Throughout the month of July each year, the Tokamachi Ajisai Park is home to a hydrangea festival which celebrates the beauty of around 14,000 of these flowers in bloom. A number of the flowers at the park have been propagated from hydrangeas at Meigetsuin Temple in Kamakura and Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, adding a little dose of history and culture to the grounds.
Lanterns decorate the park during the festival dates and they're illuminated in the evenings, creating a wonderfully ethereal atmosphere. Be sure to stop by after dark if you can't make it during the day - both options are beautiful!
Admission to the event is free of charge.