4 Great Spots for Water Lilies and Lotuses in Kyoto Prefecture
June and July are the season for water lilies and lotuses. These refreshing flowers blow away the dampness of the rainy season!
Here are four of favorite spots to enjoy water lilies and lotus flowers in Kyoto Prefecture
“Kyoto by the Sea” Region: Miyazu Aquatic Animal and Plant Park – Lotus Village.
This botanical park was created by local residents. In July, both water lilies and lotus flowers are at their best and in full bloom♪ In addition to seeing approximately 800 lotus plants, visitors can enjoy other unique experiences such as lotus wine tasting. At the end of July, there will be a lotus viewing event with food trucks and goods for sale.
“Woodland Kyoto” Region: Gokurakuji Temple, Ayabe City
This temple is famous for the super rare Ooga lotus, an ancient Japanese species. The Ooga Lotus was rediscovered after a single seed was discovered by the late Dr. Oga in 1951. Dating from over 2,000 years ago, The seed miraculously grew into a lotus and bloomed.
Kyoto Otokuni Bamboo Grove Region: Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine Hachijogaike Pond (Nagaokakyo) and Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art (Oyamazaki)
In these two places, you can enjoy the beauty of the “Sai-ko Uren” Lotus, a Chinese variety that blooms a little later than water lilies and has a rounder shape. Also, at the Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art, you can see a series of paintings by Monet called 《Water Lilies.》 A perfect combination.
Kyoto Tea Country Region: Uji Botanical Garden, Uji City
The Uji Botanical Garden is home to a large number of lotuses (about 170 species). It even has 90 species derived from the now lost Ogura Pond next to Byodoin Temple. In fact, it was said that Byodoin Temple, which features on the 10 yen coin, was built where it is to look out over the massive Ogura Pond. Unfortunately the pond was filled in to make more farmland during the late 1930’s. Furthermore, you can enjoy a wide variety of water lilies (about 20 species) and other flowers. So if you want just a sheer number of flowers, this is the place for you!
Both lotus flowers and water lilies bloom in the morning and close in the afternoon. This means that you can see these beautiful flowers and avoid the afternoon heat. So why not enjoy a cool summer’s morning visiting one of these places.
Photos courtesy of Miyazu City, Ayabe City Tourism Association, Nagaokakyo City, Uji Botanical Garden, and Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art