Nogoji

Saitama's hydrangea temple

Saitama has several hydrangea temples, but perhaps the most famous of all is Nogoji. The temple grounds aren't that big, nor is the hydrangea area, but supposedly there are about 8000 hydrangea. I think what makes it so popular is that the hydrangea grow around the bell tower, a particularly beautiful bell tower, so it makes for a memorable photo. There is also an old kura on the grounds which has been turned into a shop in part. The temple building is also quite pretty and they have dozens of hydrangea lining the base of the temple in season. The temple is free to visit except during the month of June, when it costs 300 yen to enter the grounds.