To get to Minamizawa Ajisai Mountain from central Tokyo involves a 75-minute train trip, starting with the Chūō line from the JR Shinjuku Station, with transfers to the Ōme and Itsukaichi lines, and ...

I understand “ajisai” (hydrangea) is called “suguku” in neighboring South Korea. Rendered into kanji, the word is written in two characters that stand for “water” and “chrysanthemum.” This makes sense ...

Cherry blossom season is painfully short, so it’s only natural to feel a little bummed when it ends. Not only is it sad to see the flowers go, but so many delicious limited-time sakura desserts ...

Hydrangeas, also known as ajisai in Japanese, are commonly associated with the onset of the rainy season – just like cherry blossoms are with spring. Their vivid blue, purple, pink, or even snow-white ...

Hydrangeas in Japan have become a symbol of the country’s rainy season, blooming mainly from June to July. Although they were once little loved and considered to be unlucky, Western appreciation ...

While the ongoing rainy season means staying indoors to some people, for others, it is a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful tapestry of ajisai (hydrangeas), whose colors vary from white to blue ...

The scenic railway winds through Japan’s mountain valleys lined with colorful flowers. Kristine Hansen is a design, food and drink, and travel writer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She often seeks out ...