In Kyoto city, there is a famous temple for lotus at the middle point to Arashiyama. Just get off at JR Hanazono station.
The pond in the precinct is covered with lotus leaves at this time like a jungle. There a lot of buds were found so the flowering is expectable from now. And it will continue till the beginning of August.
Very very hot summer in Kyoto, but lotus has been in good condition in bloom.
There look a feeling of coolness to appreciate, but to climb up to the hillside you will sweat considerably.
Mitarashi Matsuri is the shinto ritual to pray for good health and longevity with a candle by immersing your feet in the water of the pond in the precinct at the Shimogamo Jinjya Shrine. And is held about ten days from the day of ”Doyo-no-ushi" each year.
For 2018 ”Doyo-no-Ushi" is July 20th. So this festival is held July 20th - 29th. 9 am to 9 pm.
Incidentally ”Doyo-no-Ushi" is known as the Midsummer Day of the Ox which traditionally falls around the end of July on the ancient Japanese calendar. You might already know that is the day to eat "Unagi"(Eel) in Japanese custom.
Although it is not well known, there is a neat hydrangea garden behind the main hall of "Shinnyo-do Temple" (entrance free). Still in full bloom. It is a hydrangea spot that is still in time.
"Yokokuji-Temple" is the best recommended spot in the hydrangea season. However the traffic access is not so good, it is absolutely worth going.
At this time, not only hydrangea but also ”bellflower” is in bloom with remarkable beauty. And is the garden of Tentokuin temple, one of the sub-temples of Tofukuji temple, is known as the blooming garden of bellflower and is open to the public only during the blooming season.
The period of this year(2018) : 6. 25 (Mon) - 7.10 (Tue)
Admission fee : 500JPY
About Tentokuin temple :
http://www.tentokuin.jp/tera/index.html
"Tsu-yu"(Rainy Season) at Mimurotoji Temple, here appears an Ajisai(Hydrangea) blue world. This temple located at south side of Kyoto has a very famous garden where 10,000-Hydrangea are planted at.
The lotus flowers are famous too. Their season are in July.[/caption]
Sanzen-in temple located in the countryside in the northern part of Kyoto City is a little far but worth a visit.
