Hydrangea on Oike street, Kyoto

Did you know that there is a famous hydrangea spot in the heart of Kyoto, on Oike Street?

When it comes to hydrangea spots in Kyoto, Mimurotoji Temple, Yoshimine-dera Temple, and Fujinomori Shrine are well-known.

However, you can also see beautiful hydrangeas around Oike Junior High School and the Kyoto Hotel Okura from late May to June every year.

Popular spot for hydrangeas Oike Street

Oike Street is the main street connecting the east and west sides of Kyoto, under which the Kyoto Subway Tozai Line runs.

It is a wide road with three lanes in each direction and is also the route for the Jidai Festival and Gion matsuri parades.

he sidewalks on Oike Street are wide, and the beautiful flowers in the trees and flowerbeds create a welcoming atmosphere for passersby.

The flowerbeds in front of Oike Junior High School and the Kyoto Hotel are especially popular for hydrangeas.

Many hotels are located around Oike Street, and in June, when the hydrangeas are at their best, foreign tourists often come to see them and take pictures with their smartphones.

The blue hydrangeas are very photogenic, and tourists often take pictures of them to post on Instagram.

The colorful hydrangeas along Oike Street are at their best during the rainy season.

Hydrangea in front of Oike Junior High School

On the north side of Oike Street, between Yanaginobaba Street and Tominokoji Street, pale blue Western hydrangeas are in bloom.

Many hydrangeas can be seen from Oike Junior High School to the area in front of Shinshindo.

Hydrangeas are usually round in shape, but I found a heart-shaped hydrangea.

The white Annabelle hydrangeas

On the south side of Oike Street, there are also different kinds of hydrangeas. One of them is a whitish hydrangea called “Annabelle,” which seems to bloom later than Western hydrangeas.

While the Oike Blue hydrangeas fade by the end of June, Annabelle hydrangeas are in full bloom around that time due to their later blooming period.

The white Annabelle hydrangeas remain in full bloom until early July.

Hydrangea in front of Kyoto Hotel Okura, Takasegawa

A five-minute walk east from Oike Junior High School leads to Kyoto City Hall and the Kyoto Hotel Okura.

In front of the Kyoto Hotel Okura, there are different kinds of hydrangeas, including blue lacecap hydrangeas and a few pink Western hydrangeas.

The hydrangeas in front of Kyoto Hotel Okura seem to have been trimmed recently, and their number has decreased.

Blooming Period and Best Viewing Time for Hydrangeas on Oike Street

The general hydrangea season is from the end of May to June, but the hydrangeas on Oike Street begin to bloom and start changing color in May.

These are hydrangeas in mid-May. They are still early in the season, so they show a mix of blue and green. From here, they gradually turn blue.

I love the gradual color change of hydrangeas and find the changing colors beautiful.

Best Viewing Time for Hydrangeas on Oike Street

June, during the rainy season, is the most beautiful time for hydrangeas. The hydrangeas turn beautiful shades of blue and pink, making it the best time to see them.

The hydrangeas on Oike Street are so beautifully blue that they are also known by the nickname “Oike Blue.”

By mid-June, after the peak viewing period, the “Oike Blue” hydrangeas start to fade.

By the end of June, the hydrangea viewing season is over. Let’s look forward to their bloom again next year.

Kyoto Cafe: Shinshindo Oike Store

If you feel tired from viewing the hydrangeas and need a break, we recommend the bakery “Shinshindo Oike Store,” located in front of Oike Junior High School.

Not only do they sell bread, but they also have an eat-in space where you can enjoy your time like at a cafe. They offer a variety of breakfast and lunch menus.

There are outdoor seats as well, so you can enjoy your tea while gazing at the hydrangeas.

If you have a chance to visit Oike-dori in June, please come and see the hydrangeas.

How to access the hydrangeas on Oike Street

The main hydrangea viewing spot on Oike Street is in front of Oike Junior High School. The nearest station is Karasuma-Oike Station on either the Karasuma or Tozai subway lines, about a 5-minute walk away.

Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae on the Tozai Subway Line is about the same distance away. If you are going by bus, the nearest bus stop is Sakaimachi Oike Bus Stop.

The closest station to the hydrangeas near Kyoto Hotel Okura is Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae on the Tozai Subway Line. There are many buses available, and the Kawaramachi Sanjo Bus Stop is only a few minutes walk away.

Information on Hydrangea on Oike street

Name	Hydrangea on Oike street
Address	Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Japan（Shinshindo – Oike）
Fee	Free (Open to the public)
Access	5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Subway 1-minute walk from Sakaimachi Oike Bus Stop served by Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus

Japanese Article : 京都 御池通りのあじさい