In Japan, June is known as the month of the rainy season called “Tsuyu (梅雨)”, also (literally) translated as “Plum rain”. Starting from early May in Okinawa and early June in other regions, the rainy season usually lasts about a month. Because of the unstable weather, some overseas tourists tend to avoid traveling to Japan in June. In this article, however, we will introduce how you can actually make your trip special during this humid season!
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Hydrangeas (Ajisai 紫陽花) Spots
During June in Japan, there are some seasonal flowers blooming on streets and at many sightseeing spots. Among them, hydrangeas or “Ajisai (紫陽花)” are signature flowers which have long brightened people’s minds in the dingy weather (of June), and there are many spots and events featuring hydrangeas that always gather lots of people each year.
Hydrangea Temples
There are a lot of temples across Japan which plant hydrangea flowers inside the precincts, collectively called “Hydrangea Temples (Ajisai Dera)”. Vivid yet somehow tinged with the melancholy of the rainy season, hydrangeas supply bright colors to historical temples and their perfect harmony attracts many tourists and local people. From North to South, here is a list of 7 popular “Hydrangea Temples”, which are the most likely to offer a beautiful view during June.
- Meigetsu-in Temple (Kamakura, Kanagawa)
- Hasedera (Kamakura, Kanagawa)
- Hondoji (Chiba)
- Shokaiji (Aichi)
- Mimurotoji (Uji, Kyoto)
- Yatadera (Nara)
- Gesshoji (Shimane)
Michinoku Hydrangea Garden (Iwate)
Located in Iwate Prefecture, Michinoku Hydrangea Garden takes up an area of 150,000 square meters and is recognized as one of the largest hydrangea viewing spots in Japan. With 40,000 plants of about 400 species, the hydrangeas are usually in bloom from late June to late July, and the Michinoku Hydrangea Festival is held during that period to entertain visitors even more. You can reserve a cart with a driver to tour the huge park, and they (or you) can also pick from three different routes to feel the nature of the forests.
- Ajisai Exhibition/Festival in 2023: June 24 (Sat) – July 24 (Mon)
- Open Hours: 8:00-17:00
- Access: Google Map
- Michinoku Hydrangea Garden Official Website (Japanese)
Hydrangea Train (Kanagawa)
If you already know Hakone is a famous onsen (hot spring) place located southwest of Tokyo, there’re a lot more. The Hakone Tozan Railway, which climbs up the steep Hakone mountains and takes about 40 minutes, turns into the “Hydrangea Train” during every rainy season. Hydrangeas lined up along the railroad tracks come into bloom from mid-June, which you can enjoy from the train windows. At night, the hydrangeas are illuminated delicately, and the train moves slowly and stops at six lighted spots along the route.
- The light-up period in 2023: June 15 (Thu) – July 9 (Sun)
- Access: 1.5 hours from Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto Station using limited express called “Romancecar”
- Hakone Tozan Train Official Website
Huis Ten Bosch (Nagasaki)
Although hydrangeas are native to Japan, some of their viewing spots offer a Western atmosphere especially when the spots are located in areas historically affected by Western culture. Huis Ten Bosch, a resort of flowers and lights, is a theme park built in 1992 in Nagasaki. The prefecture was deeply influenced by Dutch culture in the Edo period (1603-1867) especially during the period when Japan underwent a national seclusion policy called “Sakoku (鎖国)”. Huis Ten Bosch represents Nagasaki’s history and cultural influence by the Netherlands, and the Dutch-style architecture and vehicles have long attracted many Japanese people and recently foreign tourists alike. The park of 152 hectares (380 acres) holds vast gardens and strolling areas planted with a variety of seasonal flowers, including hydrangeas which usually bloom in early June. There are several other events scheduled during June 2023 other than the “Hydrangeas Festival”, including the “Miffy Celebration Parade” during the day and “Kingdom Lights” at night. If you feel that one day is not enough to fully enjoy the park, there are various types of hotels to stay at as well.
- “Hydrangeas Festival”: May 27 (Sat) – June 25 (Sun)
- Open Hours: 9:00-21:00 *Time slots slightly vary depending on the week
- Access: 5-minute walk from JR Huis Ten Bosch (Google Map)
- Huis Ten Bosch Official Website
Events and Festivals
Karuizawa Umbrella Sky 2023 (Nagano)
Feeling gloomy under the rainy conditions? These umbrellas will literally color the sky to cheer you up. The “Karuizawa Umbrella Sky” is an annual event held during the rainy season at a popular sightseeing spot called “HARUNIRE Terrace” in Karuizawa, known as a famous resort town in Nagano. Starting from June 2nd, the HARUNIRE Terrace, which has 16 stores and restaurants located there, is decorated with over 100 colorful floating umbrellas creating the “umbrella arcade”. During the event, there are various activities including a soap bubbles collaboration, ‘rainy art on the wooden floors’, and ‘night lights up’. Exclusive drinks and food menus featuring rainbow colors at restaurants and cafés are also available during the season. You might find yourself taking photos of every single thing that catches your eye.
