sculptures from different periods.
The temple was founded in the early Heian period when Buddhist monk Kūkai established it and made Aizen Myōō its principal deity. A major multi-tiered pagoda from the 17th century remains standing on the grounds today.
The temple houses multiple cultural treasures, including the main hall, a tahōtō pagoda from 1648, and a collection of Buddhist statues and paintings.
The temple grounds are reachable on foot from two nearby train stations, with several bus stops located close by. A visit is most enjoyable during cooler months, especially in June when the hydrangea gardens are in full bloom.
The site is particularly known for its annual bloom festival in June, when tens of thousands of hydrangeas flower simultaneously and transform the grounds into a display of vibrant hues. This natural spectacle makes the place a popular destination for photographers and nature lovers from across the region.
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