Ten Thousand Hydrangea Bushes Bloom at the Hana Matsuri Flower Festival (100 Different Varieties)

Built to commemorate the 1993 opening of Hiroshima airport, Sankei garden is a 3-minute walk from its exit.

I visited in mid-June. Beyond the Chouken Tei tearoom, which is located by the main gate, you catch a glimpse of deep green trees.

This is our target this time!

That’s right, the flower of the season, the hydrangea. Every year in June a Hana Matsuri (‘Flower Festival’) is held in Sankei garden. Visitors can see 10,000 hydrangea bushes in full bloom (100 different varieties). The flowers bring color to the often cloudy scenery.

Well then, let’s head into the garden!

Blue, purple, pink… From light to deep colors, all are truly beautiful! Although they weren’t yet in full bloom when I visited, they were more than worth seeing.

Absorb Yourself in the Diversity of the Flowers

With their rather small calyxes blooms, which are concentrated in bunches, this is the Annabelle variety. I heard comments of admiration like, “They’re so cute” and ”Beautiful” about their pure white bouquet like appearance.

The calyxes surround the blooms of the mountain hydrangea sporadically. At first glance they may seem ordinary, but if you take a close-up shot they’re really photogenic! Look closely at this photo – can you spot the honey bee stopping by?

I don’t know this hydrangea’s name, but its resemblance to a red rose looked wonderful against the green… It left a vivid impression on me.

Origins of the name “Sankei Garden”

I exit the hydrangea garden and am walking around the other parts of the garden when suddenly I hear a huge roaring sound!
The reason is…

The airport control tower is located just beyond the garden! Even though the garden is located right next to Hiroshima airport, the sound of the planes is not at all disturbing. On the contrary, the moment visitors see an airplane, they all turn their cameras happily towards it. This “attraction” may be one of the garden’s charms, too!

Lastly, let me introduce the origin of the name of Sankei Garden. Looking at the photograph below, does it remind you of anything?

Actually, the building that appears to be floating above the water was apparently constructed in the image of Itsukushima Shrine. The pond that spreads out before your eyes is the Seto Inland Sea. Sankei Garden has three zones: The sea zone including this “Miyajima”, the mountain zone, and the valley zone. That’s why it was named “Sankei Garden” (‘sankei’ = ‘three famous points of scenic beauty’).

If ever you have the chance, come and visit this Japanese garden abundant in nature, the perfect entrance to Hiroshima.

Sankei Garden

Location: 64-24 Zennyuji, Hongo-cho, Mihara city, Hiroshima prefecture
Open: [April-September] 9:00-18:00, [October-March] 9:00-17:00 (Last entrance 30 minutes before closing time) *In 2016, the Hana Matsuri was held June 11 thru July 3
Closed: December 29, 30, 31
Tel: 0848-86-9200
Entrance fees: Adults JPY260, Children JPY130 *During events such as “Hana Matsuri” Adults JPY310, Children JPY160 *Depending on age and other circumstances, entrance may be free of charge. Please check the conditions by making an inquiry to the garden
http://www.chuo-shinrin-koen.or.jp/sankei/sankei.html (Japanese)

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Izumi Furukawa