- “Karuizawa Umbrella Sky 2023”: June 2 (Fri) – July 9 (Sun) 2023
- Open Hours: 8:00-22:00 (Last Entry 16:30)
- Soap Bubbles: 10:00 / 16:00 / 20:00
- Light-Up: 18:00-22:00
- Access: 17-minute walk from Naka-Karuizawa station (next stop from Karuizawa station (Google Map)
- HARUNIRE Terrace (Karuizawa Hoshino Area) Official Website
Sannō Festival (Matsuri)
Rain or shine, ‘Matsuri’ spirit never falters. Sannō Festival is known as one of the biggest Japanese festivals including Gion Festival in Kyoto, Tenjin Festival in Osaka and Kanda Festival in Tokyo. Continuing since the Edo period, the festival organized by Hie Shrine has probably lasted over 500 years and its main event is currently held every other year alternating with Kanda Festival. During the 10-day festival, various events such as “Kagura Bayashi” (Shinto music performance), kids’ parades and tea ceremony events are held. Although the highlight of the festival is “Shinko Matsuri”, a gorgeous procession in which people are dressed in traditional kimono with Mikoshi (miniature shrines) and Dashi (floats) alongside, it is unfortunately not planned to take place in 2023 (the next procession is scheduled in 2024). Still, it is worth experiencing this traditional cultural event in the middle of Tokyo metropolis.
- Access to Hie Shrine: 3-minute walk from Akasaka Station / Tameike Sannō Station (Google Map)
- Date: June 7 (Wed) – 17 (Sat)
- Sanno Festival Official Website (Japanese)
See also：The Five Most Popular Japanese Summer Festivals You Must Go To
Indoor Entertainment
Kabuki Plays
If you haven’t had a chance to go and watch a Kabuki play yet, June may be the best time. We have picked 5 all-time popular plays and 8 theaters across Japan, so you can search and choose the one that interests you. Before visiting the theater, you might want to read First 5 Things You Should Know About Kabuki to quickly learn about Kabuki’s history, the meaning of the costume and each role, and some manners when viewing these plays.
Anime & Manga Exploration
For an anime and manga fan, the first places we recommend you visit are museums featuring Japanese anime and manga. Among them, Ghibli Museum and Toei Animation Museum in Tokyo, Kadokawa Culture Museum in Saitama, and The Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum in Osaka are what we think are the best choices. Just want to stay at home under the rainy conditions? We have also listed up 12 all-time best Japanese manga works for you as well.
Traditional Art Museums
Nezu Museum (Tokyo)
Founded in 1941, the Nezu Museum exhibits and preserves pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art collected by Nezu Kaichirō. The museum holds some 7,400 works including seven National Treasures, 88 Important Cultural Properties, and 94 Important Art Objects! Not only the incredible collection but the facility itself including its garden is recognized as a work of art mixing traditional and modern Japanese taste, and the NEZUCAFÉ is the perfect place to rest yourself with a perfect view of the garden. During June in 2023, you can reserve a ticket to see the collection of Buddhist paintings and sculptures at the event named “Bodhisattva of Salvation – Art of Jizō -”.
- ““Bodhisattva of Salvation – Art of Jizō -”: May 27 (Sat) – July 2 (Sun) 2023
- Open Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Last Entry 16:30) *Closed on Mondays
- Access: 8-minute walk from Omotesandō station (Google Map)
- Nezu Museum Official Website
Hyakudan Kaidan in Hotel Gajoen (Tokyo)
Built in 1931, the old Gajoen was originally known as the Palace of the Dragon King of the Showa Era. Now as a luxury hotel rebuilt after the construction of a nearby Meguro River complex (?), the Hotel Gajoen holds restaurants, gardens and banquet halls with a fantastic mix of Japanese and Western taste. Among them, Hyakudan Kaidan, translated into “The hundred stairs”, and seven rooms along each landing are the only parts left from the old Gajoen and is designated as “Tokyo Metropolitan Area designated tangible cultural property”. Until mid-June in 2023, Hyakudan Kaidan is exhibiting a Taisho Romanticism-themed exhibition named “Taisho×Hyakudan Kaidan～The Romanticism of Taisho period～”. The event features literary works from the Taisho period (1912–1926), expressing each world (?) in three dimensions, and the works of cutting-edge illustrators inspired from the literary works of Osamu Dazai, Sakutaro Hagiwara, etc. There are many special ticket plans that include kimono dressing, lunch, afternoon tea, etc, allowing you to fully enjoy the Gajoen experience.
- “Taisho×Hyakudan Kaidan～The Romanticism of Taisho period～”: March 25 (Sat) – June 11 (Sun) 2023
- Open Hours: 11:00-18:00 (Last Entry 17:30)
- Access: 3 minutes’ walk from JR Meguro Station (Google Map)
- Hyakudan Kaidan Official Website
Summary
We have picked the 10 best things to do and places to visit in Japan during its the rainy season here. Whether you are a first-time visitor or have been a resident in Japan for a while, we’re sure you can enjoy “Japan in June” this year!
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