After sakura, my favorite flower that blooms in abundance in Japan is ajisai (hydrangea). You can see them all over Japan, and there are farms and festivals dedicated to their arrival. I had previously been to the Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri in Tokyo, but wanted to find something outside of Tokyo that would have less people and I came across the Hattori Farm Hydrangea Mansion in Chiba. I have been to this farm twice, once by public transit and once by car. It is quite a journey by public transit, but it is doable and I do think it's worth it. You will have to also take a taxi from the closest station (Mobara Station).
Where: Hattori Farm Hydrangea Mansion 719 Sangaya, Mobara, Chiba 297-0042
When: From early June to early July
How much: Adults 500JPY, Children 200JPY
Website (Japanese): http://ajisaiyashiki.la.coocan.jp/
*Please check their website or Google Maps for their opening hours
The entrance to the farm has a little fruit and vegetable market, and some fruits and sweets that you can eat on-site (like this cantaloupe).
You climb up a winding path that goes in and out of the surrounding forest. This garden has around 10,000 shrubs, and 300 different varieties of hydrangea!
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