One of the best things about Japan's rainy season? Hydrangeas. The Kaisei Machi Ajisai Matsuri is an annual festival dedicated to these beautiful blooms, held in the small town of Kaisei in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The scenery in Kaisei is stunning, with newly planted rice fields and mountains adding to the natural beauty alongside the colorful flowers - over 5000 of them! Booths are also set up at the event with a wide variety of festival food to enjoy. Admission to the festival itself is free of charge, but do bring some yen for parking if you're driving, or if you plan to grab a bite to eat.
Getting there
The Kaisei Machi Ajisai Matsuri is best accessed from Kaisei Station on the Odakyu line.
If you plan to drive, take the Tomei Expressway to the Oi-Matsuda interchange. The festival grounds are approximately a ten minute drive from the expressway exit. Paid parking is available in the streets surrounding the festival but can fill up quickly, particularly during the weekend.
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