Jan 20, 2026
Hanachozu flowers explained; I wish more shrines would follow suit
A few years ago when visiting a shrine I noticed that their "Hanachozu", a water font with floating flowers, had a photo beside it indicating what each flower was in the display. I love this idea and would love if more shrines followed suit. For the record: I don't know if this shrine still puts up a photo with the flowers identified.
However, I know that these shrines are very busy and hanachozu cost them both time and money. So it is not a realistic request. But it is a lovely idea and hats off to this shrine, Takao Hikawa Shrine in Kitamoto city (you will find it in the review section of City-cost), for taking the time and making the effort.
I love flowers, but I don't always know which flowers are in the hanachozu as there are a lot of flowers that look like other flowers! Take for example the Calendula in this photo, I thought it was marigold until I saw in the photo with the flowers named that it was in fact calendula!
Have you ever seen a hanachozu with a photo beside it showing the name of the flowers in the display?

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com
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